American Whitewater is proud to bring back the storied traditions of the annual Feather River Festival for 2022! This festival and fundraiser mark the annual celebration of American Whitewater’s stewardship work on the North Fork Feather River. At its core, it’s a celebration of AW’s successful efforts to restore ecological and recreational flows to the North Fork Feather River watershed and reconnect the community to this special place. The festival is put on through efforts of AW volunteers, Chico Paddleheads and the paddling community as a whole pitching in to support this amazing gathering.

This 3-day festival, September 23-25, 2022 brings together boaters who run every type of whitewater craft down three distinct sections of river: the fun Class III rapids of Roger’s Flat Section, the exciting Class IV on the Lobin Section, and finally the challenging Class V Tobin Section. The roadside access makes the festival an exciting event for aspiring boaters to paddle alongside some truly world class athletes.

Low flow releases on the North Fork Feather for Friday September 23 will provide boating opportunities for the early birds and recreational releases of 800 cfs will begin on Saturday September 24 and run through Sunday September 25. The Rock Creek Slalom is slated for Sunday and all paddlers can have fun on Saturday practice runs. Rafting Magazine will hold flat water clinics including a raft flip contest on Saturday.

All current American Whitewater members will have free admission to the Film Festival on Friday and the Feather Fest Party on Saturday. Donate, renew or sign up for a new AW membership to support our stewardship work and you will be entered into our drawing for a new drysuit or drytop.

On Friday night, American Whitewater will provide a Stewardship update and Rafting Magazine will make a special Make-A-Wish announcement. On Saturday night, Habanero’s Taqueria food truck arrives to feed the masses and Sierra Nevada and Mulberry Station will provide the beer. The band High Water Mark will get the grit and soul music started and DJ our after party.

As a fundraiser for American Whitewater, the Saturday night Silent Auction will have plenty of boats, gear and swag for bidding. There will also be vendor and sponsor booths from Cali Collective, Konkow Valley Maidu Tribe, Kokatat, NRS, Oregon River Gear, the River Store, Royal Paddles, Sotar, and Under the Falls.

Note: The American Whitewater Feather Festival Tobin Downriver Race has been cancelled for 2022 due to a lack of adequate insurance coverage. The reality, as we have discovered in today’s insurance market, is the coverage available for the Tobin Downriver Race is simply not enough to protect the core of what we do here at American Whitewater, our race participants, spectators, and our volunteers.

IMPORTANT DETAILS:

Where: The “Indian Jim” School and adjacent campground located at Plumas County mile marker 8.22 on Highway 70 near Tobin, CA. Search “Indian Jim Campground” on Google Maps for location.

Saturday Rafting Magazine Clinics will be held at the Indian Jim Campground and on the flat-water at the Rock Creek take-out. Participant fees will be $10. There will be a Raft Flip Challenge, a Swimmer Recovery Challenge, a Rescue Clinic, and a Reading Water Clinic. Times TBD.

Sunday Rock Creek Slalom Registration will be onsite ONLY at the Indian Jim Campground parking lot from 9-10:30 am. Race fees for individual participants are $10 for American Whitewater Members & $35 for Non-Members (fees will include AW membership).

As a reminder to be respectful of the homelands of the Konkow Valley Band of Maidu, the Feather River Festival is a LEAVE NO TRACE event. Please, pack it in and pack it out. There are no trash cans nor is there trash pick-up available at the event.

NO DRINKING WATER is available at the Festival, please BYO water.

There is FREE camping at the Festival site. Additional free camping is available one mile up-stream at Roger’s Flat or one mile down-stream at Tobin Vista. Parking is tight, carpool!

There is no shuttle service; however, there are hundreds of cool boater folks just like you… just meet your neighbor for guaranteed fun times and great boating!

NO OPEN FIRES! You are required to have a free permit from the forest service web site for using any camp stove. Get yours HERE.