The North Fork of the Yuba River offers a variety of rapids from Class III to V, and many different options for trips, from wild one-day adventures to multi-day excursions. One of the most popular sections runs through Maytag rapid, a winding Class V that is only suitable for rafters with previous experience. Many combine the Maytag with the Rossasco Ravine section for a fourteen-mile whitewater thriller.

The North Fork Yuba raft trip floats through the heavily forested Tahoe National Forest, and its waters are fed by snowmelt from the high peaks of the Sierra Buttes.  This region gets a large amount of rainfall, and this, combined with the high elevation, creates a unique alpine lushness rarely seen in the rivers of Sierra Nevada. The scenery is characterized by mossy rocks, and stands of pine, fir and cedar.

Although it is close to the Bay Area, only three outfitters are permitted to run rafting trips on the North Fork Yuba, so it is still an uncrowded gem. Rafters can look forward to side trips in the historic gold mining towns of Downieville and Sierra City, and there is plenty of camping, restaurants and nice hotels in the area.