Your Georgetown basecamp
Follow the trail.
Find your weekend.
Forest mornings, water days, Gold Country drives, live music, and nights at Foxy’s Pub.
Choose your pace
Do everything.
Or gloriously little.
Fox Sparrow sits outside historic Georgetown near the El Dorado National Forest. Build your stay around trails, lakes, rivers, OHV adventures, local history, and live music—or enjoy the quiet right here beneath the trees.
Lakes, reservoirs
& river days
Nearby recreation includes Stumpy Meadows Lake, Union Valley Reservoir, Ice House Reservoir, Loon Lake, Silver Lake, Hell Hole Reservoir, and multiple forks of the American River.
Access, activities, road conditions, and seasonal availability vary. Confirm current conditions before departing.
ForestTrails & mountain air
Explore the surrounding pines and use Fox Sparrow as a base for regional hiking and outdoor recreation.
At the resortPlay, gather, unwind
Playground, games, recreation space, live events, and the simple pleasure of being outside together.
Gold CountryHistoric Georgetown
Visit town, explore the surrounding region, and return to camp for an easy evening under the trees.
Aerial imagery: USGS · National Geospatial Program
American River rafting
Trade the trail
for whitewater.
Make Fox Sparrow your quiet mountain basecamp, then head out for a professionally guided day on one of California’s legendary whitewater rivers.
The South Fork is the approachable classic for many first-time rafters and families. The Middle and North Forks step up the intensity for stronger swimmers and more adventurous groups. Difficulty, minimum ages, and availability change with water conditions—always choose your trip directly with a permitted outfitter.
Guest-approved local outfitters
Choose your
river crew.
These four companies combine current California State Parks permits with the strongest independent guest ratings we found. Fox Sparrow does not operate or sell these excursions—we’re simply helping guests find a reputable starting point.
Best for flexible trip choices
H2O Adventures
Half-day, full-day, and overnight South Fork trips, plus Middle Fork options for groups ready to turn up the challenge.
Explore H2O trips →Best for a polished outpost
OARS
Established, family-run American River trips with half-day, full-day, and two-day South Fork options from its Lotus outpost.
Explore OARS trips →Best for camp-and-raft energy
Whitewater Excitement
More than four decades on the river, with South and Middle Fork outings and multi-day combinations for families and groups.
Explore Whitewater Excitement →Best for stepping up
American Whitewater Expeditions
Beginner-friendly South Fork trips and more demanding Middle and North Fork possibilities through an experienced Coloma operator.
Explore AWE trips →Ratings are a Tripadvisor snapshot checked July 2026. Trip schedules, prices, river difficulty, minimum ages, and operating conditions can change. Confirm all details directly with the outfitter. View California State Parks’ current permitted-outfitter list.
Water around Georgetown
Six lakes.
Four river adventures.
Lakes & reservoirs
Stumpy Meadows · Union Valley · Ice House · Loon Lake · Silver Lake · Hell Hole
Rivers
South Fork American · Rubicon · Middle Fork American · North Fork American
Make Fox Sparrow your basecamp