Cache Creek Rumsey Run

The Low Down

Whitewater boating adventures down Cache Creek (Yolo County, northern California) offer a great way to cool off on a hot summer day. The Class II and Class III rapids provide excitement for kayakers, canoers and rafters. Runnable flows of 400 to 1000 cfs are common in summer, but check the flow before you go.

Getting There

The Rumsey Run of Cache Creek flows along Hwy 16 north and west of the town of Rumsey in the Capay Valley. You can take I-80 to I-505 in Vacaville. Take I-505 north until you reach the Woodland-Esparto exit. This will put you on Highway 16. Follow Highway 16 west through the small towns of Esparto and Guinda and then to the town of Rumsey.

Road Map and Driving Directions

River Finding

Various put-in and take-out sites along Cache Creek are located from Rumsey upstream to the Bear Creek confluence. Take-out at Rumsey Bridge, or the more commonly used takeout at Camp Haswell which is 3 miles upstream. Put-in at the Bear Creek confluence just north of the Colusa/Yolo County line, 8.5 miles upstream of Rumsey. The Cache Creek Canyon Regional Park upper, middle or lower sites can be used as put-ins or take-outs for shorter runs.

Waterway Resources

Helpful Hints

Though you're on the water (and perhaps in it depending on your skills), be prepared for the summertime heat. Wear sunglasses and a visor under your whitewater helmet. Use a strong waterproof sunscreen. Be sure to bring plenty of drinking water, but additional drinking water is available at the Cache Creek Canyon Regional Park middle site. Murky creek water is totally undrinkable!! Heavy metal pollution from mining upstream also puts a caution on eating of any fish that you catch.

The guidebook Paddling Northern California by Charlie Pike describes boating on the Rumsey Run and additional upstream and downstream sections of Cache Creek.

Activities allowed

Kayaking/Canoeing/Rafting, Fishing (with permit), Birdwatching, Camping.

External Links

• Stream flow information

• Topographic Map

• Paddling Northern California by Charlie Pike

• Cache Creek Recreation Directory