American River
The North Fork is the longest tributary of the American River, at . It begins at an elevation of about near Lake Tahoe in Placer County at Mountain Meadow Lake, just northeast of Granite Chief and immediately due west of Squaw Valley Ski Resort. It flows westward through remote wilderness areas.
Silver Fork American River
It begins in Amador County above Silver Lake near Kit Carson, just west of Kirkwood Mountain Resort, at an elevation of almost 8,000 feet. After exiting Silver Lake near Carson Pass Highway, Silver Fork American River flows west through El Dorado County in the Eldorado National Forest for almost four miles where it receives its main tributary, Caples Creek. For the remaining 8.5 miles, it flows northwest paralleling Silver Fork Road passing numerous campgrounds such as Caples Creek, Silver Fork, Silver Fork Ranch, Gray Rock, and China Flat. It finally joins the South Fork American River just west of the town of Kyburz.