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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 KgEMKq4clSUf7EjHdWtBTEDMfw/idddJzoKr5dfJhgxeEwQjU+g0lmPXr6zufYVZ
 wKiBHDHppvN4SXkprSMY5g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001019056-10-000924.txt : 20100723
<SEC-HEADER>0001019056-10-000924.hdr.sgml : 20100723
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100723134757
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001019056-10-000924
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100721
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100723
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100723

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Wright Philip
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001311024

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-31525
		FILM NUMBER:		10966981

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8979 CONTE LANE
		CITY:			WINDSOR
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95492

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AMERICAN RIVER BANKSHARES
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001108236
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				680352144
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3100 ZINFANDEL DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 450
		CITY:			RANCHO CORDOVA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95670
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9162316723

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3100 ZINFANDEL DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 450
		CITY:			RANCHO CORDOVA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95670

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	AMERICAN RIVER Bankshares
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20040528

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	AMERICAN RIVER HOLDINGS
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20000301
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-07-21</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001108236</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AMERICAN RIVER BANKSHARES</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>AMRB</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001311024</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Wright Philip</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1300 NORTH FITCH MOUNTAIN ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HEALDSBURG,</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>95448</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Director-American River Bank</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-07-21</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1430</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>60736</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Mr. Wright was awarded restricted shares of common stock that vest over one year.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Philip A. Wright</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-07-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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