Virgin River river run
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Virgin River
The segment mileage for the Virgin River run is approximately 16 miles, starting at the town of Virgin and ending in the Zion National Park. The specific river rapids and obstacles include "The Pumphouse" (Class II), "The Narrows" (Class III-IV), and "Black Rock" (Class IV). It is important to note that the Virgin River is a delicate ecosystem, and visitors are expected to practice Leave No Trace principles and avoid disturbing the natural habitat.
Specific regulations to the area include obtaining a permit to access the Zion National Park, as well as following the park's guidelines for river use. The National Park Service also requires all visitors to have a personal flotation device and to wear it at all times while on the river. Additionally, camping is not allowed along the river corridor, and fires are only permitted in designated areas.
Overall, the Virgin River offers a unique whitewater experience with beautiful scenery, technical rapids, and specific regulations to protect the environment. Visitors should plan accordingly and follow all guidelines to ensure the safety of themselves and the ecosystem.
Plan your run down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram; rain ahead of a run typically lifts flows 12-48 hours later depending on the basin.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.
Regional streamflow levels
USGS streamgauges around Virgin River -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Virgin River Ab La Verkin Creek Nr La Verkin | 33 cfs | → |
| Virgin River Ab Quail Creek Near Hurricane | 37 cfs | → |
| Virgin River Near Hurricane | 40 cfs | → |
| Leeds Creek Near Leeds | 4 cfs | → |
| Virgin River At Virgin | 54 cfs | → |
| Santa Clara River Near Pine Valley | 6 cfs | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest boat launches, other paddle runs, and campgrounds so a day on the water can grow into a full weekend.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Sand Cove Primitive Camping Area
- Quail Creek State Park
- Camping Spot
- Red Cliffs
- Red Cliffs Campground
- Washington County Regional Park
Whitewater safety
- Check the flow before you run
- Use the linked-gauge card and Regional Flow panel above. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV+ at high water.
- Know your skill ceiling
- Pick runs comfortably below your ceiling. Cold-water and big-water runs raise the consequences of any mistake.
- Wear the right gear
- Helmet, PFD, drysuit / wetsuit when water is below 60°F. Throw bag, knife, and whistle on your person, not in the boat.
- Scout, set safety, and run with a team
- Scout new rapids on foot, set safety with throw bags above the consequence pool, and run with at least one other competent paddler.
- Respect the river
- Strainers, undercuts, low-head dams, and wood can kill at any class rating. When in doubt, portage.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Virgin River as a favorite, set a discharge threshold (e.g. "alert me when flow hits 600 cfs"), and the iOS app pushes the moment the linked gauge crosses.
About Virgin River
What's the optimal flow for Virgin River?
The optimal flow depends on the section and the craft. Check the Run Details panel for the linked gauge and current status.
How fresh is the cfs reading on this page?
The linked USGS streamgauge reports continuously (every 15 minutes); Snoflo refreshes throughout the day. Hover the streamflow sparkline to read individual datapoints.
What's the whitewater class?
See the Run Details panel for the class rating Snoflo tracks for this run. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV in high water.
Where do I put in / take out?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions to the put-in. For shuttle planning, check the Nearby Boat Launches panel and the river run operator's site.
Can I get alerts when flows hit the optimal range?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this run, set a discharge threshold, and you'll get a push the moment the gauge crosses.
Other runs near here
Snoflo-tracked paddle runs within driving distance of Virgin River.