River runs

Arizona river runs

Live streamflow, whitewater class, and length for every paddleable section in Arizona with a named USGS gauge. Built for kayakers, rafters, and canoeists.

Runs in Arizona
152
Class range
I–V
Across the U.S.
331
Updated
May 20
Open the Arizona paddle layer on the map Whitewater + paddle runs filtered to Arizona.
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May
20
2026
River runs
Arizona is a whitewater enthusiast's dream, with a variety of rivers offering thrilling adventures for all skill levels. One of the most popular destinations is the Salt River, known for its challenging rapids and stunning desert scenery. The Upper Salt River, with class III-IV rapids, is a favorite among experienced paddlers, while the Lower Salt River offers a more mellow experience suitable for beginners. Recommended streamflow levels for the Salt River are around 1,000-2,000 cfs for optimal conditions.

Another must-visit spot is the Verde River, known for its diverse wildlife and lush riparian corridors. The Verde offers a range of experiences, from gentle float trips to more challenging class III rapids. The best time to paddle the Verde is during the spring months when water levels are higher. Safety tips for Arizona whitewater adventures include always wearing a helmet and life jacket, checking water levels before heading out, and being aware of potential hazards such as strainers and undercut rocks. With its beautiful scenery and thrilling rapids, Arizona is a top destination for whitewater and kayaking enthusiasts looking for an unforgettable adventure.
Full directory

Arizona river runs

Every paddleable section in Arizona keyed to a named USGS gauge. Sortable, quickly filterable. Tap any one for current discharge and the gauge it reports off.

152 entries
River run Streamflow Class
The Border Of Np Land And Navajo & Hopi Tribal Lands. To Confluence With The Colorado River 211 cfs III-IV
Park Boundary To Confluence With The Colorado River 4 cfs III-IV
Begins Just Over 1 Mile Beyond Where The Nankoweap Trails Leaves The Creek And Heads Off To The North. To Confluence With The Colorado River 211 cfs ·
Eastern Edge Of Kwagunt Valley (Past The Butte Fault) To Confluence With The Colorado River 211 cfs III
Begins 2.3 Miles Upstream From Confluence With Colorado River To Confluence With The Colorado River 6,900 cfs III-IV
Begins 1 Mile Below The Redwall In Both Of The Main Arms To Confluence With The Colorado River 6,900 cfs III-IV
Hermit Spring (Dripping Spring) To Confluence With The Colorado River 6,900 cfs III-IV
Begins 1.5 Miles Upstream From Confluence With Topaz Canyon Creek To Confluence With The Colorado River 6,900 cfs IV-III
Begins 0.5 Miles Upstream From The Confluence With The Colorado River To Confluence With The Colorado River 2 cfs III
Eastern Boundary Of Park (Original Park Boundary) To Western Boundary Of Park (Original Park Boundary) · III-IV
The Base Of The Redwall To Confluence With The Colorado River 76 cfs II-IV
Headwaters To Confluence With The Colorado River 5 cfs III-IV
The Redwall To Confluence With The Colorado River 6,900 cfs III-V
Begins 1 Mile Upstream From Confluence With Dragon Creek To Confluence With The Colorado River 211 cfs III-IV
Cheyava Falls To Confluence With The Colorado River 211 cfs III-IV
Lee's Ferry To Confluence With Nankoweap Creek 211 cfs III-IV
Western Boundary Of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area To Confluence With Willow Creek 8,660 cfs III-V
Tapeats Spring To Confluence With The Colorado River 5 cfs III-IV
Thunder Spring To Confluence With Tapeats Creek 5 cfs III-IV
Deer Spring To Confluence With The Colorado River 5 cfs III-IV
Confluence With Kanab Creek To Spencer Canyon 5 cfs ·
Begins 1.5 Miles Upstream From Confluence With The Colorado River To Confluence With The Colorado River 5 cfs ·
Greenland Spring (Elev. 8000') To Confluence With The Colorado River 211 cfs III-IV
Headwaters To Confluence With Bright Angel Creek 211 cfs III-V
Headwaters At South Canyon Spring To Confluence With The Colorado River 211 cfs III-V
Begins Just Downstream From South Canyon Creek Confluence To Ends 0.25 Miles Downstream From Beginning 211 cfs III
Begins 2 Miles Upstream From Confluence With The Colorado River To Confluence With The Colorado River 65 cfs III-IV
Southern Boundary Of Grand Canyon National Park To Confluence With The Colorado River 65 cfs III-V
The Base Of The Redwall To Confluence With Bright Angel Creek 211 cfs III-IV
Confluence With White Creek To Confluence With The Colorado River 76 cfs III-IV
Confluence With Nankoweap Creek To Red Canyon And The Beginning Of Upper Granite Gorge 211 cfs III-IV
First Major North Arm Of Lava Creek At The Base Of Chiavria Point To Confluence With The Colorado River 211 cfs III
Red Canyon To Confluence With Kanab Creek 6,900 cfs II-III
Headwaters Of The Northern Most Upper Drainage To Confluence With The Colorado River 5 cfs III-IV
Begins 0.5 Miles Upstream From The Confluence With The Colorado River C To Confluence With The Colorado River 76 cfs III-IV
The Headwaters Of The West Arm To Confluence With The Colorado River 6,900 cfs III-IV
Southern Border Of The Kaibab Paiute Indian Reservation To Confluence With The Colorado River 5 cfs III-IV
1/4 Mile South Of Forest Road 736 To Coronado National Forest Boundary 400 cfs ·
Canyon Creek Springs To Fort Apache Indian Reservation Boundary · III-III
Crossing Of Forest Road 96 To Coconino National Forest Boundary 5 cfs III-IV
Kaibab Nf/Blm Boundary Line To Kaibab Nf/Grand Canyon Np Boundary Line 5 cfs ·
Kp Trailhead To Private Land Boundary In Scetion 11, T2n,R30e,Gila And Salt River Meridian 23 cfs III-III
Below The Dam At Knoll Lake To Confluence With East Clear Creek 5 cfs III-IV
Headwaters To Confluence With Blue River 0 cfs II-III
Forest Road 329 To Billy Lawrence Creek 3 cfs III-IV
Billy Lawrence Creek To North Property Boundary Of Ellison Ranch 3 cfs II-III
Headwaters To Coronado National Forest Boundary 400 cfs III
Confluence With Turkey Creek To Forest Road 60 Just Above Tin Hat Ranch 0 cfs II-IV
Headwaters In Sec 14, T13n, R9e To Clear Creek Wilderness Boundary 5 cfs III-IV
0.1 Miles Above Fish Barrier To Confluence With Black River 7 cfs III-IV
Headwaters In Mount Baldy Wilderness To Wilderness Boundary 1 cfs IV-III
West Fork Little Colorado River 1 cfs II-III
Clear Creek Wilderness Boundary To Dispersed Camping Area At Clear Creek Campground 17 cfs III-V
0.1 Miles Below Lower Fish Barrier To 1/2 Mile Above West Fork Dispersed Campground 1 cfs ·
Forest Boundary To 0.15 Miles Below Forest Road 116 1 cfs III
Headwaters In Sec 14, T19n, R5e To Confluence With Oak Creek 29 cfs III-IV
Confluence Of East/West Forks To 1/4 Mile Above Wildcat Crssing Bridge 7 cfs ·
1/4 Mile Above Wildcat Crossing Bridge To 1/4 Mile Below Wildcat Crossing Bridge 7 cfs ·
Headwaters Within Wilderness To Wilderness Boundary · III-IV
Wilderness Boundary To Coronado National Forest Boundary · III/IV
Marshall Gulch Recreation Area To Wilderness Boundary · II-IV
1/4 Mile Downstream Of Wildcat Crossing Bridge To Nf Boundary 23 cfs ·
1/2 Mile Below Forest Road 475 To 0.76 Miles Above Confluence With San Francisco River 0 cfs ·
Confluence With Bear Creek To 1/4 Mile Above Blue Creek Trailhead 0 cfs ·
1/4 Mile Above Blue Creek Trailhead To 1/2 Mile Below Forest Road 475 0 cfs ·
Arnett Creek Forest Road #4 To Middle Of Sec 7,T2s, R12e 1 cfs III
Sterling Springs Fish Hatchery To Private Land In Sec 5, T17n,R6e 29 cfs III-V
Rock Springs To Confluence With Cottonwood Wash 0 cfs III-IV
Headwaters To 1/4 Mile Below Forest Road 587 23 cfs ·
Below Flow Structure In Sec 16, T12n,R11e To Confluence With Clear Creek 5 cfs III
Headwaters To Confluence With Turkey Creek 0 cfs III-IV
Confluence With Turkey Creek To Confluence With Blue River 0 cfs III-V
Boundary Of The Primary Jurisdiction Below Stewart Mountain Dam To Salt River Indian Reservation Boundary 560 cfs III-IV
Salt River Indian Reservation Boundary To Immediately Above Granite Reef Dam Impoundment 122 cfs III-IV
Headwaters To 1/4 Mile South Of Forest Road 736 · ·
Pinto Creek · III-IV
1/4 Mile Below Forest Road 587 To Sawmill Cabin 23 cfs ·
Sawmill Cabin To Confluence With Eagle River 23 cfs III-IV
Confluence Of The North And South Forks Bear Wallow Creek To 0.1 Mile Above Fish Barrier 23 cfs II-III
0.1 Mile Above Fish Barrier To Forest Boundary 23 cfs III-IV
Confluence With Boneyard Creek To Confluence With Coyote Creek 1 cfs IV-V
Confluence With Coyote Creek To 1/4 Mile Above Diamond Rock Campground 1 cfs ·
Headwaters In Mount Baldy Wilderness To 0.1 Miles Above Upper Fish Barrier 1 cfs III-V
Approximately 9 Miles Below The Headwaters At The West Boundary Of East Verde Park Estates To West Boundary Of L.F. Ranch 5 cfs III
West Boundary Of L.F. Ranch To Verde Wild And Scenic River 0 cfs II-IV
Forest Road 24 To 0.1 Miles Above Fish Barrier 23 cfs III-IV
State Highway 261 To 1/2 Mile Above Crosby Crossing 1 cfs ·
1/2 Mile Below Crosby Crossing To Confluence With Boneyard Creek 1 cfs ·
1/2 Mile Above Crosby Crossing To 1/2 Mile Below Crosby Crossing 1 cfs ·
Wet Beaver Creek Wilderness Boundary To Private Land In Sec 32, T15n, R6e 8 cfs III
1/4 Mile Below Wiggins Crossing To Confluence With Clear Creek 5 cfs ·
Red Creek To Southern Border Of Mazatzal Wilderness 86 cfs III-IV+
Southern Border Of Mazatzal Wilderness To Sheep Creek Bridge 86 cfs ·
Forest Road 486 To Hellsgate Wilderness Boundary 2 cfs III-IV
Confluence With Cocomunga Creek To Confluence With Gun Creek 2 cfs III-IV
Headwaters To Western Private Land Boundary In Section 4, T02s, R30e, Gila And Salt Meridian 0 cfs III-V
Eastern Private Land Boundary In Section 4, T02s, R30e, Gila And Salt Meridian To Confluence With Pigeon Creek 0 cfs ·
Xx To Confluence With East Eagle Creek 23 cfs III-IV
Hellsgate Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Tonto Creek 2 cfs III-V
1 Mile Below Az Highway 78 To 1/4 Mile Above The Powerlines 37 cfs ·
Headwaters To Confluence With West Fork Black River 1 cfs III-IV
1/4 Mile Below Forest Road 504 Crossing To Forest Boundary In Section 1, T14n, R15e, Gila And Salt River Meridian · ·
One Mile Below Woods Canyon Lake Dam (Woods Canyon) To Confluence With Chevelon Canyon 5 cfs III-IV
Confluence Of Woods Canyon And Chevelon Creek To South End Of Chevelon Lake · II-III
Prescott National Forest Boundary To North Edge Of Private Land In Sec 33, T17n, R3e, Near Clarkdale 71 cfs III-IV
Parsons Spring To Confluence Of The Verde River 58 cfs III-V
Cower Cave Creek Wilderness Boundary To Coronado National Forest Boundary (Near Portal) · III-V
Cima Creek Headwaters To Wilderness Boundary · III-IV
Ruby Road (Forest Road 39) To Us/Mexico Border 3 cfs ·
1/4 Mile Below Chevelon Lake Dam To 0.1 Miles Above Diversion At Durfee Crossing · ·
0.1 Miles Above Diversion At Durfee Crossing To 1/4 Mile Below Forest Road 504 Crossing · ·
Headwaters To Pusch Ridge Wilderness Boundary · III-IV
West Boundary Of Fort Apache Indian Reservation To Southwest Boundary Of Salt River Canyon Wilderness 85 cfs III-IV
Southwest Boundary Of Salt River Canyon Wilderness To State Highway 288 Bridge 85 cfs III-IV
Northeast Boundary Of Salt River Canyon Wildernes To West Boundary Of Fort Apache Indian Reservation 3 cfs III-IV
West Boundary Of San Carlos Indian Reservation To Northeast Boundary Of Salt River Canyon Wilderness 78 cfs IV
South Fork Little Colorado River 1 cfs III-IV
Telegraph Creek Forest Road #4 To Confluence With Arnett Creek 1 cfs III-IV
Pusch Ridge Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Cañada Del Oro · III-IV
Workman Falls To Salome Wilderness Boundary · III-IV
Northern Boundary Of Hellsgate Wilderness To Southern Boundary Of Hellsgate Wilderness 0 cfs III-V
Headwaters To Wilderness Boundary · III-IV
Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Cave Creek · III-IV
Headwaters In Sec 16, T15n, R8e To Wet Beaver Creek Wilderness Boundary 7 cfs III-IV
Headwaters To 1/4 Mile Above Az Highway 78 3 cfs ·
1/4 Mile Below Az Highway 78 To 1 Mile Below Az Highway 78 31 cfs ·
Salome Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Salome Creek · III-IV
Virgin River 62 cfs III-IV
Aravaipa Creek · III-IV
Bill Williams River 27 cfs II-III
Gila River (Gila Box) 1 cfs III-IV
Lousy Canyon 0 cfs ·
Santa Maria River · ·
Little Ash Creek 0 cfs IV
Agua Fria River 0 cfs II-III
Cienega Creek 0 cfs III
Big Sandy River 2 cfs III-IV
Larry Creek · III
Burro Creek · III-IV
Bishop Creek 0 cfs III
Ash Creek 0 cfs ·
Lousy Canyon Tributary 0 cfs IV-V
Paria River 5 cfs II-III
San Pedro River · II-III
Lower San Francisco River 16 cfs III-IV
Silver Creek 0 cfs SILVER-III
Tank Creek 0 cfs III+
Sycamore Creek 0 cfs III-IV
Gila River (Middle) 528 cfs III
Indian Creek 0 cfs IV-V
Bonita Creek 16 cfs II-III
Babocomari River 0 cfs II-III
River runs FAQ

About Arizona river runs

What does whitewater class mean?

The international whitewater scale (Class I–VI) rates a river's difficulty. I is moving water with riffles. II is straightforward rapids with clear channels. III requires complex maneuvers in fast water. IV is intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring decisive boat handling. V is extremely long, obstructed, or violent rapids with significant hazard. VI is considered impossible to run.

Where does the Arizona streamflow data come from?

USGS streamgauges. Each Arizona paddle run is keyed to a specific gauge that paddlers and outfitters have agreed represents flow on that section. Gauges report every 15 minutes; we re-pull throughout the day.

What's a runnable level?

Run-specific. A creek that's classic at 200 cfs might be too low at 100 and dangerously flooded at 1,000. Always cross-reference with a guidebook or a Arizona paddling club for the run's accepted gauge ranges before launching.

Can I get an alert when a run hits prime flow?

Yes. Save any paddle run as a favorite in the Snoflo iOS app, set a flow window (e.g. "alert me between 800 and 1,500 cfs"), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses into range. Free with a Snoflo account.

Is this a substitute for local guidebooks and trip leaders?

No. Snoflo is informational. Always carry appropriate skills, gear, and a sober assessment of the day's flow. For high-consequence runs (Class IV+), paddle with people who know the run and never solo. American Whitewater is the authoritative source for U.S. river information.

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