COLORADO RIVER RUNS

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Colorado is a mecca for whitewater enthusiasts, offering a wide range of thrilling river runs for all skill levels. One of the most popular destinations is the Arkansas River, particularly the Brown's Canyon section near Buena Vista. This 14-mile stretch features exciting Class III rapids surrounded by stunning Rocky Mountain scenery. Ideal streamflow levels for Brown's Canyon typically range from 700-3,000 cubic feet per second, providing a perfect balance of challenge and enjoyment. For a more adrenaline-pumping experience, the Numbers section of the Arkansas River offers intense Class IV-V rapids that will test even the most experienced paddlers.

Another must-visit spot for whitewater adventurers is Clear Creek, just a short drive from Denver. The Upper Clear Creek segment near Idaho Springs boasts thrilling Class IV rapids with continuous action from start to finish. With streamflow levels between 500-1,000 cubic feet per second, this run will keep your heart pounding and adrenaline flowing. Safety is paramount when exploring Colorado's whitewater, so be sure to always wear a properly fitted life jacket, helmet, and appropriate footwear. Additionally, it's recommended to paddle with a knowledgeable guide or experienced group, especially on more challenging runs. With its diverse array of river runs and breathtaking scenery, Colorado offers an unforgettable whitewater experience for kayakers and rafters alike.

       

Location Streamflow (cfs) Difficulty (class)
Headwaters To Confluence With Medano Creek
15 II-IV
Headwaters At Medano Lake To Ends On The Sand Sheet Past The Southern End Of The Dunes
4 II-III
Western Edge Of Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site To Eastern Edge Of Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
32 III
Headwaters To Ends 0.5 Miles Away From Trail Ridge Road
360 III+
Begins 0.5 Miles Away From Trail Ridge Road To Ends Where River Segment Exits Rocky Mountain National Park
-999 III
Headwaters To Ends 0.5 Miles Upstream From End Of Fern Lake Road
-999 III-IV
Headwaters To Boundary Of Rocky Mountain National Park
-999 II-III
Begins 0.5 Miles Upstream From End Of Fern Lake Road To Eastern Boundary Of Rocky Mountain National Park
360 IV-III
Headwaters To Fan Lake
-999 NONE
Headwaters To Ends 0.5 Miles Upstream From End Of County Hwy 115
7 III-IV
Headwaters To Confluence With Sand Creek
4 III-IV
Headwaters To The Mountain Front
4 II-IV
Mountain Front To Western Park Boundary
4 III-IV
Eastern Boundary Of Park To Western Park Boundary
4 IV
Begins 0.5 Miles Upstream From End Of County Hwy 115 To Eastern Boundary Of Rocky Mountain National Park
7 III-IV
Eastern Boundary Of Dinosaur National Monument To Confluence With Green River
326 III-IV+
Headwaters At Indian Spring To Ends Where The Creek Is Diverted Into Irrigation Ditches
4 III-IV
Curecanti National Recreation Area Boundary To High Water Line Of Blue Mesa Reservoir
64 III-IV
Curecanti National Recreation Area Boundary To High Water Line Of Morrow Point Reservoir
41 III-IV
The Southern Boundary Of The Black Canyon Gunnison National Monument To The Painted Wall
352 III-IV
The Painted Wall To The Black Canyon Gunnison National Monument Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Boundary
352 III-V
South Fork Sec 19, T35n, R4e To Sec 36, T35n, R4 1/2e
19 NONE
Middle Fork Headwaters To Weminuche Wilderness Boundary
2 III
Ef/Middle Fork At Weminuche Wilderness Boundary To Forest Development Road 631
209 NONE
Colorado Stateline To Nf Boundary
92 III-IV
Rio Nutritas To Stewart Meadows
92 III-IV
Headwaters To Rio San Antonio
92 III-IV
Sec 1, T33n, R3e To Confluence With East Fork Sec 17, T33n, R4e
39 III-IV
Dipping Lakes Sec 5, T33n, R4e To Confluence With West Fork Sec 17, T33n, R4e
39 NONE
Sec 30, T41n, R2e To Sec 11, T40n, R2e
84 III-IV
Source In Se 1/4 Sec 25, T10n, R75w To End Of The Four Wheel Drive Road East Of The Nf Poudre Campground (Nw 1/4 Of Sec 21, T10n, R74w
27 NONE
End Of Four Wheel Drive Road To Pearl Creek In Se 1/4 Sec 21, T10n, R74w
3 NONE
Pearl Creek To Junction Of Road West Of Creedmore Lakes In Sw 1/4 Sec 5, T10n, R73e
3 NONE
Fdr 631 To Indian Creek
113 III
Indian Creek To Co Hwy 160
113 NONE
Road West Of Creedmore Lakes To Junction Of Intermittent Stream In Sw 1/4, Sec 29, T11n, R72w
0 NONE
Intermittent Stream To Junction With Co Division Of Wildlife Angler Access Trail In Sw 1/4 Sec 22, T11n, R72w
0 NONE
Co Dow Anlger Access Trail To Nf Boundary On East Section Line, Sec 24, T11n, R72w
0 III-IV
Eleven Mile Canyon Dam To Private Land In Vicinity Of Lake George
139 III-IV
Private Land To Confluence With Beaver Creek
139 NONE
Beaver Creek To Cheeseman Reservoir
139 III-IV
Nf Boundary To East End Of Glenwood Canyon
1060 III-IV
Shoshone Power Plant To Nf Boundary
1060 III-IV
Jicarilla Apache Reservation Boundary To Nf Boundary
178 III-IV
Jicarilla Apache Reservation Boundary To Colorado Stateline
178 III-IV
Cheeseman Dam To Wigman Club
123 III-IV
Wigman Club To Strontia Reservoir
295 III-IV
North Fork Insmont To Estabrook
295 III-IV
Estabrook To Cliffdale
295 III-IV
Cliffdale To Confluence With South Platte
295 III-IV
Headwaters At Deep Lake Outlet To 1/4 Mile Downstream
688 NONE
1/4 Mile Below Headwaters To Deep Creek Diversion Ditch
688 NONE
Deep Creek Diversion Ditch To Blm/Private Land Boundary
688 NONE
Headwaters To Holy Cross Wilderness Boundary
13 NONE
North Fork Headwaters To Maroon Bells/Snowmass Wilderness Boundary
21 NONE
Maroon Bells/Snowmass Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With South Fork
21 NONE
South Fork Headwaters To Beaver Lake
21 III-IV
Beaver Lake To Sweet Jessup Headgate
52 III-IV
Headwaters To Flat Tops Wilderness Boundary
248 III/IV-III/IV
Flat Tops Wilderness Boundary To Nf Boundary
248 III-IV
West Section Line Sec 2, T38n, R16w (Below Mcphee Reservoir) To Bradfield Ranch Bridge
52 III-IV
Bradfield Ranch Bridge To Dissappointment Creek
20 III
Dissappointment Creek To Little Gypsum Valley Bridge
20 III-IV
Little Gypsum Valley Bridge To One Mile Above Hwy 90 Bridge
23 III-IV
West Dolores Source To Confluence With Mainstem
52 III-IV
Headwaters To Los Pinos
92 II-III
Tierra Amarilla Grant Boundary To Colorado Stateline
92 III
Roaring Fork (West Section Line Sec 28 T9n, R82w); Red Canyon (Nw1/4 Sec 5, T8n, R82w) To East Section Line Sec 34, T9n, R82w
16 NONE
South Sec Line, Sec 2, T11n, R80w To Co/Wy Stateline
109 NONE
Headwaters Of North, Middle And South Forks To Confluence Of South Fork With Encampment River
16 II-III
South Section Line Sec 34, T1n, R83w To Confluence With Decker Creek
414 III-IV
Lake Fork Confluence With South Fork To 1 Mile Below Town Of Platoro
19 III-IV
Sec 17, T35n, R4e To Sec 36, T35n, R4e
19 NONE
Sec 23, T32n, R5e To Sec 20, T32n, R6e (Co/Nm State Line)
92 NONE
Lower Branch Sec 28, T33n, R3e; Upper Branch Sec 15, T33n, R3e To Sec 7, T32n, R4e
39 III-IV
Co/Wy Stateline To Douglas Creek
109 NONE
Flint Creek Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
42 III-IV
Rincon La Osa Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
2 III-IV
Rincon La Vaca Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
2 III-IV
Snowslide Canyon Creek Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
2 III-IV
Sierra Vandera Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
2 II-II
Below Rio Grande Reservoir (Sec 13, T40n, R4w) To Spring Creek (Sec 31, T41n, R2w)
2 III
Below Big Meadows Reservoir Dam To Sec 9 And 10, T39n, R3e
84 III-IV
Sec 10, T42n, R1e To Sec 13, T41n, R1e
205 III-IV
Confluence Of North, Middle And South Forks (Sec 4, T43n, R3e) To Nf Boundary (Sec 17, T44n, R4e)
37 III-IV
North Fork Sec 8, T35n, R2e To Confluence With Middle Fork
19 III-IV
Middle Fork Sec 13, T35n, R2e To Confluence Of Three Forks Sec 14, T35n, R3e
19 NONE
El Rito Azul Blue Lake (Sec 26, T35n, R3e) And Portion Of Conejos Above Platoro Reservoir To Upper Reach Of Platoro Reservoir Sec 6, T35n, R4e
19 IV-V
Confluence With Rincon La Vaca And North Fork To Northern Line Of Granite Peak Ranch
42 III-IV
Lake Creek Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
42 III-IV
Sec 9, T32n, R6e To Sec 22, T32n, R6e (Co/Nm State Line)
213 NONE
Yampa River Segment 3
64 III-IV
Yampa River Segment 2
638 III
Yampa River Segment 1
638 III-IV
Deep Creek Segment 2b
1910 III-IV
Deep Creek Segment 3
1910 III-IV
Coyote Wash
28 IV-V
La Sal Creek Segment 1
28 NONE
Ice Lake Creek Segment 1
28 IV
Lion Creek Segment 1
28 IV-V
Lion Creek Segment 2
28 III-IV
La Sal Creek Segment 2
28 III
Spring Creek
28 IV-V
La Sal Creek Segment 3
28 III
San Miguel River Segment 6
231 III-IV
San Miguel River Segment 5
209 III
Tabeguache Creek Segment 2
231 III-IV
Tabeguache Creek Segment 1
209 III-IV
North Fork Mesa Creek
264 III-IV
Dry Creek
209 NONE
Naturita Creek
335 III-IV
San Miguel River Segment 3
209 III-V
San Miguel River Segment 2
335 III+-IV
Beaver Creek
335 BEAVER-III
Saltado Creek
335 III-IV
Cottonwood Creek
171 NONE
Roubideau Creek Segment 2
171 III-IV
Potter Creek
171 III-V
Gunnison River Segment 2
924 III-IV
Deep Creek
66 III-IV
Lower Dolores River
9 II-III
West Beaver Creek
16 III-IV
Arkansas River Segment 1
192 III-IV
Arkansas River Segment 3
973 III-IV
Arkansas River Segment 2
738 III-IV
East Fork Arkansas River
5 IV-V
East Gulch
1030 III-IV
Fourmile Creek
16 III-IV
Pass Creek
973 III-IV
Grape Creek Segment 1
8 III-IV
Little High Creek
16 IV-IV
Eightmile Creek
16 NONE
Falls Gulch
922 III-IV
Grape Creek Segment 3
966 III-IV
Arkansas River Segment 4
1030 III
Rio Grande River Segment A
125 II-III
Rio Grande River Segment B
125 III-IV
Rio Grande River Segment C
153 II-IV
Ice Lake Creek Segment 2
28 NONE
Colorado River Segment 4
821 NONE
Animas River
563 III-IV
Colorado River Segment 5
821 III-IV
Colorado River Segment 7
1910 NONE
Mineral Creek
40 III-IV
Monitor Creek
171 IV-V
Roubideau Creek Segment 1
171 III
San Miguel River Segment 1
126 II-III
Grape Creek Segment 2
8 III-IV
Dolores River Segment 2
28 III-IV
Colorado River Segment 6
71 IV
Star Canyon, Colo. River Segment 2
3960 IV-V
Unknown
3960 NONE
Marble Canyon, Colo. River Segment 2
3960 III-IV
Colorado River
3960 III-IV
Little Dolores, Colo. River Segment 2
3960 II-III+
Big Creek
376 IV-V
Skull Creek
64 V-IV
Dolores River Mcphee To Bedrock Segment In Uncompahgre Field Office
28 II-IV
Dolores River Mcphee To Bedrock Segment In Tres Rios Field Office
181 III-IV
San Juan River
4 II-III