COLORADO RIVER RUNS

December 21 2024

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.

Kayak


Location Streamflow (cfs) Difficulty (class)
Headwaters To Confluence With Medano Creek
14 II-IV
Headwaters At Medano Lake To Ends On The Sand Sheet Past The Southern End Of The Dunes
-999 II-III
Western Edge Of Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site To Eastern Edge Of Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
73 III
Headwaters To Ends 0.5 Miles Away From Trail Ridge Road
426 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
426 IV-III
Headwaters To Fan Lake
-999 NONE
Headwaters To Ends 0.5 Miles Upstream From End Of County Hwy 115
3 III-IV
Headwaters To Confluence With Sand Creek
-999 III-IV
Headwaters To The Mountain Front
-999 II-IV
Mountain Front To Western Park Boundary
-999 III-IV
Eastern Boundary Of Park To Western Park Boundary
-999 IV
Begins 0.5 Miles Upstream From End Of County Hwy 115 To Eastern Boundary Of Rocky Mountain National Park
3 III-IV
Eastern Boundary Of Dinosaur National Monument To Confluence With Green River
394 III-IV+
Headwaters At Indian Spring To Ends Where The Creek Is Diverted Into Irrigation Ditches
-999 III-IV
Curecanti National Recreation Area Boundary To High Water Line Of Blue Mesa Reservoir
78 III-IV
Curecanti National Recreation Area Boundary To High Water Line Of Morrow Point Reservoir
67 III-IV
The Southern Boundary Of The Black Canyon Gunnison National Monument To The Painted Wall
473 III-IV
The Painted Wall To The Black Canyon Gunnison National Monument Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Boundary
473 III-V
South Fork Sec 19, T35n, R4e To Sec 36, T35n, R4 1/2e
14 NONE
Middle Fork Headwaters To Weminuche Wilderness Boundary
-999 III
Ef/Middle Fork At Weminuche Wilderness Boundary To Forest Development Road 631
69 NONE
Colorado Stateline To Nf Boundary
110 III-IV
Rio Nutritas To Stewart Meadows
110 III-IV
Headwaters To Rio San Antonio
110 III-IV
Sec 1, T33n, R3e To Confluence With East Fork Sec 17, T33n, R4e
28 III-IV
Dipping Lakes Sec 5, T33n, R4e To Confluence With West Fork Sec 17, T33n, R4e
28 NONE
Sec 30, T41n, R2e To Sec 11, T40n, R2e
-999 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
-999 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
55 III
Indian Creek To Co Hwy 160
55 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
144 III-IV
Private Land To Confluence With Beaver Creek
144 NONE
Beaver Creek To Cheeseman Reservoir
144 III-IV
Nf Boundary To East End Of Glenwood Canyon
1260 III-IV
Shoshone Power Plant To Nf Boundary
1260 III-IV
Jicarilla Apache Reservation Boundary To Nf Boundary
146 III-IV
Jicarilla Apache Reservation Boundary To Colorado Stateline
146 III-IV
Cheeseman Dam To Wigman Club
163 III-IV
Wigman Club To Strontia Reservoir
306 III-IV
North Fork Insmont To Estabrook
306 III-IV
Estabrook To Cliffdale
306 III-IV
Cliffdale To Confluence With South Platte
306 III-IV
Headwaters At Deep Lake Outlet To 1/4 Mile Downstream
911 NONE
1/4 Mile Below Headwaters To Deep Creek Diversion Ditch
911 NONE
Deep Creek Diversion Ditch To Blm/Private Land Boundary
911 NONE
Headwaters To Holy Cross Wilderness Boundary
225 NONE
North Fork Headwaters To Maroon Bells/Snowmass Wilderness Boundary
8 NONE
Maroon Bells/Snowmass Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With South Fork
8 NONE
South Fork Headwaters To Beaver Lake
8 III-IV
Beaver Lake To Sweet Jessup Headgate
45 III-IV
Headwaters To Flat Tops Wilderness Boundary
279 III/IV-III/IV
Flat Tops Wilderness Boundary To Nf Boundary
279 III-IV
West Section Line Sec 2, T38n, R16w (Below Mcphee Reservoir) To Bradfield Ranch Bridge
65 III-IV
Bradfield Ranch Bridge To Dissappointment Creek
30 III
Dissappointment Creek To Little Gypsum Valley Bridge
30 III-IV
Little Gypsum Valley Bridge To One Mile Above Hwy 90 Bridge
49 III-IV
West Dolores Source To Confluence With Mainstem
65 III-IV
Headwaters To Los Pinos
110 II-III
Tierra Amarilla Grant Boundary To Colorado Stateline
110 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
8 NONE
South Sec Line, Sec 2, T11n, R80w To Co/Wy Stateline
84 NONE
Headwaters Of North, Middle And South Forks To Confluence Of South Fork With Encampment River
8 II-III
South Section Line Sec 34, T1n, R83w To Confluence With Decker Creek
396 III-IV
Lake Fork Confluence With South Fork To 1 Mile Below Town Of Platoro
14 III-IV
Sec 17, T35n, R4e To Sec 36, T35n, R4e
14 NONE
Sec 23, T32n, R5e To Sec 20, T32n, R6e (Co/Nm State Line)
110 NONE
Lower Branch Sec 28, T33n, R3e; Upper Branch Sec 15, T33n, R3e To Sec 7, T32n, R4e
28 III-IV
Co/Wy Stateline To Douglas Creek
84 NONE
Flint Creek Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
40 III-IV
Rincon La Osa Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
-999 III-IV
Rincon La Vaca Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
-999 III-IV
Snowslide Canyon Creek Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
-999 III-IV
Sierra Vandera Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
-999 II-II
Below Rio Grande Reservoir (Sec 13, T40n, R4w) To Spring Creek (Sec 31, T41n, R2w)
-999 III
Below Big Meadows Reservoir Dam To Sec 9 And 10, T39n, R3e
-999 III-IV
Sec 10, T42n, R1e To Sec 13, T41n, R1e
-999 III-IV
Confluence Of North, Middle And South Forks (Sec 4, T43n, R3e) To Nf Boundary (Sec 17, T44n, R4e)
55 III-IV
North Fork Sec 8, T35n, R2e To Confluence With Middle Fork
14 III-IV
Middle Fork Sec 13, T35n, R2e To Confluence Of Three Forks Sec 14, T35n, R3e
14 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
14 IV-V
Confluence With Rincon La Vaca And North Fork To Northern Line Of Granite Peak Ranch
40 III-IV
Lake Creek Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
40 III-IV
Sec 9, T32n, R6e To Sec 22, T32n, R6e (Co/Nm State Line)
117 NONE
Yampa River Segment 3
7 III-IV
Yampa River Segment 2
191 III
Yampa River Segment 1
191 III-IV
Deep Creek Segment 2b
1700 III-IV
Deep Creek Segment 3
1700 III-IV
Coyote Wash
55 IV-V
La Sal Creek Segment 1
55 NONE
Ice Lake Creek Segment 1
55 IV
Lion Creek Segment 1
55 IV-V
Lion Creek Segment 2
55 III-IV
La Sal Creek Segment 2
55 III
Spring Creek
55 IV-V
La Sal Creek Segment 3
55 III
San Miguel River Segment 6
56 III-IV
San Miguel River Segment 5
4 III
Tabeguache Creek Segment 2
56 III-IV
Tabeguache Creek Segment 1
4 III-IV
North Fork Mesa Creek
90 III-IV
Dry Creek
4 NONE
Naturita Creek
94 III-IV
San Miguel River Segment 3
4 III-V
San Miguel River Segment 2
94 III+-IV
Beaver Creek
94 BEAVER-III
Saltado Creek
94 III-IV
Cottonwood Creek
551 NONE
Roubideau Creek Segment 2
551 III-IV
Potter Creek
551 III-V
Gunnison River Segment 2
836 III-IV
Deep Creek
30 III-IV
Lower Dolores River
52 II-III
West Beaver Creek
9 III-IV
Arkansas River Segment 1
30 III-IV
Arkansas River Segment 3
430 III-IV
Arkansas River Segment 2
291 III-IV
East Fork Arkansas River
5 IV-V
East Gulch
582 III-IV
Fourmile Creek
9 III-IV
Pass Creek
430 III-IV
Grape Creek Segment 1
26 III-IV
Little High Creek
9 IV-IV
Eightmile Creek
9 NONE
Falls Gulch
474 III-IV
Grape Creek Segment 3
508 III-IV
Arkansas River Segment 4
582 III
Rio Grande River Segment A
58 II-III
Rio Grande River Segment B
58 III-IV
Rio Grande River Segment C
69 II-IV
Ice Lake Creek Segment 2
55 NONE
Colorado River Segment 4
1230 NONE
Animas River
144 III-IV
Colorado River Segment 5
1230 III-IV
Colorado River Segment 7
1700 NONE
Mineral Creek
16 III-IV
Monitor Creek
551 IV-V
Roubideau Creek Segment 1
551 III
San Miguel River Segment 1
30 II-III
Grape Creek Segment 2
26 III-IV
Dolores River Segment 2
55 III-IV
Colorado River Segment 6
13 IV
Star Canyon, Colo. River Segment 2
3890 IV-V
Unknown
3890 NONE
Marble Canyon, Colo. River Segment 2
3890 III-IV
Colorado River
3890 III-IV
Little Dolores, Colo. River Segment 2
3890 II-III+
Big Creek
64 IV-V
Skull Creek
7 V-IV
Dolores River Mcphee To Bedrock Segment In Uncompahgre Field Office
55 II-IV
Dolores River Mcphee To Bedrock Segment In Tres Rios Field Office
74 III-IV
San Juan River
41 II-III
       

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