COLORADO RIVER RUNS

April 23 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.

Kayak

Location Streamflow (cfs) Difficulty (class)
Headwaters To Confluence With Medano Creek
17 II-IV
Headwaters At Medano Lake To Ends On The Sand Sheet Past The Southern End Of The Dunes
2 II-III
Western Edge Of Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site To Eastern Edge Of Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
145 III
Headwaters To Ends 0.5 Miles Away From Trail Ridge Road
39 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
39 IV-III
Headwaters To Fan Lake
-999 NONE
Headwaters To Ends 0.5 Miles Upstream From End Of County Hwy 115
5 III-IV
Headwaters To Confluence With Sand Creek
2 III-IV
Headwaters To The Mountain Front
2 II-IV
Mountain Front To Western Park Boundary
2 III-IV
Eastern Boundary Of Park To Western Park Boundary
2 IV
Begins 0.5 Miles Upstream From End Of County Hwy 115 To Eastern Boundary Of Rocky Mountain National Park
5 III-IV
Eastern Boundary Of Dinosaur National Monument To Confluence With Green River
2240 III-IV+
Headwaters At Indian Spring To Ends Where The Creek Is Diverted Into Irrigation Ditches
2 III-IV
Curecanti National Recreation Area Boundary To High Water Line Of Blue Mesa Reservoir
166 III-IV
Curecanti National Recreation Area Boundary To High Water Line Of Morrow Point Reservoir
76 III-IV
The Southern Boundary Of The Black Canyon Gunnison National Monument To The Painted Wall
449 III-IV
The Painted Wall To The Black Canyon Gunnison National Monument Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Boundary
449 III-V
South Fork Sec 19, T35n, R4e To Sec 36, T35n, R4 1/2e
124 NONE
Middle Fork Headwaters To Weminuche Wilderness Boundary
215 III
Ef/Middle Fork At Weminuche Wilderness Boundary To Forest Development Road 631
388 NONE
Colorado Stateline To Nf Boundary
368 III-IV
Rio Nutritas To Stewart Meadows
368 III-IV
Headwaters To Rio San Antonio
368 III-IV
Sec 1, T33n, R3e To Confluence With East Fork Sec 17, T33n, R4e
90 III-IV
Dipping Lakes Sec 5, T33n, R4e To Confluence With West Fork Sec 17, T33n, R4e
90 NONE
Sec 30, T41n, R2e To Sec 11, T40n, R2e
265 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
52 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
325 III
Indian Creek To Co Hwy 160
325 NONE
Road West Of Creedmore Lakes To Junction Of Intermittent Stream In Sw 1/4, Sec 29, T11n, R72w
24 NONE
Intermittent Stream To Junction With Co Division Of Wildlife Angler Access Trail In Sw 1/4 Sec 22, T11n, R72w
24 NONE
Co Dow Anlger Access Trail To Nf Boundary On East Section Line, Sec 24, T11n, R72w
24 III-IV
Eleven Mile Canyon Dam To Private Land In Vicinity Of Lake George
90 III-IV
Private Land To Confluence With Beaver Creek
90 NONE
Beaver Creek To Cheeseman Reservoir
90 III-IV
Nf Boundary To East End Of Glenwood Canyon
2460 III-IV
Shoshone Power Plant To Nf Boundary
2460 III-IV
Jicarilla Apache Reservation Boundary To Nf Boundary
421 III-IV
Jicarilla Apache Reservation Boundary To Colorado Stateline
421 III-IV
Cheeseman Dam To Wigman Club
150 III-IV
Wigman Club To Strontia Reservoir
259 III-IV
North Fork Insmont To Estabrook
259 III-IV
Estabrook To Cliffdale
259 III-IV
Cliffdale To Confluence With South Platte
259 III-IV
Headwaters At Deep Lake Outlet To 1/4 Mile Downstream
1580 NONE
1/4 Mile Below Headwaters To Deep Creek Diversion Ditch
1580 NONE
Deep Creek Diversion Ditch To Blm/Private Land Boundary
1580 NONE
Headwaters To Holy Cross Wilderness Boundary
39 NONE
North Fork Headwaters To Maroon Bells/Snowmass Wilderness Boundary
31 NONE
Maroon Bells/Snowmass Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With South Fork
31 NONE
South Fork Headwaters To Beaver Lake
31 III-IV
Beaver Lake To Sweet Jessup Headgate
180 III-IV
Headwaters To Flat Tops Wilderness Boundary
483 III/IV-III/IV
Flat Tops Wilderness Boundary To Nf Boundary
483 III-IV
West Section Line Sec 2, T38n, R16w (Below Mcphee Reservoir) To Bradfield Ranch Bridge
403 III-IV
Bradfield Ranch Bridge To Dissappointment Creek
12 III
Dissappointment Creek To Little Gypsum Valley Bridge
12 III-IV
Little Gypsum Valley Bridge To One Mile Above Hwy 90 Bridge
30 III-IV
West Dolores Source To Confluence With Mainstem
403 III-IV
Headwaters To Los Pinos
368 II-III
Tierra Amarilla Grant Boundary To Colorado Stateline
368 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
57 NONE
South Sec Line, Sec 2, T11n, R80w To Co/Wy Stateline
180 NONE
Headwaters Of North, Middle And South Forks To Confluence Of South Fork With Encampment River
57 II-III
South Section Line Sec 34, T1n, R83w To Confluence With Decker Creek
809 III-IV
Lake Fork Confluence With South Fork To 1 Mile Below Town Of Platoro
124 III-IV
Sec 17, T35n, R4e To Sec 36, T35n, R4e
124 NONE
Sec 23, T32n, R5e To Sec 20, T32n, R6e (Co/Nm State Line)
368 NONE
Lower Branch Sec 28, T33n, R3e; Upper Branch Sec 15, T33n, R3e To Sec 7, T32n, R4e
90 III-IV
Co/Wy Stateline To Douglas Creek
180 NONE
Flint Creek Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
119 III-IV
Rincon La Osa Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
215 III-IV
Rincon La Vaca Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
215 III-IV
Snowslide Canyon Creek Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
215 III-IV
Sierra Vandera Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
215 II-II
Below Rio Grande Reservoir (Sec 13, T40n, R4w) To Spring Creek (Sec 31, T41n, R2w)
215 III
Below Big Meadows Reservoir Dam To Sec 9 And 10, T39n, R3e
265 III-IV
Sec 10, T42n, R1e To Sec 13, T41n, R1e
638 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
124 III-IV
Middle Fork Sec 13, T35n, R2e To Confluence Of Three Forks Sec 14, T35n, R3e
124 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
124 IV-V
Confluence With Rincon La Vaca And North Fork To Northern Line Of Granite Peak Ranch
119 III-IV
Lake Creek Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
119 III-IV
Sec 9, T32n, R6e To Sec 22, T32n, R6e (Co/Nm State Line)
72 NONE
Yampa River Segment 3
165 III-IV
Yampa River Segment 2
1280 III
Yampa River Segment 1
1280 III-IV
Deep Creek Segment 2b
855 III-IV
Deep Creek Segment 3
855 III-IV
Coyote Wash
57 IV-V
La Sal Creek Segment 1
57 NONE
Ice Lake Creek Segment 1
57 IV
Lion Creek Segment 1
57 IV-V
Lion Creek Segment 2
57 III-IV
La Sal Creek Segment 2
57 III
Spring Creek
57 IV-V
La Sal Creek Segment 3
57 III
San Miguel River Segment 6
72 III-IV
San Miguel River Segment 5
75 III
Tabeguache Creek Segment 2
72 III-IV
Tabeguache Creek Segment 1
75 III-IV
North Fork Mesa Creek
157 III-IV
Dry Creek
75 NONE
Naturita Creek
74 III-IV
San Miguel River Segment 3
75 III-V
San Miguel River Segment 2
74 III+-IV
Beaver Creek
74 BEAVER-III
Saltado Creek
74 III-IV
Cottonwood Creek
106 NONE
Roubideau Creek Segment 2
106 III-IV
Potter Creek
106 III-V
Gunnison River Segment 2
971 III-IV
Deep Creek
0 III-IV
Lower Dolores River
56 II-III
West Beaver Creek
34 III-IV
Arkansas River Segment 1
82 III-IV
Arkansas River Segment 3
226 III-IV
Arkansas River Segment 2
157 III-IV
East Fork Arkansas River
0 IV-V
East Gulch
323 III-IV
Fourmile Creek
34 III-IV
Pass Creek
226 III-IV
Grape Creek Segment 1
19 III-IV
Little High Creek
34 IV-IV
Eightmile Creek
34 NONE
Falls Gulch
253 III-IV
Grape Creek Segment 3
344 III-IV
Arkansas River Segment 4
323 III
Rio Grande River Segment A
244 II-III
Rio Grande River Segment B
244 III-IV
Rio Grande River Segment C
356 II-IV
Ice Lake Creek Segment 2
57 NONE
Colorado River Segment 4
459 NONE
Animas River
81 III-IV
Colorado River Segment 5
459 III-IV
Colorado River Segment 7
855 NONE
Mineral Creek
16 III-IV
Monitor Creek
106 IV-V
Roubideau Creek Segment 1
106 III
San Miguel River Segment 1
32 II-III
Grape Creek Segment 2
19 III-IV
Dolores River Segment 2
57 III-IV
Colorado River Segment 6
26 IV
Star Canyon, Colo. River Segment 2
2770 IV-V
Unknown
2770 NONE
Marble Canyon, Colo. River Segment 2
2770 III-IV
Colorado River
2770 III-IV
Little Dolores, Colo. River Segment 2
2770 II-III+
Big Creek
209 IV-V
Skull Creek
165 V-IV
Dolores River Mcphee To Bedrock Segment In Uncompahgre Field Office
57 II-IV
Dolores River Mcphee To Bedrock Segment In Tres Rios Field Office
90 III-IV
San Juan River
20 II-III