Horsethief And Ruby Canyons


The Ruby-Horsethief section of the Colorado River, from Loma, Colorado, to Westwater, Utah, is a 25-mile stretch of mostly flatwater with sections of Class I and II. This section of the Colorado runs through beautiful red rock canyons and has many day hike opportunities offering both solitude and exploration. The Black Rock section is composed of rock known as Vishnu schist, which dates back about 1.7 billion years. This same rock, which geologists refer to as “an unconformity”, is exposed in certain sections of the Grand Canyon. There is an abundance of wildlife including great blue herons, bald eagles, peregrine falcons, mule deer, and desert bighorn sheep.

Suggested river levels for paddling this section of the Colorado River are between a bare minimum of 1,000cfs and a high of 25,000cfs. River conditions sourced from USGS 09163500, the Colorado River Near Colorado-Utah State Line Remember only watercraft are permitted at Horsethief and Ruby Canyons.

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Area Hydrology

Gauge Streamflow Stage
Mill Creek At Sheley Tunnel
USGS 09183500 		4 cfs 2.8 ft
Colorado River Near Cisco
USGS 09180500 		2,670 cfs 2.1 ft
San Miguel River At Uravan
USGS 09177000 		25 cfs 2.3 ft
Dolores River Near Cisco
USGS 09180000 		31 cfs 6.6 ft
Castle Creek Below Castle Valley Near Moab
USGS 09182400 		4 cfs 5.8 ft
Dolores River At Bedrock
USGS 09169500 		0 cfs 0.1 ft
Dolores River Near Gateway
USGS 09179450 		34 cfs 6.1 ft
Colorado River Near Colorado-Utah State Line
USGS 09163500 		2,590 cfs 3.2 ft
Corral Gulch Near Rangely
USGS 09306242 		0 cfs 1.1 ft
Piceance Creek At White River
USGS 09306222 		0 cfs 1.6 ft
Snotel Site Snowpack 24hr Change

Outdoor Recreation

Campground Campsites Reservations Toilets Showers Elevation
Miracle Rock 4 6,572 ft
Saddlehorn - Colorado National Monument 80 4,685 ft
Fruita - Colorado River State Park 45 4,484 ft
North Fruita Desert 35 5,392 ft
Highline Lake State Park 25 4,725 ft
Mud Springs 14 8,525 ft
Ski Area Snowpack Air Temperature 5 Day Forecast
River Run Streamflow Length Class
Gateway to Dewey Bridge (Colorado River) 31.0cfs 32.0 Mi III- to IV
Westwater 2670.0cfs 17.0 Mi III to IV
Horsethief and Ruby Canyons 2590.0cfs 27.0 Mi II to II+