Royal Gorge
The Royal Gorge is a classic Colorado run on the Arkansas river. The highlight is entering the heart of the gorge below the famous Royal Gorge Bridge, which tourists flock to during the warm months. The bridge itself makes the dubious claim of being the world's highest suspension bridge. There's little doubt though that the view looking up from this deep and narrow gorge is spectacular. During the tourist season, expect the paparazzi to be out in full force. (bonus tip: They love it when you roll.)
Suggested river levels for paddling this section of the Arkansas River are between a bare minimum of 200cfs and a high of 7,000cfs.
River conditions sourced from USGS 07094500, the Arkansas River At Parkdale
Remember only watercraft are permitted
at Royal Gorge.
Run Stats
| Status | Runnable |
| Class Level | IV- to IV |
| Elevation | 5,719 ft |
| Run Length | 10.0 Mi |
| Gradient | 46 FPM |
| Streamflow Discharge | 345 cfs |
| Gage Height | 2.5 ft |
| Air Temperature | 65° |
| River | Arkansas River |
| Reporting Streamgage |
Arkansas River At Parkdale
USGS 07094500 |
| Gauge | Streamflow | Stage |
|---|---|---|
|
Grape Creek Near Westcliffe
USGS 07095000 |
9 cfs | 0.6 ft |
|
Ute Creek Near Fort Garland
USGS 08242500 |
7 cfs | 1.5 ft |
|
Trout Creek Blw Fern Cr Nr Westcreek
USGS 06701620 |
1 cfs | 3.8 ft |
|
Huerfano River At Badito
USGS 07112500 |
7 cfs | 1.6 ft |
|
Cheyenne Creek At Evans Ave At Colorado Springs
USGS 07105490 |
2 cfs | 1.4 ft |
|
Turkey Creek Near Fountain Colo
USGS 07099215 |
2 cfs | 2.0 ft |
|
North Crestone Creek Near Crestone
USGS 08227500 |
2 cfs | 0.6 ft |
|
Huerfano R At Manzanares Xing
USGS 07111000 |
9 cfs | 3.3 ft |
|
Bear Creek Near Colorado Springs
USGS 07105000 |
1 cfs | 7.6 ft |
|
Clover Ditch Drain At Quinn St Nr Widefield
USGS 07105815 |
0 cfs | 5.0 ft |
| Snotel Site | Snowpack | 24hr Change |
|---|---|---|
|
Fool Creek
SNOTEL 1186 |
19" | 1" |
|
Wild Basin
SNOTEL 1042 |
2" | -3" |
|
Loveland Basin
SNOTEL 602 |
20" | 0" |
|
dillon 2.3 se, co
SNOTEL CO-SU-16 |
2.18" | 0" |
|
lake george 7.2 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-PK-39 |
0.61" | 0" |
|
south platte river
SNOTEL ANTC2 |
1.57" | 0" |
|
divide 4nw
SNOTEL DNWC2 |
2.93" | -0.32" |
|
grant
SNOTEL GRTC2 |
4.14" | 0" |
|
woodland park 1.1 nnw, co
SNOTEL CO-TL-28 |
0.66" | -0.65" |
|
Sawtooth
SNOTEL 1251 |
15" | -1" |
|
tabernash 2.7 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-GR-68 |
1.34" | 0.96" |
|
cripple creek 5.1 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-TL-16 |
0.56" | 0" |
|
cabin creek
SNOTEL GCRC2 |
3.62" | 0" |
|
Taos Powderhorn
SNOTEL 1168 |
4" | 0" |
|
Stillwater Creek
SNOTEL 793 |
13" | 0" |
|
Never Summer
SNOTEL 1031 |
17" | 0" |
|
cripple creek,co
SNOTEL CRIC2 |
2.83" | 0" |
|
aspen springs amrad
SNOTEL ASIC2 |
2.06" | 0" |
|
University Camp
SNOTEL 838 |
9" | 0" |
|
Jones Pass
SNOTEL 970 |
12" | -1" |
|
Grizzly Peak
SNOTEL 505 |
18" | 0" |
|
ward 4.6 ne, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-202 |
0.62" | 0" |
|
golden 12.5 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-331 |
0.51" | 0" |
|
Whiskey Ck
SNOTEL 857 |
3" | -1" |
|
Phantom Valley
SNOTEL 688 |
1" | 0" |
|
Ute Creek
SNOTEL 1005 |
1" | -1" |
|
South Colony
SNOTEL 773 |
7" | -1" |
|
Medano Pass
SNOTEL 914 |
3" | 1" |
|
Echo Lake
SNOTEL 936 |
1" | 0" |
|
Niwot
SNOTEL 663 |
4" | 0" |
|
Hayden Pass
SNOTEL 1102 |
5" | 0" |
|
Lake Irene
SNOTEL 565 |
17" | 1" |
|
rollinsville 1.1 ssw, co
SNOTEL CO-GL-17 |
1.87" | 0" |
|
Lake Eldora
SNOTEL 564 |
7" | 0" |
|
georgetown
SNOTEL GEOC2 |
1.24" | 0" |
|
Berthoud Summit
SNOTEL 335 |
15" | 0" |
|
fort garland 13.3 e, co
SNOTEL CO-CS-31 |
1.9" | 0.08" |
|
High Lonesome
SNOTEL 1187 |
17" | -1" |
|
Bear Lake
SNOTEL 322 |
5" | 0" |
|
florissant 5.0 n, co
SNOTEL CO-TL-19 |
1.67" | -0.66" |
| Campground | Campsites | Reservations | Toilets | Showers | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springer Gulch | 15 | 8,324 ft | |||
| Riverside | 18 | 8,052 ft | |||
| Round Mountain | 15 | 8,531 ft | |||
| Cove | 4 | 8,457 ft | |||
| Eleven Mile State Park | 350 | 8,616 ft | |||
| Grape Creek - Temple Canyon Park | None | 6,160 ft | |||
| Happy Meadows | 8 | 7,879 ft | |||
| Oak Creek | 15 | 7,649 ft | |||
| Blue Mountain | 21 | 8,079 ft | |||
| Spillway | 23 | 8,461 ft |
| Ski Area | Snowpack | Air Temperature | 5 Day Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conquistador Ski Resort | 7" | 39° | 0" |
| River Run | Streamflow | Length | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Gorge | 345.0cfs | 10.0 Mi | IV- to IV |