Virgin River river run
Virgin River
The whitewater run has several rapids and obstacles, including the "Big Kahuna" rapid, which is a class III rapid that requires skilled maneuvering to navigate successfully. The "Cathedral" rapid is another challenging section of the run, with several boulders and rocks that contribute to the difficulty level. Paddlers should also be aware of submerged rocks and strainers, especially during high water levels.
There are specific regulations for the area, including the requirement for all paddlers to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) and a helmet while on the river. The use of alcohol and drugs is prohibited, and visitors are expected to follow Leave No Trace principles to minimize the impact on the natural environment.
Overall, the Virgin River's whitewater river run is a thrilling and challenging experience for experienced paddlers in the ideal streamflow range. Paddlers should be aware of the class rating, segment mileage, specific rapids and obstacles, and regulations before embarking on the journey.
Plan your run down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram; rain ahead of a run typically lifts flows 12-48 hours later depending on the basin.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.
Regional streamflow levels
USGS streamgauges around Virgin River -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Virgin River Near Hurricane | 48 cfs | → |
| Virgin River Ab Quail Creek Near Hurricane | 41 cfs | → |
| Virgin River Near Bloomington | 49 cfs | → |
| Santa Clara River At St. George | 3 cfs | → |
| Fort Pearce Wash Near St. George | · | → |
| Leeds Creek Near Leeds | 7 cfs | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest boat launches, other paddle runs, and campgrounds so a day on the water can grow into a full weekend.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Washington County Regional Park
- Sand Hollow State Park
- Quail Creek State Park
- Red Cliffs Campground
- Red Cliffs
- Sand Cove Primitive Camping Area
Whitewater safety
- Check the flow before you run
- Use the linked-gauge card and Regional Flow panel above. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV+ at high water.
- Know your skill ceiling
- Pick runs comfortably below your ceiling. Cold-water and big-water runs raise the consequences of any mistake.
- Wear the right gear
- Helmet, PFD, drysuit / wetsuit when water is below 60°F. Throw bag, knife, and whistle on your person, not in the boat.
- Scout, set safety, and run with a team
- Scout new rapids on foot, set safety with throw bags above the consequence pool, and run with at least one other competent paddler.
- Respect the river
- Strainers, undercuts, low-head dams, and wood can kill at any class rating. When in doubt, portage.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Virgin River as a favorite, set a discharge threshold (e.g. "alert me when flow hits 600 cfs"), and the iOS app pushes the moment the linked gauge crosses.
About Virgin River
What's the optimal flow for Virgin River?
The optimal flow depends on the section and the craft. Check the Run Details panel for the linked gauge and current status.
How fresh is the cfs reading on this page?
The linked USGS streamgauge reports continuously (every 15 minutes); Snoflo refreshes throughout the day. Hover the streamflow sparkline to read individual datapoints.
What's the whitewater class?
See the Run Details panel for the class rating Snoflo tracks for this run. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV in high water.
Where do I put in / take out?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions to the put-in. For shuttle planning, check the Nearby Boat Launches panel and the river run operator's site.
Can I get alerts when flows hit the optimal range?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this run, set a discharge threshold, and you'll get a push the moment the gauge crosses.
Other runs near here
Snoflo-tracked paddle runs within driving distance of Virgin River.