Starlight Canyon river run
Starlight Canyon
Some of the most notable rapids and obstacles on this river run include Big Drop 2, Little Niagara, and the Notch. These rapids provide exciting challenges for paddlers, requiring them to navigate tight turns, steep drops, and turbulent waters. Paddlers must be skilled in reading water and maneuvering their boats in order to safely navigate through these rapids.
In order to protect the natural environment and ensure the safety of all visitors, the Bureau of Land Management has specific regulations for the Starlight Canyon area. These regulations include restrictions on camping, campfires, and the use of motorized vehicles. Visitors are also encouraged to practice Leave No Trace principles and to pack out all trash and waste.
Overall, Starlight Canyon is a thrilling and challenging whitewater river run that is sure to provide an unforgettable experience for experienced paddlers. However, it is important to respect the regulations and guidelines set forth by the Bureau of Land Management in order to preserve the natural environment and ensure the safety of all visitors.
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 Starlight Canyon -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Paria River Near Kanab | 0 cfs | → |
| Kanab Creek Near Kanab | 7 cfs | → |
| East Fork Virgin River Near Glendale | 8 cfs | → |
| Sevier River At Hatch | 76 cfs | → |
| Mammoth Creek Abv West Hatch Ditch | 28 cfs | → |
| Paria River At Lees Ferry | 4 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.
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 Starlight Canyon 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 Starlight Canyon
What's the optimal flow for Starlight Canyon?
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 Starlight Canyon.