Escalante River River Run
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Escalante River
The Escalante River is a scenic and challenging whitewater river run that flows through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah. The ideal streamflow range for this river is between 50 and 500 cubic feet per second (cfs). The class rating of the river is generally considered to be Class III to IV, with some sections reaching Class V during high water.
The river starts at approximately 9,000 feet above sea level in the Aquarius Plateau and flows for 87 miles before emptying into Lake Powell. The segment mileage of the river varies depending on the section, with the most popular section being the 17-mile stretch from Escalante to Sand Creek.
The river rapids and obstacles along this section of the Escalante River include various Class III and IV rapids, such as Steer Ridge Rapid, Cow Swim Rapid, and the Double Drop. There are also several waterfalls to navigate, including the 10-foot waterfall at Scorpion Gulch.
Specific regulations to the area include obtaining a permit from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and practicing Leave No Trace principles. The BLM limits the number of permits issued each day to protect the fragile ecosystem and ensure a quality experience for visitors. Additionally, campfires are prohibited along the river, and human waste must be carried out in portable toilets or wag bags.
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 Escalante River -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Escalante River Near Escalante | 0 cfs | → |
| Pine Creek Near Escalante | 1 cfs | → |
| Fremont River Near Bicknell | 55 cfs | → |
| Dirty Devil R Abv Poison Sp Wash Nr Hanksville | 45 cfs | → |
| Paria River Near Kanab | 9 cfs | → |
| Paria River At Lees Ferry | 10 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 Escalante 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 Escalante River
What's the optimal flow for Escalante 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 Escalante River.