Badger Creek river run
Badger Creek
Badger Creek in Wyoming is a popular whitewater river run that attracts paddlers of different skill levels. The ideal streamflow range for Badger Creek is between 200 and 600 cfs. At low levels, the river can be challenging to navigate due to shallow rocks and boulders. At high levels, the rapids become more intense and require advanced skills.
The class rating for Badger Creek varies depending on the segment. The upper segment of the river is rated class III, while the lower segment is rated class II. The upper segment spans about 10 miles, while the lower segment is about 14 miles long.
Badger Creek features several rapids and obstacles that paddlers should be aware of. Some of the notable rapids include the Entrance, Pinball, and the Elevator. The Entrance is a class III rapid that features a steep drop followed by a technical maneuver through a narrow gap between rocks. Pinball is another class III rapid that features boulder gardens and tight channels. The Elevator is a class IV rapid that requires advanced skills and experience to navigate safely.
There are specific regulations that paddlers should adhere to when accessing Badger Creek. The area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, and visitors are required to obtain a permit before entering the river. There are also restrictions on camping and fires, and visitors are advised to pack out all trash and waste.
In conclusion, Badger Creek is a scenic and exciting whitewater river run that offers a range of challenges for paddlers. With an ideal streamflow range of 200 to 600 cfs, class II to IV rapids, and specific regulations to the area, it is a popular destination for kayakers, rafters, and other water sports enthusiasts.
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 Badger Creek -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Snake River Nr Moran Wy | 4,010 cfs | → |
| Snake River At Moose | 8,160 cfs | → |
| Teton River Ab South Leigh Creek Nr Driggs Id | 935 cfs | → |
| Pacific Creek At Moran Wy | 886 cfs | → |
| Granite C Ab Granite C Supplemental | 157 cfs | → |
| Falls River Ab Yellowstone Canal Nr Squirrel Id | 1,350 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.
Other river runs
- Headwaters Of South And Roaring Forks And Mainstem To Confluence With South Fork
- Headwaters Of North And South Forks And Mainstem To Boundary Of Jedediah Smith Wilderness
- Headwaters Of North And South Fork And Mainstem To Targhee Nf Boundary
- Bitch Creek
- Yellowstone Np To Targhee Nf Boundary
Campgrounds
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 Badger Creek 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 Badger Creek
What's the optimal flow for Badger Creek?
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 Badger Creek.