Crooked Creek river run
Crooked Creek
This river run is rated as a Class III-IV, which means it is suitable for intermediate to advanced paddlers with experience in moderate to difficult whitewater. The segment mileage for Crooked Creek is approximately 14 miles, providing paddlers with a challenging and exciting adventure.
There are several specific river rapids and obstacles to be aware of on Crooked Creek, including the "Corkscrew," a tight and technical rapid that requires precise navigation, and the "Creek Drop," a steep and powerful drop that requires strong paddling skills to navigate safely.
In terms of regulations, paddlers should be aware that Crooked Creek is located within the Shoshone National Forest and is subject to certain restrictions and guidelines. Paddlers are required to have a permit for overnight camping, and motorized boats are not allowed on the river. Additionally, paddlers are encouraged to practice Leave No Trace principles and respect the natural environment of the area.
Overall, Crooked Creek is a thrilling and challenging whitewater river run that is ideal for experienced paddlers seeking an exciting adventure in the beautiful wilderness of Wyoming.
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 Crooked Creek -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Shoshone River Near Lovell | 371 cfs | → |
| Bighorn River At Kane | 2,120 cfs | → |
| Bighorn River Near St. Xavier | 1,500 cfs | → |
| Clarks Fork Yellowstone River Nr Belfry Mt | 5,570 cfs | → |
| Clarks Fork Yellowstone River At Edgar Mt | 5,110 cfs | → |
| Little Bighorn River At State Line Nr Wyola Mt | 327 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
Campgrounds
- Trail Creek/Barry's Landing Campground
- Trail Creek Canyon Campground
- Barrys Landing - Bighorn Canyon National Rec Area
- Medicine Creek Campground
- Medicine Campground Site 2
- Medicine Campground Site 5
Fishing spots
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 Crooked 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 Crooked Creek
What's the optimal flow for Crooked 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 Crooked Creek.