North Platte River river run
North Platte River
The river features several exciting rapids and obstacles, including The Slide, The Big Dipper, and the famous Miracle Mile. The Slide is a long, shallow rapid that leads into a sharp turn and a steep drop. The Big Dipper is a series of large waves that require proper maneuvering to navigate successfully. The Miracle Mile is a challenging and technical section of the river that requires advanced paddling skills.
The North Platte River is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, and there are specific regulations in place to protect the area. These regulations include a permit system for commercial outfitters, restrictions on group size, and guidelines for camping and fires. It is important for all visitors to respect these regulations and practice Leave No Trace principles to ensure the preservation of this beautiful river.
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 North Platte River -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Brush Creek Near Saratoga | 18 cfs | → |
| Encampment River At Mouth | 621 cfs | → |
| North Brush Creek Near Saratoga | 142 cfs | → |
| Encampment River Ab Hog Park Cr | 428 cfs | → |
| Pass Creek Near Elk Mountain | 149 cfs | → |
| Jack Creek Above Coyote Draw | 133 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.
Campgrounds
- Corral Creek Campsite 6
- Corral Creek Campsite 5
- Corral Creek Campsite 4
- Corral Creek Campsite 1
- Corral Creek Campsite 3
- Corral Creek Campsite 2
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 North Platte 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 North Platte River
What's the optimal flow for North Platte 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 North Platte River.