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Nevada | Carson City / Lyon County

Carson RiverEast Silver Saddle Ranch to Santa Maria River Park

The full Carson River Aquatic Trail corridor from East Silver Saddle Ranch through Carson River Park and Morgan Mill to Santa Maria River Park.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 14.5 river miles
DifficultyModerate
Typical timePlan a full daylight run with a staged shuttle
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Carson River flows through the high-desert landscape east of Dayton, Nevada.
River contextCarson River east of Dayton; same-river context, not an endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Wikimedia Commons contributor

Need to know

Why this call
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 14.5 river milesEast Silver Saddle Ranch to Santa Maria River Park
DifficultymoderateAmerican Whitewater rates the full corridor Class II with a short Class III rapid and a dam hazard. Scout Train Wreck, White Cliff, Rock Garden, Ophir Dam and every bridge or strainer.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the downstream vehicle at the named public park or preserve, then drive to the upstream launch. Build in time for scouting and any dam portage.
PermitsCheck posted rulesConfirm current Carson City, Lyon County, BLM and park access rules before unloading; respect private shoreline and posted closures.
CampingDay tripNo overnight river camping is included. Use established campgrounds or lodging near Carson City and Dayton; do not camp on private banks or at informal access points.
SeasonApr-OctThe lower Carson reach needs substantially more water than the upper Class I–II section. Nevada Trail Finder calls for at least 1000 cfs from Morgan Mill toward Santa Maria; releases, storms and cold water can change conditions quickly.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

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Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

The full Carson River Aquatic Trail corridor from East Silver Saddle Ranch through Carson River Park and Morgan Mill to Santa Maria River Park.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

East Silver Saddle Ranch boat launch (water-entry edge)
Open mapDirections to put-in

Use only the named public water-entry edges and existing paths.

Finish

Take-out

Santa Maria River Park boat launch (water-entry edge)
Open mapDirections to take-out

Morgan Mill, Carson River Park and Silver Saddle Ranch may require a hand-carry from parking; verify current conditions.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Use only the named public water-entry edges and existing paths.
  • Morgan Mill, Carson River Park and Silver Saddle Ranch may require a hand-carry from parking; verify current conditions.
  • Portage Ophir Dam and Mexican Ditch Dam and never approach marked hazard structures.
  • Public water does not grant permission to land on private shoreline; keep intermediate exits to named public parks or legal crossings.

Watch for

  • 1000 cfs minimum for the lower reach
  • Mexican Ditch Dam, Train Wreck and Ophir Dam
  • Long exposure, private shoreline and limited exits

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

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Trip schedule

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

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Gauge detail

Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

Gauge

Recent trend

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Weather

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Route gallery

Photos

Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

The Carson River flows through the high-desert landscape east of Dayton, Nevada.
Carson River east of Dayton; same-river context, not an endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Wikimedia Commons contributor
Wikimedia Commons license on linked file page

Score & sources

Why this score

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Data status
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Why this scoreData reliability: checking

This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.

Why
  • Checking data sources and update times.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times

These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.

Gauge siteCarson River near Carson City, NV
DischargeChecking
Gauge heightChecking
24h trendChecking
24h changeChecking
Current bandChecking
Rain last 24hChecking
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
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WindChecking
GustsChecking
Rain timingChecking
Preferred range1,000 cfs to 1,500 cfs
Low threshold1,000 cfs
High threshold3,000 cfs
Evidence strength behind the rangeOfficial data source
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreNevada Trail Finder Carson River Aquatic Trail
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Weather sourceChecking
Rainfall sourceChecking
NotesWhat to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Named access and distanceEast Silver Saddle Ranch to Santa Maria River Park; 14.5 miles

    Nevada Trail Finder and the Carson River access KML identify the public water-entry sequence; American Whitewater corroborates the full corridor.

    Source

  • Scoring band1000 cfs minimum; 1000–1500 cfs planning band for the lower reach

    Flow values are reach-specific planning cues. Verify direct gauge telemetry, trend, craft suitability and local conditions.

    Source

  • Direct telemetryUSGS 10311000 Carson River near Carson City

    Direct Carson River discharge telemetry for the selected corridor; recheck live value and trend before departure.

    Source

  • Safety and campingPFD, dam portage, public water entry and nearby basecamp

    Nevada Trail Finder and American Whitewater document the dam, rapid and access hazards. No riverbank camping is assumed.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in Nevada

All 43 routes
Nevada route guideBrowse every tracked Nevada route.Carson City / Lyon CountyJump to routes in this region.

More on Carson River

All 6
Carson River Park to Morgan Mill PreserveCarson City / Lyon CountyEasy · About 3.3 river milesCarson River Park to Santa Maria River ParkCarson City / Lyon CountyModerate · About 14 river milesEast Silver Saddle Ranch to Carson River ParkCarson City / Lyon CountyEasy · About 1.5 river milesEast Silver Saddle Ranch to Morgan Mill PreserveCarson City / Lyon CountyEasy · About 4.8 river miles

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Truckee RiverFloriston I-80 bridge launch to Crystal Peak Park · about 25 straight-line mi awayHard · About 9.9 river milesTruckee RiverLockwood Trailhead Park to USA Parkway Bridge · about 26 straight-line mi awayEasy · About 12 river milesTruckee RiverCottonwood Park to Lockwood Trailhead Park · about 27 straight-line mi awayEasy · About 5 river milesTruckee RiverCrissie Caughlin Park to Wingfield Park Whitewater Park · about 28 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 2.5 river miles

Quick answers

Carson River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the East Silver Saddle Ranch to Santa Maria River Park route on the Carson River?

Paddle Today watches Carson River near Carson City, NV and treats 1,000 cfs to 1,500 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does the East Silver Saddle Ranch to Santa Maria River Park route on the Carson River start and end?

This route starts at East Silver Saddle Ranch boat launch (water-entry edge) and ends at Santa Maria River Park boat launch (water-entry edge), about 14.5 river miles on the water.

Is the East Silver Saddle Ranch to Santa Maria River Park route on the Carson River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.

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