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Idaho | Southwest Idaho / Boise National Forest

Deadwood RiverDeadwood Reservoir to Julie Creek

A 14-mile Class IV-V Upper Deadwood backcountry run below Deadwood Dam to the former Julie Creek Campground, with a direct release gauge and a mandatory continuation plan because the old vehicle access has washed out.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 14.3 river miles to Julie Creek; about 23 miles if continuing to Deadwood Campground
DifficultyHard
Typical timeAbout 6-8 hours to Julie Creek
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Deadwood River lies in a forested Boise National Forest mountain basin.
River contextBoise basin context; not the Upper Deadwood endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by WaterArchives.org via Wikimedia Commons

Need to know

Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 14.3 river miles to Julie Creek; about 23 miles if continuing to Deadwood CampgroundDeadwood Reservoir to Julie Creek
DifficultyhardDifficulty follows the cited manager guide where stated and otherwise is deliberately conservative. Current flow, debris, diversions, weather, and party skill can materially change the trip.
ShuttleCar shuttleLong remote shuttle to Deadwood Reservoir, with no vehicle access at Julie Creek. Stage the lower Deadwood vehicle separately or commit to the full continuation to Deadwood Campground.
PermitsCheck posted rulesFollow Boise National Forest road, reservoir, campground, fire, and dam-release rules; Idaho AIS/PFD requirements; and current closure notices.
CampingOptions nearbyJulie Creek is a possible primitive overnight camp; the practical developed endpoint is the existing Deadwood Campground on the lower reach. Verify Forest Service status and fire restrictions.
SeasonJun-SepLate spring through early fall is the normal planning window. Verify snowmelt, releases, fire or fish-protection closures, water temperature, weather, and access status immediately before travel.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

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Plan

Plan your trip

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

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A 14-mile Class IV-V Upper Deadwood backcountry run below Deadwood Dam to the former Julie Creek Campground, with a direct release gauge and a mandatory continuation plan because the old vehicle access has washed out.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Deadwood Reservoir put-in
Open mapDirections to put-in

Use only the named public launch or landing; a nearby bank, bridge shoulder, fishing easement, or private campground is not substitute access.

Finish

Take-out

Julie Creek Campground (former access; continue downstream)
Open mapDirections to take-out

Confirm current closures, fire restrictions, seasonal gates, parking capacity, fees, launch condition, and Idaho invasive-species requirements before travel.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Use only the named public launch or landing; a nearby bank, bridge shoulder, fishing easement, or private campground is not substitute access.
  • Confirm current closures, fire restrictions, seasonal gates, parking capacity, fees, launch condition, and Idaho invasive-species requirements before travel.
  • Private banks are common. Do not land, scout, portage, or camp outside a signed public site or manager-designated corridor.

Watch for

  • large wood and portage decisions
  • Class V drops
  • cold dam-release water
  • former Julie Creek access
  • remote shuttle

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.

Trip schedule

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.

Gauge detail

Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

Gauge

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Weather

Hourly forecast

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Route gallery

Photos

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

The Deadwood River lies in a forested Boise National Forest mountain basin.
Boise basin context; not the Upper Deadwood endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by WaterArchives.org via Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons license on linked file page

Sources

Data and sources

Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.

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.

  • Official route corridorDeadwood Reservoir to Julie Creek; About 14.3 river miles to Julie Creek; about 23 miles if continuing to Deadwood Campground

    American Whitewater Upper Deadwood reach record identifies the endpoint chain, river miles, or managed float corridor.

    Source

  • Public access controlDeadwood Reservoir put-in to Julie Creek Campground (former access; continue downstream)

    Coordinates represent named public ramps, bank launches, park landings, or an explicitly described staging point.

    Source

  • Direct live gaugeUSGS 13236500 - Deadwood River below Deadwood Reservoir near Lowman, ID

    Gauge is on the named waterbody and supplies context only.

    Source

  • Threshold postureNumeric cue retained for planning

    The route remains planning-only; no live go/no-go score is asserted.

    Source

  • Gauge check recorded during route reviewCurrent manager notices override this record

    This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.

    Source

  • Camping classificationon_route_campsite

    Julie Creek is a possible primitive overnight camp; the practical developed endpoint is the existing Deadwood Campground on the lower reach. Verify Forest Service status and fire restrictions.

    Source

  • Photo contextDeadwood / Boise National Forest watershed context photograph

    The gallery photo is visual context. It may show another part of the same river or watershed and does not show current conditions at every access point.

    Source

  • Overlap decisionRetained as a distinct access-to-access itinerary

    Adjacent cards use different public endpoints and provide a different trip length, hazard set, skill tier, or operating boundary.

    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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Photos

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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 Idaho

All 137 routes
Idaho route guideBrowse every tracked Idaho route.Southwest Idaho / Boise National ForestJump to routes in this region.

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Deadwood RiverJulie Creek Campground to South Fork Payette · about 10 straight-line mi awayHard · About 8.7 river milesMiddle Fork Payette RiverBoiling Springs Campground to upstream of Trail Creek · about 12 straight-line mi awayHard · About 7.5 river milesMiddle Fork Payette RiverHardscrabble Campground to Lightning Creek Bridge · about 13 straight-line mi awayHard · About 4.5 river milesSouth Fork Payette RiverDeadwood River Access to Danskin Station (Canyon) · about 15 straight-line mi awayHard · About 12 river miles

Quick answers

Deadwood River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Deadwood Reservoir to Julie Creek route on the Deadwood River?

This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.

Where does the Deadwood Reservoir to Julie Creek route on the Deadwood River start and end?

This route starts at Deadwood Reservoir put-in and ends at Julie Creek Campground (former access; continue downstream), about 14.3 river miles to Julie Creek; about 23 miles if continuing to Deadwood Campground on the water.

Is the Deadwood Reservoir to Julie Creek route on the Deadwood River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a hard route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.

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