See all 5 routes on Henrys Fork
Idaho | Eastern Idaho / Mesa Falls
Henrys ForkLower Mesa Falls to Warm River
A 6.7-mile Class II+ Henrys Fork reach beginning at the Lower Mesa Falls put-in and ending at the Warm River access, with a USGS Ashton gauge window and a mandatory waterfall-aware launch plan.
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Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
A 6.7-mile Class II+ Henrys Fork reach beginning at the Lower Mesa Falls put-in and ending at the Warm River access, with a USGS Ashton gauge window and a mandatory waterfall-aware launch plan.
Access map
Put-in
Lower Mesa Falls base-of-falls put-inUse only the named public launch or landing; a nearby bank, bridge shoulder, fishing easement, or private campground is not substitute access.
Take-out
Warm River take-outConfirm current closures, fire restrictions, seasonal gates, parking capacity, fees, launch condition, and Idaho invasive-species requirements before travel.
Road shuttle
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
- Lower Mesa Falls waterfall launch
- cold water and wood
- changing channels
- Warm River landing and parking
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.
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Download GPX Route geometry only; no schedule required.
Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
Check how the river is changing and what weather to expect.
USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Henrys Fork near Ashton, ID. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Hourly forecast
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Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
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Route gallery
Photos
Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.
Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.
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.
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- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Henrys Fork near Ashton, ID |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 1,400 cfs to 2,600 cfs |
| Low threshold | 1,000 cfs |
| High threshold | 3,500 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | American Whitewater runnable window: 1,000-3,500 cfs on the Henrys Fork near Ashton gauge |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
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 corridorLower Mesa Falls to Warm River; About 6.7 river miles
American Whitewater Lower Mesa Falls-to-Warm River reach record identifies the endpoint chain, river miles, or managed float corridor.
- Public access controlLower Mesa Falls base-of-falls put-in to Warm River take-out
Coordinates represent named public ramps, bank launches, park landings, or an explicitly described staging point.
- Direct live gaugeUSGS 13046000 - Henrys Fork near Ashton, ID
Gauge is on the named waterbody and supplies context only.
- Threshold postureGauge-linked range used for live scoring
The cited route guidance is tied to this gauge and reach; hazards, closures, weather, and local inspection still override the score.
- 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.
- Camping classificationnearby_basecamp
Use developed Forest Service, state, or private campground/lodging options near Mesa Falls and Warm River; no on-route camping is assumed.
- Photo contextHenrys Fork / Mesa Falls 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.
- 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.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
- American Whitewater Lower Mesa Falls-to-Warm River reach record
- Official access/map control
- USGS 13046000 monitoring location
- USGS 13046000 current conditions
- Additional threshold support
- American Whitewater Lower Mesa Falls put-in access
- American Whitewater Warm River take-out access
- USGS Henrys Fork near Ashton gauge
- Caribou-Targhee Forest Service boating access
- Fremont County Mesa Falls scenic access roads
- Henrys Fork / Mesa Falls watershed context photograph
- Idaho boating and invasive-species requirements
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
Share your trip
Keep exploring
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Quick answers
Henrys Fork paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Lower Mesa Falls to Warm River route on the Henrys Fork?
Paddle Today watches Henrys Fork near Ashton, ID and treats 1,400 cfs to 2,600 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does the Lower Mesa Falls to Warm River route on the Henrys Fork start and end?
This route starts at Lower Mesa Falls base-of-falls put-in and ends at Warm River take-out, about 6.7 river miles on the water.
Is the Lower Mesa Falls to Warm River route on the Henrys Fork suitable for beginners?
This is listed as a hard route. Treat the live score as a planning aid, then confirm conditions, hazards, access, and group skill before launching.
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