See all 5 routes on Roaring Fork River
Colorado | Roaring Fork Valley / Carbondale to Glenwood Springs
Roaring Fork RiverBob Terrell State Wildlife Area to Black Bridge
A guarded approximately 7-mile Class II(III) Roaring Fork reach from the Bob Terrell State Wildlife Area boat ramp to the Black Bridge/County Road 109 access, paired directly with USGS 09085000 at Glenwood Springs.
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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
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
A guarded public Pink-to-Black lower Roaring Fork reach with direct 09085000 telemetry, station-tied 100–8,000 cfs planning bounds and an 800–6,000 cfs preferred band, named endpoints, cold-water/wood/private-bank hazards, high-clearance Black Bridge access, and no endpoint camping.
Access map
Put-in
Bob Terrell State Wildlife Area non-motorized boat rampUse the documented Bob Terrell concrete ramp and Black Bridge dirt/rock access only. Bob Terrell is a CPW State Wildlife Area and Black Bridge has limited shoulder parking; verify signs, ramp condition, vehicle suitability, parking, and lawful access before launch.
Take-out
Black Bridge / County Road 109 accessThe lower Roaring Fork passes private or gated shoreline areas. Stay on the river except at documented lawful access, do not trespass for scouting or portage, and do not treat a visible bank, bridge, or fishing easement as public landing permission.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Use the documented Bob Terrell concrete ramp and Black Bridge dirt/rock access only. Bob Terrell is a CPW State Wildlife Area and Black Bridge has limited shoulder parking; verify signs, ramp condition, vehicle suitability, parking, and lawful access before launch.
- The lower Roaring Fork passes private or gated shoreline areas. Stay on the river except at documented lawful access, do not trespass for scouting or portage, and do not treat a visible bank, bridge, or fishing easement as public landing permission.
- Black Bridge is the mandatory take-out for this route. The downstream Cemetery route is a separate package with higher-flow consequences and separate Veltus Park/Two Rivers logistics; do not drift past the take-out while relying on this route’s review.
- No endpoint or on-route camping is established. Reserve separate lodging or designated camping and follow current CPW, county, and campground restrictions.
Watch for
- USGS 09085000 below 100 cfs, above 8,000 cfs, rapidly rising/falling, unavailable, or inconsistent with the reach assessment and local visual check
- Class II/III current, cold water, wood/strainers, bridge hazards, changing river traffic, private/gated shoreline, and limited recovery
- CPW license/pass and Bob Terrell rules, Black Bridge high-clearance/4WD and shoulder parking limitations, closures, and failure to exit before the separate Cemetery reach
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
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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
Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs, CO. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
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Gauge
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Score & sources
Why this score
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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.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs, CO |
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| Preferred range | 800 cfs to 6,000 cfs |
| Low threshold | 100 cfs |
| High threshold | 8,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Pink to Black reach-specific flow preferences |
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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 public corridorPink to Black / Carbondale to Westbank; approximately 7 miles; Class II(III)
RiverBrain names the Carbondale-to-Westbank Pink-to-Black run, its length, craft use, primary 09085000 gauge, Bob Terrell access, and flow guidance. The American Whitewater/Lotic assessment independently includes Pink to Black as a significant Roaring Fork reach.
- Direct live gauge and flow gateUSGS 09085000; 100 cfs minimum navigable, 550 cfs minimum acceptable, 800–6,000 cfs preferred, 8,000 cfs maximum acceptable
USGS provides continuous discharge and gage-height telemetry. The station-tied recreational assessment maps Pink to Black directly to 09085000 and publishes the reach thresholds; BoaterBeta provides a second named segment/gauge reference.
- Lawful endpoint accessBob Terrell State Wildlife Area ramp to Black Bridge / County Road 109 access
RiverBrain documents Bob Terrell as a concrete boat ramp with all-vehicle access and Black Bridge as a boat access with high-clearance/4WD needs and limited shoulder parking. Use current CPW and posted access rules and confirm both physical landings on site.
- Safety boundaryMoving Class II(III) water; mandatory Black Bridge take-out before Cemetery
Regional and American Whitewater sources identify the lower Roaring Fork as moving Class II/III water, with the Cemetery section downstream as a distinct route and higher-flow consequence. Preserve cold-water, wood, bridge, private-bank, and high-water warnings.
- Camping and shuttle logisticsNo endpoint camping; CPW/roadside access and separate lodging required
RiverBrain marks both documented access contexts as no-camping, and the lower-river user guide states camping is prohibited in the managed corridor. Black Bridge requires a vehicle suitability and parking check; use a separate lawful campground or lodging reservation.
- Duplicate separationDistinct Bob Terrell-to-Black Bridge Pink-to-Black reach after Basalt-to-Carbondale and before Cemetery
This route starts at the existing Basalt-to-Carbondale route’s Bob Terrell take-out and ends at Black Bridge before the separate Cemetery route. Its 09085000 station, named reach, and endpoint pair define a non-duplicative lower Roaring Fork segment.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
- RiverBrain Pink to Black run
- RiverBrain Bob Terrell access
- RiverBrain Black Bridge access
- USGS 09085000 monitoring location
- USGS 09085000 current conditions
- Roaring Fork River Recreational Use Assessment
- BoaterBeta Pink to Black flow history
- Roaring Fork lower-river user guide
- American Whitewater Cemetery safety context
- Lower Fork safety and access context
- Wikimedia Commons Satank Bridge image
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
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Reports
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Quick answers
Roaring Fork River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Bob Terrell State Wildlife Area to Black Bridge route on the Roaring Fork River?
Paddle Today watches Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs, CO and treats 800 cfs to 6,000 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does the Bob Terrell State Wildlife Area to Black Bridge route on the Roaring Fork River start and end?
This route starts at Bob Terrell State Wildlife Area non-motorized boat ramp and ends at Black Bridge / County Road 109 access, Approximately 7 river miles on the water.
Is the Bob Terrell State Wildlife Area to Black Bridge route on the Roaring Fork 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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