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Colorado | Aspen / North Star Nature Preserve

Roaring Fork RiverSouth Gate to North Star Pedestrian Bridge

A guarded approximately 1.3-mile gentle Roaring Fork float through North Star Nature Preserve from the designated South Gate launch to the North Star Pedestrian Bridge take-out, paired directly with USGS 09073400.

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Plan this route

DistanceApproximately 1.3 river miles
DifficultyEasy
Typical timeAllow a daylight window for unloading
ShuttleCar or bike
The Roaring Fork River in Aspen, Colorado, used as general Slaughterhouse corridor context.
Route photoRoaring Fork River in Aspen corridor context; not a rapid or endpoint imagePhoto by Rhododendrites via Wikimedia Commons

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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceApproximately 1.3 river milesSouth Gate to North Star Pedestrian Bridge
DifficultyeasyPitkin County describes the preserve float as gentle and appropriate for families and beginners. Keep the route in the easy tier only with the mandatory closure, cold-water, low-water, private-bank, designated-access, and no-after-bridge boundaries visible.
ShuttleCar or bikeShuttle first: drop gear at South Gate, unload within 10 minutes, park legally at South Gate or the North Lot, then walk or bike back. At the North Star Pedestrian Bridge, use only the signed loading area and retrieve the vehicle promptly; do not idle or park on Highway 82.
PermitsCheck posted rulesPrivate paddlers must follow current Pitkin County Open Space and Trails, North Star Nature Preserve, White River National Forest, CDOT, parking, closure, wildlife, and Colorado boating/PFD rules. Commercial operators require the applicable county/Forest Service permissions and outfitter licensing.
CampingDay tripNo endpoint or on-route camping is established. North Star is a protected day-use preserve; use separate lawful lodging or a designated campground reservation and never camp on the riverbank, at the beach, or beneath the bridge.
SeasonJun-AugNorth Star use is concentrated in the June–August season, while low flows are most likely in early spring and mid-to-late summer. Check the direct USGS gauge, current Pitkin County closure page, wildlife notices, weather, daylight, and access conditions before launching.

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

A guarded South Gate-to-North Star Pedestrian Bridge float with direct 09073400 telemetry, an official 20 cfs mandatory-closure floor, 60–600 cfs normal planning band, designated public access, wildlife/private-bank restrictions, and no endpoint camping.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

South Gate designated river access
Open mapDirections to put-in

Use South Gate as the route’s designated launch and the North Star Pedestrian Bridge as the designated take-out. The county’s current page identifies these access corridors and prohibits exiting elsewhere except at the signed beach.

Finish

Take-out

North Star Pedestrian Bridge / Stillwater Bridge take-out
Open mapDirections to take-out

The current Pitkin County page reports a mandatory closure below 20 cfs and says closure triggers may change. Check the live county page and all posted signs immediately before launch; do not enter during any closure.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Use South Gate as the route’s designated launch and the North Star Pedestrian Bridge as the designated take-out. The county’s current page identifies these access corridors and prohibits exiting elsewhere except at the signed beach.
  • The current Pitkin County page reports a mandatory closure below 20 cfs and says closure triggers may change. Check the live county page and all posted signs immediately before launch; do not enter during any closure.
  • Parking is extremely limited. Drop gear quickly, park legally at the named lots, and plan to walk or bike back. The take-out has short active-loading spaces; do not leave a vehicle or block Highway 82.
  • Stay on the water through private-property sections, maintain a quiet wildlife-aware float, keep dogs off land and water, and exit before nightfall. Do not continue past the pedestrian bridge into the separate downstream corridor.

Watch for

  • USGS 09073400 below 20 cfs, rapidly changing, unavailable, or inconsistent with the current Pitkin County closure page and local water visual
  • Cold water, low-water contact/trespass risk, fast-rising weather, beaver dams, downed trees, moose, wildlife closures, private banks, and failure to stay within designated access corridors
  • South Gate/North Star parking limits, active-loading-only take-out, Highway 82 traffic, nightfall closure, and mandatory exit at the North Star Pedestrian Bridge

Plan this paddle

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Conditions

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Gauge detail

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Route gallery

Photos

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The Roaring Fork River in Aspen, Colorado, used as general Slaughterhouse corridor context.
Roaring Fork River in Aspen corridor context; not a rapid or endpoint imagePhoto by Rhododendrites via Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons: CC BY-SA 4.0

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.

Why
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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 siteRoaring Fork River near Aspen, CO
DischargeChecking
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Preferred rangeNeeds paddler reports
Known low-water floor20 cfs
High thresholdWater-level guidance unavailable
Evidence strength behind the rangeOfficial data source
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Main source behind this scorePitkin County North Star flow closures and launch guidance
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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 corridorSouth Gate to North Star Pedestrian Bridge; approximately 1.3 miles; gentle beginner-friendly float

    Pitkin County identifies the North Star float, South Gate launch, North Star Pedestrian Bridge take-out, designated beach, access boundaries, and current closure rules. The 2025 management plan map identifies the South Gate-to-bridge river mileage.

    Source

  • Direct live gauge and flow gateUSGS 09073400; mandatory closure below 20 cfs; 60 cfs Wildwood trigger; 60–600 cfs normal planning band

    USGS provides continuous discharge and gage-height telemetry. Pitkin County’s current guidance sets the North Star mandatory-closure boundary below 20 cfs and identifies 60 cfs at direct USGS 09073400 as the commercial Wildwood suspension trigger; above 600 cfs it directs users to South Gate unless experienced.

    Source

  • Lawful endpoint accessPitkin County South Gate designated launch to North Star Pedestrian Bridge designated take-out

    The county limits river access to designated corridors and prohibits stopping, beaching, or exiting outside the named launch, take-out, and signed beach. Current posted restrictions control.

    Source

  • Safety boundaryGentle water but cold, low-water, wildlife, private-bank, Highway 82, and mandatory-take-out hazards

    Pitkin County requires a quiet, through-only wildlife-aware float, prohibits dogs and audible music, closes the preserve at nightfall, and warns against touching the riverbed or private banks. Do not continue past the bridge.

    Source

  • Camping and shuttle logisticsDay-use preserve; no endpoint camping; limited parking and active-loading-only take-out

    North Star is a protected preserve with limited parking and designated access. Use separate lawful lodging or camping and plan the shuttle before arriving; do not infer camping rights from river access.

    Source

  • Duplicate separationDistinct Aspen North Star preserve segment above the existing upper Class V+ and lower Glenwood Colorado routes

    This route uses direct 09073400 and South Gate-to-bridge designated access. It is distinct from the upstream 09073300 Weller-to-Difficult expert run and from the downstream 09070500/09085100 Glenwood corridors.

    Source

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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 Colorado

All 48 routes
Colorado route guideBrowse every tracked Colorado route.Aspen / North Star Nature PreserveJump to routes in this region.

More on Roaring Fork River

All 5
Bob Terrell State Wildlife Area to Black BridgeRoaring Fork Valley / Carbondale to Glenwood SpringsModerate · Approximately 7 river milesFisherman’s Park to Bob Terrell State Wildlife AreaRoaring Fork Valley / Basalt to CarbondaleHard · Approximately 11.5 river milesHenry Stein Park to Wilton Jaffee Sr. ParkRoaring Fork Gorge / Aspen to Woody CreekHard · Approximately 4.5 river milesWeller Lake to Difficult CampgroundUpper Roaring Fork / AspenHard · Approximately 4.1 river miles

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Taylor RiverCR 748 Bridge to Pieplant Ranch / CR 742.8 access · about 20 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 3 river milesCrystal RiverYule Quarry Bridge near Marble to Redstone take-out · about 22 straight-line mi awayHard · Approximately 11.5 river milesEast RiverCrested Butte South to Almont · about 26 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 12 river miles from CB South to Almont, with an optional Roaring Judy exit around 7.5 milesTaylor RiverAbove Todd’s Slot to below Todd’s Slot · about 29 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 0.54 river miles from above Todd’s Slot to below Todd’s Slot

Quick answers

Roaring Fork River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the South Gate to North Star Pedestrian Bridge route on the Roaring Fork River?

Paddle Today watches Roaring Fork River near Aspen, CO and uses 20 cfs as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.

Where does the South Gate to North Star Pedestrian Bridge route on the Roaring Fork River start and end?

This route starts at South Gate designated river access and ends at North Star Pedestrian Bridge / Stillwater Bridge take-out, Approximately 1.3 river miles on the water.

Is the South Gate to North Star Pedestrian Bridge route on the Roaring Fork River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.

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