See all 24 routes on Truckee River
Nevada | Washoe County / Reno–Sparks
Truckee RiverCrissie Caughlin Park to Cottonwood Park
A Reno-to-Sparks Truckee reach from the Crissie Caughlin right-bank access through Wingfield Whitewater Park to Cottonwood Park.
Checking current river conditions…
Route location
Loading the route snapshot. This usually takes a few seconds.
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 Reno-to-Sparks Truckee reach from the Crissie Caughlin right-bank access through Wingfield Whitewater Park to Cottonwood Park.
Access map
Put-in
Crissie Caughlin Park river access (right-bank water entry)Use only named public access points and existing paths.
Take-out
Cottonwood Park river accessScout engineered features, diversion structures and Derby Dam before committing.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Use only named public access points and existing paths.
- Scout engineered features, diversion structures and Derby Dam before committing.
- Recheck seasonal closures, water quality, weather and permit requirements.
Watch for
- Chalk Bluff diversion and Wingfield engineered features
- Cold water, strainers and bridge debris
- Urban traffic, changing releases and Cottonwood take-out
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.
Times use the selected time zone. Check it against the river’s location before saving or sharing.
Browser plans stay on this device. Sharing opens your device’s share tools or gives you text to copy.
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
Truckee River at Reno, NV. 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
Checking preferred range.
Checking trend.
Gauge source
--Checking timestampWeather
Hourly forecast
Checking weather.
Loading today's forecast.
Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
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.
- Checking data sources and update times.
- 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 | Truckee River at Reno, NV |
| 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 | 400 cfs to 1,200 cfs |
| Low threshold | 250 cfs |
| High threshold | 2,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | American Whitewater Truckee Reno reach |
| 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.
- Named reach and accessCrissie Caughlin Park to Cottonwood Park; 7.5 miles
American Whitewater and the TMWA recreation map identify the Reno access sequence and public parks.
- Scoring band250 cfs low-water floor; 400–1,200 cfs conservative planning band; review above 2,000 cfs
Community flow cues for the Reno reach; verify direct telemetry and feature conditions.
- Direct gaugeUSGS 10348000 Truckee River at Reno, NV
Direct Truckee River discharge telemetry for this corridor; the gauge is upstream of the route and cannot capture every intervening diversion or power-return condition.
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 Truckee Reno reach
- Truckee Meadows Water Authority river recreation map
- City of Reno Truckee River Whitewater Park
- Nevada Truckee River floatable reaches and access points map
- Nevada Trail Finder Truckee River access point KML
- Nevada Trail Finder Truckee River mapped line KML
- USGS Truckee Reno gauge
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
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 routesMore on Truckee River
All 24Nearby routes within 75 miles
Quick answers
Truckee River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Crissie Caughlin Park to Cottonwood Park route on the Truckee River?
Paddle Today watches Truckee River at Reno, NV and treats 400 cfs to 1,200 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does the Crissie Caughlin Park to Cottonwood Park route on the Truckee River start and end?
This route starts at Crissie Caughlin Park river access (right-bank water entry) and ends at Cottonwood Park river access, about 7.5 river miles on the water.
Is the Crissie Caughlin Park to Cottonwood Park route on the Truckee 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.
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.