Paddle TodayFind the best paddle near you today

Live score, water level, and weather.

See all 32 routes on Verde River

Arizona | Verde Valley / Yavapai County

Verde RiverLower TAPCO RAP to Highway 89A Bridge

A longer Verde Valley day reach combining the documented Lower TAPCO, Tuzigoot and Highway 89A access sequence.

Route location

Loading the route map.

Open access map

Plan this route

DistanceAbout 9.8 river miles
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAllow 5–8 hours with scouting
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Verde River runs through a rugged Arizona canyon corridor.
River contextVerde River; same-river context, not an endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Jennifer Horn via Wikimedia Commons

Need to know

Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
View Primary Source
Embed this route

Route alerts

Email me when this route improves

We'll email you when this route climbs into Good or Strong. Every email includes an unsubscribe link.

We only email on a new threshold crossing.

Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 9.8 river milesLower TAPCO RAP to Highway 89A Bridge
DifficultymoderateMoving water with shallow riffles, diversion structures and occasional Class II features; comfortable boat control and scouting are required.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the downstream vehicle first, then drive to the named upstream access.
PermitsCheck posted rulesConfirm current park, trail or roadside access rules before unloading.
CampingDay tripNo overnight camping is included; use separately permitted campgrounds and never camp on private banks.
SeasonJan-DecFriends of the Verde warns that conditions differ among river stretches and can change daily. Check the nearest gauge, weather, access and current obstacles for this trip.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

TomorrowChecking

Waiting on forecast.

WeekendChecking

Waiting on forecast.

Plan

Plan your trip

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

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A longer Verde Valley day reach combining the documented Lower TAPCO, Tuzigoot and Highway 89A access sequence.

Access map

Skip map

Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.

End of map

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Use only named public access points.

Watch for

  • Low-water riffles
  • Diversion structures and marked portages
  • Strainers and flash-flood rises

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

Times use the selected time zone. Check it against the river’s location before saving or sharing.

Browser plans

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 the forecast and local water levels before launching.

Gauge detail

Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

Gauge

Recent trend

Checking preferred range.

Checking trend.

------------

Weather

Hourly forecast

Checking weather.

Loading today's forecast.

Next 8 hours

Short-route forecast

Checking the next several hours.

Checking the best short-route window.
----Loading--

Route gallery

Photos

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

The Verde River runs through a rugged Arizona canyon corridor.
Verde River; same-river context, not an endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Jennifer Horn via Wikimedia Commons
Public domain

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.

  • Access and distanceLower TAPCO RAP to Highway 89A Bridge; 9.8 miles

    Friends of the Verde River and the USFS paddle guide publish the access coordinates and river-mile sequence.

    Source

  • GaugeUSGS 09504000

    Direct Verde River gauge near Clarkdale; recheck current telemetry and trend.

    Source

  • Flow guidance scopeNo numeric flow range verified for this exact trip

    Friends of the Verde warns that flow, obstacles and hazards differ by stretch and can change daily. Use the linked gauge as context, not a route-wide recommendation.

    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

Paddler reports

See recent photos and notes from people on the route.

Share your trip

Help build the route page

Add photos or send a quick condition report.

Photos

Upload route photos

Add access, hazard, or on-water photos.

No files selected yet.

Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in Arizona

All 43 routes
Arizona route guideBrowse every tracked Arizona route.Verde Valley / Yavapai CountyJump to routes in this region.

More on Verde River

All 32
Beasley Flat RAP to Childs River AccessVerde Valley / Yavapai CountyHard · About 17 river milesBignotti Beach RAP water-entry edge to Newton Lane RAP water-entry edgeVerde River Greenway / Verde ValleyModerate · About 8 river milesBignotti Beach RAP water-entry edge to Parsons Preserve RAP water-entry edgeVerde River Greenway / Verde ValleyModerate · About 11.4 river milesBlack Bridge RAP water-entry edge to White Bridge RAP access areaVerde River Greenway / Verde ValleyModerate · About 2.2 river miles

Quick answers

Verde River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Lower TAPCO RAP to Highway 89A Bridge route on the Verde 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 Lower TAPCO RAP to Highway 89A Bridge route on the Verde River start and end?

This route starts at Lower TAPCO RAP and ends at Highway 89A Bridge, about 9.8 river miles on the water.

Is the Lower TAPCO RAP to Highway 89A Bridge route on the Verde River suitable for beginners?

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

Flag a change

See something outdated?

Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.

Report a changeEmail update