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Arizona | Verde Valley / Yavapai County

Verde RiverLower TAPCO RAP to Tuzigoot Bridge

A short Verde River access section through the Clarkdale corridor from Lower TAPCO to Tuzigoot Bridge.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 3.3 river miles
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAllow 2–4 hours with scouting and access stops
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.
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 3.3 river milesLower TAPCO RAP to Tuzigoot 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-DecClarkdale discourages boating at 300 cfs and above and blocks boat launch areas at 1,000 cfs and above. Spring runoff can rise quickly; check the live gauge and Town access notices.

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 short Verde River access section through the Clarkdale corridor from Lower TAPCO to Tuzigoot Bridge.

Access map

Skip map

Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.

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Road shuttle

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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

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Trip schedule

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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

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Weather

Hourly forecast

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Short-route forecast

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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 Tuzigoot Bridge; 3.3 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

  • Official flow and access guidanceBoating discouraged at 300+ cfs; no boating access at 1,000+ cfs

    Town of Clarkdale guidance applies to its Lower TAPCO–Tuzigoot section. Its upper cutoff is an access closure, so this route is planning-only and has no live score.

    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

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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 Arizona

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

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Quick answers

Verde River paddling FAQ

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

This route starts at Lower TAPCO RAP and ends at Tuzigoot Bridge, about 3.3 river miles on the water.

Is the Lower TAPCO RAP to Tuzigoot 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.

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