State routes

Colorado Rivers

Compare 48 tracked Colorado paddle routes with route links, water-level context, difficulty, and access planning details.

28 routes support live scores. 20 planning-only routes provide trip details and source links without a live route score.

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48 routes15 rivers40 regions1 beginner routes

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Coverage snapshot

Explore supported Colorado rivers

Scan the highlighted river network from above, then use the route guides and access markers to find a supported reach.

48 route markers10 multi-route rivers1 beginner routes

Supported riverSelected reachAccess-point connectionStrong conditionsGood conditionsWatch closelySkip

Upper Colorado River / Colorado River Valley and Kremmling Field Offices 4 Gunnison River / Gunnison County 2 Taylor Canyon / Gunnison County 2 Upper Colorado River / Kremmling Field Office 2 Yampa River State Park / Moffat County 2 Yampa River State Park / Routt County 2 Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area / Royal Gorge approach 1 Aspen / North Star Nature Preserve 1

Live conditions

Best Colorado routes today

Loading current scores, gauge reads, and weather signals.

--Live

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area / Royal Gorge approach

Arkansas River

Pinnacle Rock to Parkdale Recreation Site

Hard | Approximately 17.2 river miles | Plan a full daylight window, typically 5–8 hours, for sustained Class III water, scouting, breaks, and shuttle timing. | Live score supported

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--Live

Bighorn Sheep Canyon / Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Arkansas River

Rincon to Pinnacle Rock

Moderate | Approximately 19.5 river miles | Plan a full daylight window, typically 6–9 hours, for a long moving-water reach, breaks, scouting, and shuttle timing. | Live score supported

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--Live

Salida / Bighorn Sheep Canyon / Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Arkansas River

Salida Whitewater Park to Rincon

Moderate | Approximately 10 river miles | Plan 4–6 daylight hours for moving-water scouting, breaks, cold-water preparation, and shuttle timing. | Live score supported

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--Live

Salida / Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Arkansas River

Stone Bridge to Salida Whitewater Park (Salida Town Run)

Moderate | Approximately 9.5 river miles to the Riverside Park / F Street exit | Plan a full daylight window for moving-water scouting, the Salida feature line, breaks, cold-water preparation, and shuttle timing. | Live score supported

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Best route options

Good starting points in Colorado

Ranked from route metadata, source support, difficulty, and logistics.

The Roaring Fork River in Aspen, Colorado, used as general Slaughterhouse corridor context.

Colorado routeAspen / North Star Nature PreserveRoaring Fork RiverSouth Gate to North Star Pedestrian BridgeA guarded South Gate-to-North Star Pedestrian Bridge float with direct 09073400 telemetry, an official 20 cfs mandatory-closure floor, 60–600 cfs normal...

Route facts

Easy | Approximately 1.3 river miles | Allow a daylight window for unloading, a gentle float, wildlife-aware passage, designated-beach rules, cold-water preparation, and active loading at the take-out. | Live score supportedofficial source support

The Arkansas River flows through Colorado between rocky banks.

Colorado routeBighorn Sheep Canyon / Arkansas Headwaters Recreation AreaArkansas RiverRincon to Pinnacle RockA long public Rincon-to-Pinnacle Rock reach with direct Parkdale telemetry, official corridor flow guidance, multiple named AHRA access sites, documente...

Route facts

Moderate | Approximately 19.5 river miles | Plan a full daylight window, typically 6–9 hours, for a long moving-water reach, breaks, scouting, and shuttle timing. | Live score supportedofficial source support

Colorado routeSalida / Bighorn Sheep Canyon / Arkansas Headwaters Recreation AreaArkansas RiverSalida Whitewater Park to RinconA public Salida-to-Rincon day run with direct 07091200 telemetry, official corridor flow guidance, named CPW and city endpoints, Class II–III hazards, a...

Route facts

Moderate | Approximately 10 river miles | Plan 4–6 daylight hours for moving-water scouting, breaks, cold-water preparation, and shuttle timing. | Live score supportedofficial source support

Colorado routeSalida / Arkansas Headwaters Recreation AreaArkansas RiverStone Bridge to Salida Whitewater Park (Salida Town Run)A public Stone Bridge-to-Salida town run with direct 07091200 telemetry, corridor-linked flow planning, named AHRA and city access, a mandatory Salida e...

Route facts

Colorado routeArkansas Headwaters Recreation Area / Royal Gorge approachArkansas RiverPinnacle Rock to Parkdale Recreation SiteA guarded public Class III Pinnacle Rock-to-Parkdale reach with direct Parkdale telemetry, official corridor flow guidance, designated endpoints, and a...

Route facts

Hard | Approximately 17.2 river miles | Plan a full daylight window, typically 5–8 hours, for sustained Class III water, scouting, breaks, and shuttle timing. | Live score supportedofficial source support

The recreational channel and fish ladder at Granite Boat Chute on the Arkansas River in Colorado.

Colorado routeUpper Arkansas River / Arkansas Headwaters Recreation AreaArkansas RiverGranite Boat Chute to Buena Vista Whitewater ParkAdvanced Class III-V whitewater corridor with managed public access, CPW station-tied flow advisories, optional AHRA camping, and a required portage/sco...

Route facts

Hard | Approximately 18 river miles; verify the selected AHRA segment distance against the current park map | Plan a full daylight window with scouting, portage time, breaks, and shuttle timing; no fixed trip time is promised. | Planning only · no live scoreofficial source support

Beginner routes

Colorado beginner routes

These routes are tagged easy in the route data. Today's water can still change the call.

Roaring Fork RiverSouth Gate to North Star Pedestrian BridgeAspen / North Star Nature Preserve | Approximately 1.3 river miles

Weekend planning

Routes with practical logistics

Use the live weekend board for score-based recommendations.

Arkansas RiverGranite Boat Chute to Buena Vista Whitewater ParkApproximately 18 river miles; verify the selected AHRA segment distance against the current park map | Plan a full daylight window with scouting, portage time, breaks, and shuttle timing; no fixed trip time is promised.Arkansas RiverParkdale Recreation Site to Centennial Park (Royal Gorge)Approximately 10.3 river miles | Plan a full daylight window for continuous Class IV–V scouting, rescue readiness, breaks, and shuttle timing.Arkansas RiverPillar Park / Chapa Place to Union Avenue (Pueblo Whitewater Park)Approximately 0.5 river miles | Allow a daylight window for parking, feature inspection, scouting, repeated laps, and a conservative exit at Union Avenue.Arkansas RiverPinnacle Rock to Parkdale Recreation SiteApproximately 17.2 river miles | Plan a full daylight window, typically 5–8 hours, for sustained Class III water, scouting, breaks, and shuttle timing.Arkansas RiverRincon to Pinnacle RockApproximately 19.5 river miles | Plan a full daylight window, typically 6–9 hours, for a long moving-water reach, breaks, scouting, and shuttle timing.Arkansas RiverSalida Whitewater Park to RinconApproximately 10 river miles | Plan 4–6 daylight hours for moving-water scouting, breaks, cold-water preparation, and shuttle timing.

Browse coverage

Rivers and regions

Expand a river or region to browse its routes.

By river

Arkansas River8

Arkansas River hub Fisherman's Bridge to Stone Bridge (Browns Canyon)Granite Boat Chute to Buena Vista Whitewater Park Parkdale Recreation Site to Centennial Park (Royal Gorge)Pillar Park / Chapa Place to Union Avenue (Pueblo Whitewater Park)Pinnacle Rock to Parkdale Recreation Site Rincon to Pinnacle Rock Salida Whitewater Park to Rincon Stone Bridge to Salida Whitewater Park (Salida Town Run)

Colorado River6

Colorado River hub Pumphouse Recreation Area to Radium Recreation Area Pumphouse Recreation Area to State Bridge Recreation Site Radium Recreation Area to Rancho Del Rio State Bridge Recreation Site to Catamount Bridge Boat Launch State Bridge Recreation Site to Two Bridges River Access Two Bridges River Access to Catamount Bridge Boat Launch

Colorado River5

Colorado River hub Beavertail Mountain cutoff to Roller Dam take-out Corn Lake State Park to Redlands Parkway Boat Ramp Grizzly Creek Boat Ramp to Two Rivers Park Riverbend Park (Harky's Launch) to Corn Lake State Park Two Rivers Park to South Canyon River Access

Eagle River5

Eagle River hub Camp Hale historical-site access to Red Cliff / Gilman Gorge put-in Edwards Water Treatment Plant to Chambers Park / Eagle Whitewater Park (Lower Eagle)FR 707 to Forest Service Visitor Center (Minturn Town Run)Highway 24 roadside access to 1/4 mile above the Eagle River confluence Riverbend bus stop to Edwards Water Treatment Plant (Upper Eagle)

Roaring Fork River5

Roaring Fork River hub Bob Terrell State Wildlife Area to Black Bridge Fisherman’s Park to Bob Terrell State Wildlife Area Henry Stein Park to Wilton Jaffee Sr. Park South Gate to North Star Pedestrian Bridge Weller Lake to Difficult Campground

Yampa River4

Yampa River hub Duffy Mountain to Juniper Canyon Hayden Pump Station to Yampa River State Park Headquarters Juniper Canyon to Maybell Bridge Yampa River State Park Headquarters to State Wildlife Area (Dorsey)

Gunnison River3

Gunnison River hub Almont to North Bridge Chukar Boat Launch to Gunnison Forks Day-Use Recreation Site Gunnison Whitewater Park

Taylor River3

Taylor River hub Above Todd’s Slot to below Todd’s Slot CR 748 Bridge to Pieplant Ranch / CR 742.8 access Five Mile Access to Almont

Clear Creek2

Clear Creek hub Golden Whitewater Park to Vanover Park Kermit's Access to County Line / Highway 119

San Miguel River2

San Miguel River hub Down Valley Park to Specie Creek (San Miguel Canyon)Specie Creek to Beaver Creek (Lower San Miguel Canyon)

Cache la Poudre River1

Shields Street River Access to Legacy Park Bridge

Cross Creek1

Above Snap to Cross Creek confluence near Minturn

Crystal River1

Yule Quarry Bridge near Marble to Redstone take-out

East River1

Crested Butte South to Almont

Uncompahgre River1

Rollans Park to Ridgway Reservoir (Town Run)

By region

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area / Royal Gorge approach1

Arkansas River: Pinnacle Rock to Parkdale Recreation Site

Aspen / North Star Nature Preserve1

Roaring Fork River: South Gate to North Star Pedestrian Bridge

Bighorn Sheep Canyon / Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area1

Arkansas River: Rincon to Pinnacle Rock

Browns Canyon / Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area1

Arkansas River: Fisherman's Bridge to Stone Bridge (Browns Canyon)

Clear Creek / Golden1

Clear Creek: Golden Whitewater Park to Vanover Park

Clear Creek Canyon / Clear Creek County1

Clear Creek: Kermit's Access to County Line / Highway 119

Crystal River Valley / Marble to Redstone1

Crystal River: Yule Quarry Bridge near Marble to Redstone take-out

De Beque Canyon / Cameo1

Colorado River: Beavertail Mountain cutoff to Roller Dam take-out

Eagle River / Avon–Edwards1

Eagle River: Riverbend bus stop to Edwards Water Treatment Plant (Upper Eagle)

East River / Gunnison County1

East River: Crested Butte South to Almont

Fort Collins / Cache la Poudre1

Cache la Poudre River: Shields Street River Access to Legacy Park Bridge

Glenwood Canyon / Lower Colorado River1

Colorado River: Grizzly Creek Boat Ramp to Two Rivers Park

Grand Valley / Clifton to Grand Junction1

Colorado River: Corn Lake State Park to Redlands Parkway Boat Ramp

Grand Valley / Palisade to Clifton1

Colorado River: Riverbend Park (Harky's Launch) to Corn Lake State Park

Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area / Montrose County1

Gunnison River: Chukar Boat Launch to Gunnison Forks Day-Use Recreation Site

Gunnison River / Gunnison County2

Gunnison River: Almont to North Bridge Gunnison River: Gunnison Whitewater Park

Homestake Valley / Red Cliff1

Homestake Creek: Highway 24 roadside access to 1/4 mile above the Eagle River confluence

Lower Colorado River / Glenwood Springs1

Colorado River: Two Rivers Park to South Canyon River Access

Lower Eagle River / Edwards–Eagle1

Eagle River: Edwards Water Treatment Plant to Chambers Park / Eagle Whitewater Park (Lower Eagle)

Pueblo / Arkansas River1

Arkansas River: Pillar Park / Chapa Place to Union Avenue (Pueblo Whitewater Park)

Roaring Fork Gorge / Aspen to Woody Creek1

Roaring Fork River: Henry Stein Park to Wilton Jaffee Sr. Park

Roaring Fork Valley / Basalt to Carbondale1

Roaring Fork River: Fisherman’s Park to Bob Terrell State Wildlife Area

Roaring Fork Valley / Carbondale to Glenwood Springs1

Roaring Fork River: Bob Terrell State Wildlife Area to Black Bridge

Royal Gorge / Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area1

Arkansas River: Parkdale Recreation Site to Centennial Park (Royal Gorge)

Salida / Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area1

Arkansas River: Stone Bridge to Salida Whitewater Park (Salida Town Run)

Salida / Bighorn Sheep Canyon / Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area1

Arkansas River: Salida Whitewater Park to Rincon

San Miguel River / Norwood1

San Miguel River: Specie Creek to Beaver Creek (Lower San Miguel Canyon)

San Miguel River / Placerville1

San Miguel River: Down Valley Park to Specie Creek (San Miguel Canyon)

Taylor Canyon / Gunnison County2

Taylor River: Above Todd’s Slot to below Todd’s Slot Taylor River: Five Mile Access to Almont

Taylor Park / Gunnison County1

Taylor River: CR 748 Bridge to Pieplant Ranch / CR 742.8 access

Uncompahgre River / Ridgway1

Uncompahgre River: Rollans Park to Ridgway Reservoir (Town Run)

Upper Arkansas River / Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area1

Arkansas River: Granite Boat Chute to Buena Vista Whitewater Park

Upper Colorado River / Colorado River Valley and Kremmling Field Offices4

Colorado River: Pumphouse Recreation Area to Radium Recreation Area Colorado River: Radium Recreation Area to Rancho Del Rio Colorado River: State Bridge Recreation Site to Two Bridges River Access Colorado River: Two Bridges River Access to Catamount Bridge Boat Launch

Upper Colorado River / Kremmling Field Office2

Colorado River: Pumphouse Recreation Area to State Bridge Recreation Site Colorado River: State Bridge Recreation Site to Catamount Bridge Boat Launch

Upper Eagle River / Camp Hale–Red Cliff1

Eagle River: Camp Hale historical-site access to Red Cliff / Gilman Gorge put-in

Upper Eagle River / Holy Cross Wilderness1

Cross Creek: Above Snap to Cross Creek confluence near Minturn

Upper Eagle River / Minturn1

Eagle River: FR 707 to Forest Service Visitor Center (Minturn Town Run)

Upper Roaring Fork / Aspen1

Roaring Fork River: Weller Lake to Difficult Campground

Yampa River State Park / Moffat County2

Yampa River: Duffy Mountain to Juniper Canyon Yampa River: Juniper Canyon to Maybell Bridge

Yampa River State Park / Routt County2

Yampa River: Hayden Pump Station to Yampa River State Park Headquarters Yampa River: Yampa River State Park Headquarters to State Wildlife Area (Dorsey)

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All tracked routes

Every Colorado route on Paddle Today

48 routes with condition and access details.

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Quick answers

Colorado paddling FAQ

How does Paddle Today choose Colorado paddle routes?

Paddle Today lists source-backed routes with reviewed access and trip information. This page includes 28 routes with live-score support and 20 planning-only routes across 15 rivers. Planning-only routes do not have a live route score.

Are these Colorado river conditions live?

Scored routes show the latest available conditions, subject to data availability. Planning-only routes provide trip information and source links without a live route score. Check update times and missing-data notices, and verify conditions with the linked managers before leaving.

Can I request another Colorado route?

Yes. Use the request form to send the river, reach, access points, and any source links. Requests help prioritize useful additions with verified public access and route evidence.