How do I match a run to my skill level?

The listings on this page are rated easy through expert. Beginner and intermediate paddlers can start with runs like the Arkansas from Florence to Pueblo Reservoir in Fremont County or the Conejos from South Fork Campground to Highway 17 Bridge in Conejos County. Hard runs like the Eagle River from Edwards to Eagle in Eagle County or Anthracite Creek from Erickson Springs Campground to the North Fork Gunnison in Gunnison County require solid Class III-IV skills and reliable self-rescue ability. Expert runs — Gore Canyon, the Numbers, Clear Creek's Rigor Mortis section — should only be attempted by experienced paddlers who have scouted the specific hazards.

What gear do I need for a Colorado whitewater trip?

At minimum, a properly fitted PFD and a helmet are non-negotiable on any moving water. Colorado rivers run cold well into summer, so a wetsuit or drysuit is standard practice on snowmelt-fed runs even in June. Bring a throw bag, a paddle float if you're in a kayak, and a dry bag for anything that can't get wet. For multi-day trips like the Dolores from Gateway to the Colorado River in Grand County, you'll need overnight camping gear sized for the boat you're running.

Are there good options for paddlers who want to build up from easier to harder runs on the same river?

The Arkansas River is the clearest example of this, with an easy stretch from Florence to Pueblo Reservoir, moderate runs through Fremont County, hard sections like Railroad Bridge to Buena Vista near Chaffee County, and the expert Numbers section above that. The Roaring Fork and Dolores also have multiple listed segments at different difficulty levels, so you can work up the gradient as your skills improve while staying in the same drainage.

Colorado · Paddling

Paddling in Colorado

Colorado's rivers cover more ground than most paddlers can tackle in a season, ranging from mellow float trips to some of the most technical whitewater in the country.

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Paddling · 100 spots

Colorado's rivers cover more ground than most paddlers can tackle in a season, ranging from mellow float trips to some of the most technical whitewater in the country. The Arkansas River alone runs the gamut, from the expert-level Numbers section near Chaffee County down through moderate stretches at Centennial Park and an easy run from Florence to Pueblo Reservoir. The Front Range puts Clear Creek's Idaho Springs Town Run and the expert Rigor Mortis section in Jefferson County within an hour of Denver, while the Western Slope opens up longer wilderness corridors like the Dolores from Slickrock to Bedrock in Montrose County and the Green River through Flaming Gorge into Moffat County. Roaring Fork paddlers work the Carbondale to Black Bridge and Black Bridge to Veltus Park runs through Garfield County, and the Gunnison offers a more relaxed pace on the Delta to Whitewater stretch in Mesa County. Snowmelt drives most of the action, so peak flows on steeper runs typically land between late April and mid-July depending on the drainage and the year's snowpack. Access points, shuttle logistics, and permit requirements vary significantly by river and county, so checking with the relevant land management agency before you go is not optional — it's part of the planning.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time of year to paddle whitewater in Colorado?

Most Colorado rivers peak between late April and mid-July as mountain snowpack melts. Steeper expert runs like Gore Canyon on the Colorado near Grand County and the Numbers on the Arkansas near Chaffee County often hit optimal levels in May and early June, while moderate runs like the Rio Grande from Lasauses to Lobatos Bridge and the Animas from Trimble Lane to 32nd Street Park in La Plata County can hold runnable flows into late summer. Check real-time gauge data for the specific river you're targeting before committing to a date.

Do I need a permit to paddle these rivers?

Permit requirements vary by river and managing agency. Some wilderness corridors and canyon sections require advance permits, particularly on rivers that cross federal land. Contact the relevant Bureau of Land Management field office or national forest district for the specific run you're planning — the Dolores, Green, and Colorado River sections in particular may have permit or registration requirements depending on the segment and season.

Paddling in Colorado

Frequently asked questions

Popular towns to start from

Featured spots

Animas — 01. Eureka to Howardsville

Animas — 07. Trimble Lane to 32nd Street Park

Animas — 09. Purple Cliffs to State Line

Anthracite Creek — 02. Erickson Springs Campground to NF Gunnison

Anthracite Creek, Ruby Fork — 01. Bridge to Erickson Springs Campground

All spots · 100

Arkansas - III — 03. Railroad Bridge Launch to Buena Vista

Arkansas — 01. Granite to Numbers Launch Site

Arkansas — 02. Numbers Launch to Railroad Bridge Launch

Arkansas — 04. Buena Vista to Fisherman's Bridge

Arkansas — 05. Fisherman's Bridge access to Stone Bridge access

Arkansas — 10. Parkdale Launch to Canon City (Royal Gorge)

Arkansas — 11. Centennial Park to Mackenzie Takeout

Arkansas — 12. MacKenzie Bridge to Florence River Park

Arkansas — 13. Florence to Pueblo Reservoir

Arkansas — 14. State Park to Play Park

Arkansas — 15. W 4th Ave Bridge to S Union Ave Bridge

Bear Creek — 01. Idledale to Morrison

Big Thompson — 02. Fishing Pier to Forks Park

Blue — 03. Green Mountain Reservoir to Spring Creek Road

Boulder Creek — 04. Blue Bridge to Eben G Fine Park

Boulder Creek — 05. Eben G Fine Park to CU Greenhouse

Boulder Creek, South — 02. Pinecliffe to Gross Mountain Reservoir

Cache La Poudre — 02. Big South Campground to Tunnel Picnic Ground

Cache La Poudre — 03. Tunnel Picnic Site to Indian Meadows Bridge

Cache La Poudre — 04. Indian Meadows Bridge to Lower Narrows Campground

Cache La Poudre — 05. Lower Narrows Campground to Steven's Gulch Access

Cache La Poudre — 06. Steven's Gulch Access to Dead Deer

Cache La Poudre — 07. Dead Deer to Poudre Park

Cache La Poudre — 08. Poudre Park Picnic Site to below Pineview Falls