Determine a river stretch suitable for your equipment, skill and time commitment.
Cisco to Fish Ford
Highlights
Flat water winding around islands. Some homesteads/private land on the riverside.
Length
5 miles
Getting there
From I-70, take exit 214. Turn south at the stop sign. This road leads to the ghost town of Cisco. Turn left at a decrepit building with a faded mural. This road intersects with another. Turn left. In 2.5 miles, stay left at a Y to go to the Cisco boat ramp.
Description
Camping is not allowed at the Cisco boat ramp. There are vault toilets here.
Fish Ford to Dewey Bridge
Highlights
Flat water among low hills. SR 128 begins to parallel the river 7 miles downstream. At 9.5 miles downstream, the Dolores River enters on river left.
Length
11 miles
Getting there
From I-70, take exit 214. This road leads to the ghost town of Cisco. Turn left at a decrepit building with a faded mural. This road intersects with another. Turn left. In 2.5 miles, go right at a Y to get to Fish Ford river access.
Description
Camping is allowed at Fish Ford. There is a short distance between the end of the road and the river’s edge, so you will have to carry your boat. There is a small dirt boat ramp.
Dewey Bridge to Hittle Bottom
Highlights
Flat water flowing under high cliff walls. Bull Canyon is river right in 2.5 miles downstream. Good hike.
Length
6 miles
Getting there
Dewey Bridge is 28.7 miles from the junction of SR 128 with US Highway 191.
Description
Camping is allowed at both Dewey Bridge and Hittle Bottom campgrounds based on first come first served. Often occupied by car camping folks. There is a vault toilet here.
Hittle Bottom to Onion Creek
Highlights
Flat water flows to this access on river left. There are two sloped boat ramps into the river at Onion Creek. Rapids begin immediately downstream of this point.
Length
2 miles
Getting there
Hittle Bottom is 23 miles from the junction of SR 128 with US Highway 191.
Description
Camping is allowed in designated sites on river right. There is a fee. Based on first come first served. Often occupied by car camping folks. There are vault toilets here.
Onion Creek to Rocky Rapid/Ida Gulch
Highlights
Four class II-III rapids are located in this section. Not suitable for flat-water craft. Boaters taking out at Rocky Rapid must stay center or left in the rapid and cut left immediately afterward to access the boat ramp.
Length
5 miles
Getting there
Onion Creek is 19.5 miles from the junction of SR 128 with US Highway 191. Turn left onto a dirt road that leads to the campground and river access.
Description
Camping is allowed only in designated sites on river right. Based on first come first served. No camping is allowed at Rocky Rapid.
Rocky Rapid/Ida Gulch to Big Sandy Beach
Highlights
Class II-III rapids are in this section. Not suitable for flat-water craft. All boaters are encouraged to stay left at White’s Rapid just downriver from the lodge, to avoid rough water and recirculating hydraulics.
Length
4 miles
Getting there
Rocky Rapid is 16 miles from the Junction of SR 128 with US Highway 191.
Description
Camping is not allowed at the Rocky Rapid river access. There are vault toilets here.
Big Sandy to Take Out
Highlights
Rapids are in this section.
Length
3 miles
Getting there
Big Sandy is 11.8 miles from the junction of SR 128 with US Highway 191.
Description
Camping is not allowed at the Rocky Rapids, Big Sandy or Take Out river access. There are vault toilets here.
Take Out to Big Bend Campground
Highlights
At Big Bend there is a rapid. This access is NOT a boat ramp. There is a distance between the end of the road and the river’s edge.
Length
4 miles
Getting there
Take Out is 9.9 miles from the Junction of SR 128 with US Highway 191.
Description
Camping is allowed at Big Bend Campground. There is a fee. Based on first come first served. Often occupied by car camping folks. Vault toilets here.
Big Bend to Moab Bridge
Highlights
Watch for an additional rapid below Big Bend before regaining flat-water. Afternoons can have significant upstream wind.
Length
8 miles
Getting there
Big Bend is 7.5 miles from the junction of SR 128 with US Highway 191.
Description
Camping is not allowed at the Moab Bridge area. Across the pedestrian bridge in Lion’s Park there are toilets and water.
Moab Bridge to Gold Bar
Highlights
Flat-water from the wide Moab Valley into a narrower corridor after entering the West Portal. SR 279 parallels the Colorado River to Gold Bar and Potash. Navigate around islands.
Length
10 miles
Getting there
There is a steep dirt boat ramp on the north side of the Colorado River. From SR 128 travel north, make a right turn after crossing the river bridge. Be advised, in exiting this access, make only a right-hand turn. Go over Courthouse Wash bridge to turn around in a trailhead parking lot on the right.
Description
Camping is allowed at Gold Bar Campground. There is a fee. Based on first come first served. Often occupied by car camping folks. Vault toilets here. There are marked trails nearby for hiking.
Gold Bar to Potash Boat Ramp
Highlights
Flat-water. This is the last vehicular river access; do not miss the take out!
Length
7 miles
Getting there
Goldbar is 10.2 miles from the junction of SR 279 with US Highway 191.
Potash Boat Ramp is located at the end of the pavement of SR 279.
Description
Camping is not allowed at the Potash Boat ramp/picnic area. There are vault toilets here.