The Rio Grande, or Rio Bravo del Norte, as it is known in Mexico, flows about 1,960 miles from its headwaters near Alamosa, Colorado, through New Mexico and down the Texas-Mexico border through Big Bend to Brownsville and the Gulf of Mexico. It is the fifth longest river in the US, and drains a significant portion of Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Mexico. Altogether, its 335,000 square miles of drainage basin account for about 11 percent of all continental US area. However, paddling in Colorado is generally limited to the Upper Rio Grande above the Town of South Fork, though it is possible to paddle several other sections of the river, as well.
Rio Grande and Alamosa Counties along SH 149 in the San Juan Mountains of Rio Grande National Forest. Del Norte, Torres, Monte Vista and Homelake are all located along the river between South Fork and Alamosa The Lake Fork and Cebolla Creek tributaries to the Gunnison River have their headwaters just a few miles north of this run. The Piedra, San Juan, Los Pinos, Florida and Animas Rivers all have their headwaters a few miles to the south.
Durango miles; Denver miles; Grand Junction miles; Santa Fe miles; Albuquerque miles; Phoenix miles; Salt Lake City miles; El Paso miles; Dallas miles; Austin miles; San Antonio miles; Houston miles; Oklahoma City miles; Little Rock miles; Kansas City miles. (All distances are approximate, and depend upon starting point, destination point on the river and route taken.)
There are no known liveries or outfitters operating along the Rio Grande in Colorado. Be prepared to set up and run your own shuttles.
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| Technical Data |
|
|
| Class Rating |
|
| Length |
miles |
| Minimum Flow |
cfs |
| Optimum Flow |
cfs |
| Maximum Flow |
|
| First Put-in |
Marshall Park Campground |
| Lat. / Long. |
|
| Last Take-out |
|
| Lat. / Long. |
|
| Elevation |
msl |
| Gradient |
fpm |
| USGS Gauge |
NONE |
| Boats |
Canoes, Kayaks, Rafts |
| Season |
May through June |
| Permits |
No |
 |
