Roaring Fork River, Colorado

The Roaring Fork River begins in Pitkin County high in the San Isabel National Forest and flows to the northwest through Aspen, Snowmass and Glenwood Springs to its confluence with the Colorado River. The Fryingpan River Flows into the Roaring Fork just below Snowmass, and the Crystal River joins the Roaring Fork at Carbondale. Its headwaters are between Mt. Elbert, Colorado's highest peak at 14,443 feet MSL and Independence Pass at 12,095 feet MSL. SH 82 parallels the river in very close proximity along most of its run.

Scenery everywhere along the Roaring Fork River is natural beauty at its best. The upper runs, including Slaughterhouse and Castle Creek, offer great Class IV to V- whitewater while those below Slaughterhouse are rated Class II to IV-, though all runs are dependent upon adequate water due to diversions to nearby communities. Heavy snowpack years offer the best paddling opportunities on the Roaring Fork and its tributary streams.

Click the links below for information regarding the section of the Roaring Fork River and its tributaries where you want to paddle.

[ Upper Roaring Fork ] [ Aspen Music School to Upper Woody Creek Bridge ] [ Upper Woody Creek Bridge to SH 82 Bridge ]
[ SH 82 Bridge to SH 133 Bridge ] [ SH 133 Bridge to Glenwood Springs ] [ Upper Fryingpan River ] [ Lower Fryingpan River ]