Cache La Poudre
11. Fort Collins Play Park
| Difficulty | II |
| Length | 1.4 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Permit | |
| Gauge | Cache La Poudre River at Fort Collins, Co |
| Flow Rate as of 40 minutes | 202 cfsrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | May 31, 2025 |
River Description
The Poudre River flows through Fort Collins, and although much of its water is diverted, it occasionally has sufficient flow for boating. A short stretch from Shields Street to Legacy Park offers an approximately one-mile float, while the whitewater park provides a fun destination for river play. A paved bike trail runs along this entire section of the river, making it easy to set up a bike shuttle. As a free-flowing waterway, the Poudre’s levels are not regulated and can change rapidly. Visitors are encouraged to check real-time streamflow data and consult safety resources such as the Play It Safe on the Poudre initiative, which offers maps and river safety tips.
Located just north of Fort Collins’ historic Old Town, the Poudre Whitewater Park is a riverside destination where recreation, restoration, and urban access come together. Opened in 2019, the park was designed to return the Cache la Poudre River to a more natural state while providing a safe and engaging space for people of all ages to enjoy the water. It serves as both a recreational hub and a model for floodplain restoration and ecological design, connecting the river corridor to the city through trails and public access points. Although the park prioritizes safety, the river remains inherently unpredictable, and caution is advised—especially during high flows.
The Poudre Whitewater Park is located at 201 East Vine Drive, just off College Avenue. Its proximity to downtown makes it an easy stop for locals and visitors alike, and it connects directly to the Poudre Trail by way of a pedestrian bridge. The heart of the park is its whitewater features: two engineered drop structures designed for kayakers, paddleboarders, and tubers to test their skills. These features come alive when the river is flowing at 200 cfs or more, forming waves suitable for playboating and fun river running. Seasonal snowmelt, especially in late spring, often brings the best water conditions, though flows var
...River Features
Shields Street River Access
Parking and river access on river left at the Shields Street Bridge across the river. This access serves as a put-in for an approximately 1 mile float on the Poudre River upstream of the whitewater park.
Legacy Park Bridge
Take out here to avoid the Lake Canal Dam hazard immediately downstream.
Lake Canal Dam
Dam hazard that should be portaged. A take-out upstream of the dam is available but no formal access is available downstream of the dam.
Poudre River Whitewater Park
The Poudre River Whitewater Park in Fort Collins, Colorado, opened in 2019 as part of a larger effort to revitalize the Cache la Poudre River corridor. The development of the 11-acre park included removal of the Coy Diversion Dam transforming a once-neglected section of the river into a vibrant recreational area featuring engineered whitewater features for kayakers and tubers, a pedestrian bridge, and restored riverbanks that support both ecological health and public enjoyment. The park's inception can be traced back to 1986, when Fort Collins became the first city in Colorado to secure a recreational in-channel diversion (RICD) water right at the old Coy Diversion Dam—pioneering legal protection of flows for recreation. This early step helped make the park possible, blending outdoor fun with environmental restoration and setting a statewide precedent for river recreation rights.
Railroad Trestle Take-Out
Exit the river before the railroad trestle at the downstream end of the whitewater park.
Poudre River Whitewater Park Parking Lot
Parking area for the Poudre River Whitewater Park. It is a short walk from the parking area to the whitewater park.