North Platte

I have run this river at many different flows--from 350 cfs (not recommended in a raft) to 4700 cfs. Low flows (~500 cfs at Northgate Gage ) in small boats can be a lot of fun, although technical, and the fishing and weather are usually good that time of year (late June and July). Sometimes we will do 3-day trips and take our time fishing and hiking travelling to Pickeroon. The river is accessible on the west side of the river at Pickeroon, but it is a high clearance 4WD road, and not good if it is wet or has snow.

High flows above 3,000 can be very PUSHY, with few eddies and no way to scout rapids in rafts. Kayaks are easier but can still be pushy at flows > 3,000. There are several places to camp in the main canyon above Narrow Falls and a lot places to camp downstream of 6-mile. At flows > 1,000 cfs it is easy to make a 3-day trip going from put-in in Colorado to Saratoga, and there is a NICE hotsprings in Saratoga (free). Fishing can be outstanding. If you have small kids or people that don't want to run the bigger whitewater, they can hike in 0.25 mile at 6-mile on the first day and join you for the rest of the trip. This is a nice multi-day trip without need for permit or the crowds.

If you travel down below Pickeroon make sure you know the land ownership and have a good map. There is private land down there and they are not happy with people trespassing, which includes wading and getting out to take a leak. A good map is available at fishing stores and maybe the convenience stores in Saratoga or Laramie.