| Difficulty | III-IV |
| Length | 8.7 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Deadwood River Bl Deadwood Res Nr Lowman Id |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 970 cfsrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | July 24, 2026 |
The Lower Deadwood has evolved from a roadside kayak run into a great day trip for experienced pack rafters. Following large debris-flow events in 2003, the Forest Service permanently closed the lower Julie Creek Road to full-size vehicles and converted the former road into the first several miles of the Julie Creek Trail. The result is a unique backcountry trip requiring a six-mile hike to the historic Julie Creek Campground before launching into nearly nine miles of technical whitewater.
Regulated releases from Deadwood Reservoir often provide reliable boating flows well into the summer after neighboring free-flowing rivers have dropped below runnable levels. Cold water, a remote setting, and a sustained gradient make for an outstanding wilderness-style run.
The river begins with a short Class III warm-up before reaching the confluence with Nellies Creek. A massive debris flow has dramatically altered the channel here, creating the largest rapid on the run. This Class IV+ drop, formed by the debris fan extending into the river, is easily viewed from the hiking trail and deserves a careful scout on the hike in.
Below Nellies Creek, the Deadwood settles into its defining character: nearly four miles of continuous Class IV whitewater with very few opportunities to relax. Rapids are generally technical boulder gardens with occasional holes and lots of fun waves. The gradient gradually eases into Class III before a short section of flatwater provides a welcome opportunity to regroup.
About a mile above the Julie Creek Trailhead, the river enters a second, shorter section of continuous Class IV whitewater before gradually tapering into enjoyable Class III as it approaches the South Fork Payette River.
Wood is the defining hazard on this run. Because Deadwood Reservoir regulates nearly the entire drainage, the river rarely experiences the large spring floods that naturally flush fallen trees downstream. Wildfire has also increased the sup
...Accessing the river at this point requires a six mile hike in from the bottom or boating down on the Upper. The access is on river left upstream of the bridge at the old Julie Creek Campground.
A major debris flow down Nellies Basin Creek has created a class IV+ rapid marking the start of continuous whitewater for the next several miles. The action begins here as class IV+ that slows transitions to class IV and then class III.
After a short flatwater stretch the Deadwood drops into a fun continuous whitewater stretch of class IV- tapering down to class III+ to the confluence with the South Fork Payette.
The road upstream of the trailhead is gated and is now effectively a trail. It is a six mile hike upstream along river right from this point to reach the put-in upstream of the bridge.
Take out in the campground upstream of the bridge at the confluence. You can leave a vehicle at the Deadwood Access or just jog back up to the trailhead.