Virgin
01. South Campground (Zion NP) or Springdale to Virgin
| Difficulty | II |
| Length | 18.4 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 25 fpm |
| Gauge | North Fork Virgin River Near Springdale, Ut |
| Flow Rate as of 18 minutes | 43 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | July 21, 2020 |
Projects
On March 30, 2009 President Obama signed the Omnibus Public Lands Act of 2009 which included provisions to designate the Virgin as a Wild and Scenic River. The National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management are developing a Comprehensive River Management Plan for the Virgin Wild and Scenic [...]Read More
River Description
The listed put-in is actually on the North Fork, but just downstream lies the confluence with the East Fork, and together they become the Virgin River. (A portage around the Rockville Diversion just upstream of this confluence is highly recommended.) Downstream, the river meanders through easy riffles in a broad, flat valley, crossing Highway 9 in several places.
Be aware that the run may require considerably more caution than the class II rating implies, as you will no doubt encounter numerous debris piles, many fences (barbed wire, wire-mesh, and occasional electric fencing), several diversion structures, and at least one hazardously low bridge. Downstream of the town of Virgin, the river runs through a slot in a limestone ledge, signalling the start of a limestone canyon.
A dirt road on river-left (south bank of the river) offers a number of possible take-outs. Be certain of your take-out, as there is no access at the Quail Creek Diversion dam (the road is gated and locked), and the river downstream is Class VI.
Virgin River Runners Coalition web site includes detailed descriptions of the different sections. Also see
National Park Service - Zion
River Features
Put In
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportHeads up, there is a class III/IV rapid that is located immediately after a blind corner at coordinates 37.18778, -113.14150. Stay river left to avoid a 3 to 4 foot drop and a nasty hole. The wave train at the end of the rapid is excellent!
The Virgin River Runners Coalition website is actually www.virginriver.info (not .org - that is some Japanese site).