Colorado

05. Burns to Dotsero(Burns Canyon)

Reach banner
DifficultyII(III)
Length24.9 mi
Avg Gradientn/a
GaugeColorado River at Catamount Bridge, Co
Flow Rate as of 30 minutes
507 cfsbelow recommended
Reach Info Last UpdatedOctober 30, 2023

Projects

Upper Colorado River (CO)

American Whitewater has led the recreational boating voice in the management of the Upper Colorado River since 2007. At that time, the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released its report on the eligibility of rivers in the Upper Colorado River basin for Wild and Scenic River designation. In [...]Read More


River Description

Usually associated with optimal Burns hole levels, this run is likely a park and play for most kayakers. This feature is not worth a big drive, rather, if you are en-route to other nearby attractions, Burns could dial in a session. Great 3-day trip for beginner packrafters (we hitchhiked) or intermediates who like solitude/scenery.

Scene of a few rodeos and epic beat downs, Burns has potential for good surf, and is otherwise a Class II section.


River Features

Burns hole

Distance: 0 mi
Burns hole

This feature creates a thrashy hole at medium flows

Put In

Distance: 0 mi

Take Out

Distance: 35 mi
Take Out

Brother trip in packrafts. Quiet, excellent solitude, and went by quick enough to get a Glenwood Canyon run in, too.

Nathan Fey
Nathan Fey

Jun 19, 2014


Early morning on the river