Know Before You Go
Respect the Yampa and other River Users
Current Yampa River Data at:
Whitewater
The pilots of watercraft should be skilled and knowledgeable about current river conditions and they should follow all of the recommended safety guidelines regarding proper equipment and safe boating practices. All recreators should be equipped with PFDs and utilize extreme caution when floating near irrigation diversions and other structures in the river. Recreators should utilize their best judgment based on conditions, experience, and safety-first protocols.
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If you recreated on the Yampa River on any section from the Flat Tops through to Deerlodge, please fill out this survey!
Quick River Stats
*Showing data from location 09244490 on the Yampa above Elkhead Creek near Hayden, CO.
Weather in Hayden
Safety Notes
Diversion
Be aware of diversion above Yampa River State park.
Private Property
Private/ Public property are marked with Red/ blue signage, respectively. These are rough estimates and not true property boundaries.
Scout Bridges
Scout railroad bridge at highway 40 ~Mile Marker 105 and bridge on north walnut/ CR 80 at high water.
Interpretive Translation of Flows
Pump Station to Dorsey
This section is mostly flatwater with some diversions that can be Class II to III depending on flows. There is limited public land on this stretch.
= All Activities
= Tubing 
= Sup/Small Craft
= Large Craft 
= Fishing
0-350 cfs (ft3/s) = River use is not recommended.
Many times when the flow is this low, the water is too warm and/or fish habitat is very limited. Leave this flow for the fishes.
350-900 cfs (ft3/s)
Tubing not advised due to lack of public land. Standing in river on private property is trespassing.
Advised.
Rafts/doreys possible but you are avoiding cobble and scraping.
Ideal trout fishing.
900-1,500 cfs (ft3/s)
Tubing not advised due to lack of public land. Standing in river on private property is trespassing.
Advised.
Ideal flows.
A little high for ideal fishing.
1,500-4,000 cfs (ft3/s)
Tubing not advised due to lack of public land. Standing in river on private property is trespassing.
Use caution, smaller crafts need whitewater experience.
High water, use caution.
Flows too high for ideal fishing.
4,000+ cfs (ft3/s)
Tubing not advised due to lack of public land. Standing in river on private property is trespassing.
Smaller crafts not advised.
High water, use caution.
Flows too high for ideal fishing.
River Miles
Use our handy table below to find out river mileage of floats on the Hayden section of Yampa River.
Access Points |
River Miles Between Access Sites |
| Hayden Pump Station | 00 |
| Yampa River State Park | 13 |
| Dorsey | 7 |
River Maps
Yampa River Access: (Click maps to enlarge)
Printable River Guide:
The Hayden Reach is covered by five maps, beginning at the Hayden Pump Station boat ramp, and covers about 20.5 miles of river, to a takeout at the Dorsey boat ramp on the downstream end of the Yampa River State Wildlife Area. Most of the run is through private land, but at the midpoint you can also take out or put in at the Yampa River State Park Headquarters boat ramp. (Note that the state wildlife area and state park facilities are two different places!) Click below to learn more and view, download, or print the guides!
River Updates on Social
* If you have an update and aren’t on social media email outreach@friendsoftheyampa.com.
*This information is provided to better prepare Yampa River users. Friends of the Yampa assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this website. Friends of the Yampa assumes no responsibility or liability for any accidents or dissatisfaction for all river users.