Browns Canyon (Fisherman's Bridge to Stone Bridge)
Colorado – US
- Class
- III to IV-
- Length
- 13 Mile(s)
- Gradient
- 30 FPM
- Put-in elevation
- 7,684 Feet
- Take-out elevation
- 7,390 Feet
- Typical season
- April to August
- Author
- lmyers
Current Flow
224 CFS
Gauge height: 3.48 FT
Reading from Jul 10, 2026 9:45 PM
▼ -0.25/hr (12h) ▼ -0.13/hr (24h)
Don't bother
- Primary gauge
- ARKANSAS RIVER NEAR NATHROP, CO Gauge detail & alternatives Live gauge ↗
Recommended levels
| Minimum | 300 |
| Average | 1,500 |
| Maximum | 6,000 |
Recommended use
- Kayaking
- Rafting
- Canoeing
- SUP
- Packrafting
- Fishing
Struck-through craft are not recommended for this run.
Flow history — last 6 days
No gauge history recorded in the last 6 days.
Photos
Description
This is another quality run on the Arkansas. If you had to pick one solid class III run in CO many would choose this as the run. At higher flows this stretch approaches class IV due to the continuous nature of the run and the rapids. This area sees kayaks, rafts, fishing, commercials and just about everything else.
Despite the popularity and the roadside nature of this canyon, the area is still secluded and worth hitting.
Rapids
| # | Rapid | Class | Recommended flow | Description | Scout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Screaming Right Hand Turn Rapid | II to III | 350–2,500 | Just below the putin you will go underneath the railroad tracks and hit this rapid as you go around the bend. |
|
| 2 | Canyon Doors Rapid | III to III+ | 350–2,200 | This rapid is near where Brown's canyon starts to come together on the river corridor. This rapid is generally a good surf wave for kayakers. |
|
| 3 | Pinball Rapid | III to III+ | 350–2,200 | This boulder garden section of the river gives this rapid its name. Watch out in here at higher flows. |
|
| 4 | Zoom Flume | III to IV- | 350–2,200 | This is probably the biggest and most talked about rapid in Brown's. At higher water this can easily be a IV. Expect a narrow chute with some pushy waves. |
|
| 5 | Egg Beater Rapid | III | 400–2,200 | ||
| 6 | The Squeeze | III | 350–2,200 | ||
| 7 | Hemorrhoid Rock | II to III | 350–2,000 | ||
| 8 | Big Drop Rapid | III | 350–2,000 | ||
| 9 | Seven Stairs Rapid | III | 350–2,200 | A fun straightaway with wave trains. |
|
| 10 | Widowmaker Rapid | III to IV | 400–2,200 | Below this rapid is house rock. This is a very large rock that has been undercut by the river current. This should be avoided. Accidents and fatalities have occurred here. The meat of this rapid is referred to as the toilet bowl. |
|
| 11 | Raft Flipper Rapid | III | 350–2,200 | Where the river makes a right hand turn is a nice hole that has surprisingly flipped rafts (hence the name) |
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| 12 | Seidel's Suckhole | IV- to IV+ | 350–2,000 | This rapid becomes a very large hole at higher water. The hole is in the center of the river. The top of the rapid contains some rocks which makes you perform left to right or right to left moves to try and avoid the hole. |
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| 13 | The Graveyard | III- to III+ | 350–2,000 | Lots of rock dodging. Gets pushy with higher water |
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| 14 | Last Chance Rapid | II to II+ | 350–2,000 | A small wave right before the Hecla take out |
|
| 15 | Twin Falls Rapid | III to IV- | 350–2,000 | This is a couple of drops in succession. |
Access
| Type | Name | Elevation | Camping | Water | Boat ramp | Vehicle access | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Take-Out | Hecla Junction Access | 7,390 Feet | Yes | No | Yes | All Vehicles | This is another put-in or take-out option to cut down on miles if you don't want to float the entire Browns Canyon section. Follow Road 194 east from Highway 285 for 4 miles or so (dirt road). |
| Put-In | Fisherman's Bridge | 7,684 Feet | No | No | Yes | All Vehicles | This is the best putin for rafts. There is a fee to do so though. Kayakers may choose to put in elsewhere to avoid the fee. This area is just off Highway 285 where road 301 crosses the Arkansas (aka, fisherman's bridge). This is near Nathrop, CO |
| Take-Out | Stone Bridge Access | 7,274 Feet | No | No | Yes | All Vehicles | Where Highway 291 crosses the Arkansas river there is a good access point above the bridge and on the west side of the river. |
| Put-In | Ruby Mountain | — | Yes | No | Yes | All Vehicles | Ruby Mountain is located 1.7 river miles downstream of Fisherman's Bridge. A good access area with a campground and large boat ramp. It is found by turning on CR 301 like your going to Fisherman's Bridge, but continue a hundred yards or so north on 301 to the intersection with CR 300 (there are signs for Ruby), and take 300 east for 2-3 miles to the campground/access. |
Camps
No river camps added yet.
Permit
No permit is required, or permit info hasn't been added yet.
Fishing
No fish species have been associated with this run yet.
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