Made a high water run around 4k in the summer of 2010. The run contains some big feeling III and IV whitewater. The rapids tend to be boxed in, but there are some pools and flat water, so it never got too out of control. We travelled with some poudre raft guides who got out to scout halfway through the narrows but couldn't get a good view. Basic line was center to left past the big pourover then move back towards center away from the wall. We took out after the first canyon but it would be cool to spend some more time in there. Recommended to any Fort Collins, Larmie or Steamboat paddlers looking for a bite size wilderness run with easy shuttle no permits day run or overnight possibilities.
Northgate Canyon
Colorado – US Wyoming – US
- Class
- III- to III+
- Length
- 9.8 Mile(s)
- Gradient
- 20 FPM
- Typical season
- May to August
Current Flow
127 CFS
Gauge height: 2.71 FT
Reading from Jul 10, 2026 9:45 PM
▲ 1.50/hr (12h) ▲ 0.75/hr (24h)
Too Low
Don't bother
- Primary gauge
- NORTH PLATTE RIVER NEAR NORTHGATE, CO Gauge detail & alternatives Live gauge ↗ NOAA river forecast ↗
Recommended levels
| Minimum | 500 |
| Average | 1,500 |
| Maximum | 3,000 |
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
No photos added for this run yet.
Description
Great wilderness run that is better known for the fishing than whitewater. The upper run, Routt Access to Sixmile Gap, has only 5 named rapids in 10 miles. However the rapids are good, and can get very big at the highest levels. Below Sixmile Gap frequent Class II rapids and many camping opportunities allow the option of overnight trips. Other than the occasional riffle, the rapids are done below Prospect/Pickaroon, but the river remains quite scenic through Bennett Peak. Below Bennett the river will be Class I braided channels.
Wyoming Game and Fish map can be found here: http://wgfd.wyo.gov/accessto/Floating/UpperNPR/NPRhome.asp
Rapids
| # | Rapid | Class | Recommended flow | Description | Scout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Windy Hole | III | —–— | ||
| 2 | Cowpie | III | —–— | ||
| 3 | Narrows | III+ to IV+ | —–— | ||
| 4 | Tootsie Roll | III | —–— | ||
| 5 | Stovepipe | III | —–— |
Access
| Type | Name | Elevation | Camping | Water | Boat ramp | Vehicle access | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Put-In | Routt Access | — | No | No | No | All Vehicles | |
| Take-Out | Six-mile Gap | — | Yes | No | No | All Vehicles | 10 river miles from Routt Access. 1/4 mile uphill carry from river to parking lot. No wheels or any mechanical assist allowed (inside wilderness area). |
| Take-Out | Prospect | — | No | No | No | High Clearance | 18.4 river miles from Routt Access 4X4 only
|
| Take-Out | Pickaroon | — | Yes | No | No | All Vehicles | 18.4 river miles from Routt Access 27 mile dirt road shuttle |
| Take-Out | Bennett Peak | — | Yes | No | Yes | All Vehicles | 35.5 river miles from Routt Access. 19 mile dirt road shuttle. |
| Take-Out | Treasure Island | — | No | No | Yes | All Vehicles | 47 river miles from Routt Access |
| Take-Out | Saratoga, Wy | — | No | No | Yes | All Vehicles | 58.5 river miles from Routt 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.
External Links & Resources
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Community Run Notes
Total community notes: 1
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