Black River

Blue, Arizona

Arizona

Free — you'll pick up right here.

No verdict for this water

We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.

What we do know

  • Inside Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests

    2 managing-area boundaries mapped — agency alerts for them feed this page automatically.

    Boundary data

What's missing

  • No access route mapped

    We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.

Nobody's filed a report here yet — be the first.

Why you'll love it

2.0 mi run
Flows year-round
84 cfs avg flow

River facts

Water
Flows year-round
Average flow
84 cfs
Average current
1.7 ft/s
Gradient
89.7 ft/mi
Drainage area
238 sq mi

Long-term averages modeled by USGS (NHDPlus HR), not today's conditions. Check a gauge before you go.

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Black River

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Photos

Directions & GPX

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Permits & access

Managing agency
Forest Service

About this water

Black River is a 2-mile paddling stretch near Blue, Arizona. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 84 cfs and a gradient of about 89.7 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Facts about this water

Where it is

Managed by
Forest Service

Source: USFS EDW boundaries; USGS PAD-US 4.1

Conditions

Active alerts for Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests as of Oct 9, 2026:

Source: USFS forest alerts

Nearby

Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)

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Keep exploring — more water worth the drive

North Fork East Fork Black River

~15 min drive

North Fork East Fork Black River is a 28-mile paddling stretch near Nutrioso, Arizona. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 42 cfs and a gradient of about 55.4 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Big Lake Marina

~17 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Arizona.

Blue River

~35 min drive

Blue River is a 50-mile paddling stretch near Blue, Arizona. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 56 cfs and a gradient of about 47.2 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Big Lake Boating/Launch Site

~17 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Arizona.

Big Bonito Creek

~36 min drive

Big Bonito Creek is a 32-mile paddling stretch near Vernon, Arizona. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 66 cfs and a gradient of about 106.7 feet per mile.

Big Lake South Cove Boating Site

~17 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Arizona.

San Francisco River

~47 min drive

San Francisco River is a 93-mile paddling stretch near Glenwood, New Mexico. It is ephemeral and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 116 cfs and a gradient of about 43.8 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Big Lake Railroad Cove Boating Site

~18 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Arizona.

North Fork White River

~51 min drive

North Fork White River is a 32-mile paddling stretch near Vernon, Arizona. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 137 cfs and a gradient of about 101.6 feet per mile.

South Crescent Lake Boat Site

~20 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Arizona.