Free — you'll pick up right here.

California

Elk Creek

No verdict for this water

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

What we do know

  • Inside Yuki Wilderness

    Wilderness area boundary is mapped — agency alerts for it 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

15.6 mi run
Seasonal — can run dry
284 cfs avg flow

River facts

Water
Seasonal — can run dry
Average flow
284 cfs
Average current
1.2 ft/s
Gradient
189.1 ft/mi
Drainage area
114 sq mi

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

Here's your day on the water, mapped

Elk Creek

AI-suggested draft · review before you go

Building your full AI plan…
More about this water ↓

Photos

Directions & GPX

Get Directions

Permits & access

Managing agency
Bureau of Land Management

About this water

Elk Creek is a 16-mile paddling stretch near Covelo, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 284 cfs and a gradient of about 189.1 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

Add to a trip & share

Keep exploring — more water worth the drive

Eel RiverPhoto: Jan Kronsell, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Eel River

~18 min drive

Eel River is a 28-mile paddling stretch near Potter Valley, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 1,281 cfs and a gradient of about 157.3 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Pogie Point Boating Site

~19 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

Outlet CreekPhoto: Thewellman, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Outlet Creek

~31 min drive

Outlet Creek is a 13-mile paddling stretch near Willits, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 422 cfs and a gradient of about 15.0 feet per mile.

Russian RiverPhoto: The original uploader was Finlay McWalter at English Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Russian River

~36 min drive

Russian River is a 11-mile paddling stretch near Redwood Valley, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 187 cfs and a gradient of about 58.0 feet per mile.

Thatcher Creek

~9 min drive

Thatcher Creek is an 8-mile paddling stretch near Covelo, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 90 cfs and a gradient of about 295.4 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Eden Creek

~11 min drive

Eden Creek is a 12-mile paddling stretch near Willits, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 65 cfs and a gradient of about 175.2 feet per mile.

Garcia Creek

~12 min drive

Garcia Creek is a 4.5-mile paddling stretch near Willits, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 37 cfs and a gradient of about 472.2 feet per mile.

Wesley Ives Creek

~13 min drive

Wesley Ives Creek is a 3.2-mile paddling stretch near Covelo, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 32 cfs and a gradient of about 481.3 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Smokehouse Creek

~14 min drive

Smokehouse Creek is a 9.2-mile paddling stretch near Potter Valley, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 39 cfs and a gradient of about 300.3 feet per mile.

Salmon Creek

~17 min drive

Salmon Creek is a 3-mile paddling stretch near Potter Valley, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 44 cfs and a gradient of about 52.6 feet per mile.