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Colorado

Cliff 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 Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests
3 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

9.1 mi run

Flows year-round

39 cfs avg flow

River facts

Water: Flows year-round
Average flow: 39 cfs
Average current: 1.4 ft/s
Gradient: 317.7 ft/mi
Drainage area: 33 sq mi

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

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Cliff Creek

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Photos

Directions & GPX

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Permits & access

Managing agency: Forest Service

About this water

Cliff Creek is a 9.1-mile paddling stretch near Crested Butte, Colorado. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 39 cfs and a gradient of about 317.7 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

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Keep exploring — more water worth the drive

Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

North Fork Gunnison River

~17 min drive

North Fork Gunnison River is a 0.1-mile paddling stretch near Somerset, Colorado. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 273 cfs. Land along it is managed by the state fish and wildlife agency.

Small Boat Launch

~33 min drive

Small Boat Launch is a boat launch in Colorado.

Stevens Creek Campground

~42 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Colorado.

One Mile

~47 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Colorado.

Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Smith Fork

~40 min drive

Smith Fork is a 27-mile paddling stretch near Crawford, Colorado. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 53 cfs and a gradient of about 82.3 feet per mile.

Bay of Chickens

~41 min drive

Bay of Chickens is a boat launch in Colorado.

Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Blue Creek

~49 min drive

Blue Creek is a 3.5-mile paddling stretch near Cimarron, Colorado. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 55 cfs and a gradient of about 286.5 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

Dillon Pinnacles

~42 min drive

Dillon Pinnacles is a boat launch in Colorado.

Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Slate River

~25 min drive

Slate River is a 23-mile paddling stretch near Crested Butte, Colorado. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 152 cfs and a gradient of about 82.3 feet per mile.

Stevens Creek

~42 min drive

Stevens Creek is a boat launch in Colorado.

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