The Taylor River is a small, 22-mile river that flows from the Taylor Park Dam down to Almont, where it joins the East River to form the Gunnison River. Taylor Canyon is a beautiful canyon with tall granite walls that provide a scenic setting for a family-friendly whitewater rafting trip. The Upper Taylor offers technical and splashy Class III boating, while the Lower Taylor is a beginner’s dream with miles of Class I-II. Since the flow of the Taylor River is dam-controlled, you can expect to find boatable flows from mid-May through September. This is one of the longest rafting seasons for any river in Colorado! 

The most popular commercial rafting trip on the Taylor River is the Upper Taylor, which runs five miles from the Todd’s Slot parking lot to South Bank takeout.

The Middle Taylor is Class II-III, but is not as often run by private boaters due to private property along the river. This section is often run from South Bank (the Upper Taylor take-out) to Five-Mile Bridge. 

The Lower Taylor is a classic beginner run for those learning to kayak and canoe in the Gunnison Valley. This section of whitewater is also commercially rafted and is a great alternative to the Upper Taylor for groups that want a mellow float. 

The Gunnison River is generally very family-friendly, and several outfitters run rafting trips down the miles of easy Class I and II. One of the most popular trips is the rafting and dinner trip that runs from Almont to Gunnison throughout the summer.

The Gunnison River is generally divided into two sections. The top section is easier and runs from Almont to North Bridge just north of the city of Gunnison on Highway 135. This section features continuous moving water and some splashy Class I and II rapids with great fishing.

The bottom section runs from North Bridge to Riverway Picnic Area. Riverway is also known as McCabe’s Landing. This section is very much like the first with the exception of the short section through the Gunnison Whitewater Park. Here, man-made whitewater features are designed to be larger than the natural rapids of the Gunnison. Once you’ve made it through the Gunnison Whitewater Park’s three drops, don’t let your guard down, because Psychedelic Falls lies downstream. Care must be taken to run the right slot through the rapid. Kayakers and river surfers are a common sight on the three wave features in the Gunnison Whitewater Park.

When rafting, kayaking or boating in the Gunnison Valley (and anywhere), please be courteous of all users, especially anglers. Downstream traffic has the right-of-way. Many of the rivers in Almont, Gunnison and Crested Butte run through private property. Unlike Montana and other popular fishing and boating destinations, in Colorado, private landowners can own the riverbed. Getting out of your boat or dropping anchor on private property is trespassing. 

Whitewater Rafting Etiquette:

• Know Your Skill Level – Only run rapids that match your experience and training.
• Respect the River – Follow Leave No Trace principles and avoid damaging natural features.
• Yield to Downstream Traffic – Boaters moving downstream have the right of way.
• Communicate Clearly – Use hand signals or verbal cues to coordinate with other boaters.
• Stay with Your Group – Don’t separate from your team unless necessary for safety.
• Be Aware of Swimmers – If someone is in the water, help them if you can do so safely.
• Don’t Block the Flow – Avoid stopping in narrow channels, eddies, or major rapids.
• Scout Before You Run – Always check hazards and obstacles before running unfamiliar rapids.
• Assist Others in Need – Help fellow boaters in distress and be prepared to throw a rope.
• Respect Other Users – Share the river with anglers, hikers, and other recreational users.
• Control Your Gear – Secure all equipment to avoid losing it in the river.
• Avoid Excessive Noise – Enjoy the adventure without unnecessary yelling or loud music.
• Practice Safe Passing – If overtaking another group, communicate and pass safely.
• Leave No Trace – Pack out all trash, including food wrappers, cans, and broken gear.
• Be Prepared for Rescue – Carry safety essentials like a throw bag, whistle, and first aid kit.

The Adaptive Sports Center facilitates whitewater rafting trips and other river activities for people with disabilities. 

Stand-up paddleboarding allows you to explore shorelines, take in the scenery, and enjoy the peace and quiet of the Gunnison Valley’s lakes and flat rivers. 

The easiest lakes to access are Taylor Park Reservoir, Blue Mesa Reservoir, Lake Irwin, Emerald Lake or Spring Creek Reservoir. You can drive right up to the shores of these lakes. For intrepid paddleboarders who are comfortable hiking with their board, check out Lost Lake and Long Lake.

The Slate River between Brush Creek Road and Cement Creek Road is floatable during certain times in spring. This section of river provides an up-close view of the west side of Crested Butte (the mountain). Much of the Slate River runs through private property and areas heavily populated by wildlife. Concerns about the use of the river and the affects on property and wildlife have been expressed. Future boating on the Slate River depends heavily on good behavior from all floaters. Please consult this guide to learn about access, the no-float period, and other good river etiquette to make sure you’re helping and not hurting future access to this stretch of river.

There are two locations for motorized boating in the Gunnison Valley: Blue Mesa Reservoir and Taylor Park Reservoir. Both offer some of the best fishing access in Colorado as well as gorgeous mountain views and Colorado’s famous summer sunshine. Be aware that mornings can often start with bluebird skies and no wind, but this can quickly change as storms form in the afternoon.

Blue Mesa is your best bet if your idea of a day on the lake is tubing, water skiing, or sunbathing on the bow. It sits at a lower elevation so it’s typically a bit warmer. Since it is Colorado’s largest body of water, it isn’t hard to find a spot all to yourself for the day. Boat inspections are required at your launch point before slipping into the water. You are required to have a two-day or annual pass. Elk Creek and Lake Fork are the two main boat ramps, but Steven’s Creek, Iola, and Soap Creek are open during the busy summer season.

Taylor Park Reservoir is smaller than Blue Mesa, but the scenery is off the charts. The Collegiate Peaks tower over this high-altitude lake. The only boat launch is at the Taylor Park Marina, located just past the dam as you drive up Taylor Canyon on County Road 742. Boat rentals are available at the marina as well.

• Follow Right-of-Way Rules – Powerboats yield to sailboats, kayaks, canoes, and swimmers.
• Observe No-Wake Zones – Reduce speed in marinas, docks, and areas marked as “No Wake.”
• Keep a Safe Distance – Stay clear of other boats, docks, and swimmers to avoid accidents.
• Mind Your Wake – Be aware of how your wake affects smaller boats, shorelines, and wildlife.
• Respect Quiet Areas – Avoid excessive engine noise, loud music, or revving near campsites and docks.
• Launch and Dock Efficiently – Be prepared before launching or docking to avoid delays for others.
• Do Not Block Ramps or Fuel Docks – Move your boat out of the way promptly after launching, retrieving, or fueling.
• Be Courteous When Anchoring – Give others space and avoid anchoring too close.
• Keep Passengers Safe – Ensure everyone wears a life jacket when required and stays seated while underway.
• Use Navigation Lights at Night – Follow lighting requirements to stay visible and safe.
• Follow Local Boating Laws – Obey speed limits, alcohol restrictions, and permit requirements.
• Help Fellow Boaters – Offer assistance to those in distress or who need a tow.
• Respect Anglers and Wildlife – Slow down near fishing boats and avoid disturbing wildlife.
• Stay on Designated Waterways – Avoid restricted areas, private property, and environmentally sensitive zones.
• Leave No Trace – Properly dispose of trash, fuel, and waste to keep the water clean.

Crested Butte is home to several of Colorado’s notorious steep creeks. Kayakers flock to these creeks during spring runoff, which can happen anytime between April and June. Ruby Anthracite, Oh Be Joyful, Upper Daisy Creek, and the North Fork of the Slate are all within a short drive of downtown Crested Butte. Oh Be Joyful Creek is a tributary of the Slate River and includes several 10-20-foot waterfalls. Oh Be Joyful can be accessed by hiking from the Oh Be Joyful campground. Ruby Anthracite is often run by hiking in from Kebler Pass Road on Forest Service Trail 836 for 3 miles to the intersection with Ruby Anthracite Creek. Paddle the continuous Class IV from here to Erickson Springs Campground. This riverbed is one of the most dynamic in the state and as a result boulders, trees, and landslides can often change things dramatically from year to year. Upper Daisy Creek is reached by driving or hiking even further up Poverty Gulch. There are only a few extra slides and drops and they are easily seen and scouted on your way up. 

For boaters looking for a classic overnight trip through one of the most beautiful and intimidating river canyons in the United States, look no further than the stretch of the Gunnison River through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

This is a trip that late-night campfire stories are made of. Two thousand foot granite walls rise up from the rivers edge and monstrous boulders often cause the river to disappear into hidden sieves and siphons. Although most of the rapids can be portaged, groups should be prepared and skilled enough to run multiple Class III-V rapids with serious consequences scattered throughout. One large mandatory portage is located in the heart of the canyon and involves approximately 1.5 miles of boulder hopping, poison ivy, and at least two ferries across the river to continue the portage. This trip is often done as an overnight, but for talented and fit groups that are familiar with the run it can be done in one day. Most people take out at Chukar Trailhead and hike the one mile trail up to the parking lot. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for the road to Chukar, but four-wheel drive is not required.

The best thing about the Black Canyon is that it is dam-controlled river and often runs during the shoulder seasons when everything else has gone dry. Look for the USGS Gunnison River below Gunnison Tunnel to be above 500 cfs as a minimum. Between 500 and 700 cfs the run features several extra mandatory portages. Between 700 and 1200 cfs is optimal for most groups and most rapids fill in negating several portages in exchange for some extra Class V.

For those wanting to extend their whitewater trip in the Black Canyon, a long day or an easy overnight trip starts at the Chukar Trail and ends at the Pleasure Park near Delta. This section includes lots of fun Class III and some IV at higher levels. This section of the Black Canyon can be run in a hard shell at levels as low as 300cfs. Fishing in this section is famous for turning up very large rainbow and brown trout.

The Lake Fork of the Gunnison River runs from Lake City, Colorado to Blue Mesa Reservoir. The main section to run here is from Red Bridge Campground to Gateview Campground. This section feature lots of Class III and several larger Class IV rapids. The whole run is about 4.5 miles and the road follows it the whole way on a retired railroad grade so you can scout the river as you set shuttle. Optimal flows for the Lake Fork are 500-2000 cfs on the USGS Lake Fork at Gateview gauge. The Lake Fork usually runs for just a few weeks in late spring.