San Juan River, Utah/Colorado
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Hundreds of millions of years in the making, the San Juan River in southeastern Utah is a place of surreal beauty and vibrancy, also perfect for swimming during the summer months!
(courtesy, O.A.R.S.)
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The San Juan is tame compared to its tributaries the Animas and Piedra. The river runs 51 miles from Sand Creek to the Navajo Reservoir in three good paddling sections. Only for a brief eight miles above Pagosa Springs is the San Juan as intimidating as its neighbors. Any paddler putting in at Sand Creek and taking out at Pagosa Springs better be an expert. East Fork Gorge is a challenging half-mile of Class V tumult.
Below Pagosa, the river is a great run for the developing enthusiast. The 16 miles down to Trujillo runs through Mesa Canyon, Class III whitewater great for the intermediate kayaker honing his skills. Rafts are perfect here for the less experienced.
Below the take-out/put-in at Trujillo Bridge, the San Juan is gentler. The 27 miles down to Navajo Reservoir drop only 540 feet. A couple of Class I and II rapids provide some breaks from what is mostly flatwater paddling. A road runs along the river for the better part of this section, with many opportunities for access.
Below the Navajo Reservoir, the river is powerful but gentle, with only an ocassional Class III rapids. It meanders through the corners of New Mexico and Utah for over 180 miles. This is a fabulous area to take up river-running. A multi-day trip (100 miles) from either Farmington, New Mexico, to Bluff, Utah, or from Bluff to Lake Powell yields a float through canyon country and plenty of opportunity for side trips to explore isolated Anasazi communities. Below Mexican Hat, the river winds through the Great Goosenecks. Here the river twists and turns in a thousand-foot chasm. Its convoluted route flows six miles to cover only a mile and a half point to point. Goosenecks State Park on the north rim offers a magnificent view of the Goosenecks' graceful curves.
Tour Operator Trips on the San Juan River, Utah/Colorado
* Trip price reflects the average cost per day for a guided rafting adventure on a given river (
= $50-$100/day;
= $100-$250/day;
= $250 or more/day) and accounts for half-day, full-day, or multiday rafting excursions. Lodging, dining, and transportation costs (airfare, car rental/shuttle, equipment rentals, etc.) have not been factored into account. Please note that the trip price classification is intended to be an approximate guideline, as the range of prices on a given river can vary based on amenities, services, and customized add-ons offered through individual outfitters.
