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Paddling Sports: Colorado

Quick Facts

Piedra River

Outfitters and Guides

		Satellite and Topo Map

General Description

The Piedra flows south out of the San Juan Mountains and into the San Juan River to form Navajo Lake. It offers some 40 miles of exceptionally beautiful wild trout fishing. The Piedra also offers challenging intermediate whitewater runs.

The Piedra is very cold water. The river is not navigable by open canoe and paddle rafts are not recommended. The average gradient is 53 feet per mile with swift flow and infrequent slack pools. There is a 74.0 mile shuttle.

FOR INFORMATION ON SECTION BELOW FIRST FORK, CONTACT:
USDA Forest Service
San Juan National Forest
Columbine Ranger District
P.O. Box 439
Bayfield, CO 81122
Telephone (970) 884-2512

FOR INFORMATION ON SECTION ABOVE FIRST FORK, CONTACT:
USDA Forest Service
San Juan National Forest
Pagosa Ranger District
P.O. Box 310
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
Telephone (303) 264-2268

RIO GRANDE
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
USDA Forest Service
Rio Grande National Forest
Divide Ranger District
Creede Avenue & 3rd St.
Creede, CO 81130
Telephone (970) 658-2556

Directions from Pagosa Springs, Colorado: Travel 16.0 miles north on County Road 600 (Forest Service Road 631) to Piedra Picnic Ground.

Directions from Bayfield, Colorado: Intermediate access 17.0 miles east on Colorado Hwy 160, then north on First Fork Road 12.0 miles (Forest Service Road 622) to the end of the road.

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Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	Fishing	The Piedra offers some 40 miles of exceptionally beautiful wild trout fishing.	Yes
	Kayaking	The river is not navigable by open canoe and paddle rafts are not recommended.	Yes
	Rivers & Streams	Piedra River	Yes

Related Activities

Piedra Falls - One of the more popular waterfalls on the Pagosa District of the San Juan.

Piedra Falls Mountain Bike Route - The route goes through dense stands of timber and along the middle fork of the Piedra River. The ride is fairly flat with a few slight uphill grades.

Piedra Picnic Ground - This picnic area is 2.5 miles south of Bridge Campground and has five sunny sites adjacent to the East Fork of the Piedra River. The Piedra River Trailhead is across the Piedra Road from the picnic area turnoff.