Grand
Valley Area
The city of Grand Junction lies at the confluence of the Gunnison River and what was known as the Grand River up until the early 20th century, now the Colorado River. Along with it’s sub cities that make up the Grand Valley there are around 155k people that live in this area, by far the largest population of any area between Denver and Salt Lake City. As the Colorado River cuts through the Grand Valley it mostly slowly meanders, though a few fun wave trains and one good rapid can be found here.
During the summer months there is hardly a weekend that doesn’t have a few hundred people floating down one of the stretches of the 34 miles of “town float” and the proceeding Ruby/Horsethief Canyon. Plateau Creek is a low flow creek that has around 90cfs in it most of the year but for a few weeks during the spring runoff it becomes a really fun creek to run for those with the chops. In the Plateau Creek Basin there are a couple of other minor creeks that can provide a fun outing during the runoff.
In this area we have created 6 printed maps to help you navigate.
Grand Valley (CO-300): Large size map, this map covers the same stretch as the next three.
Fruita Town (CO-302): Regular size map
Grand Junction Town (CO-303): Regular size map
Palisade Town (CO-304): Regular size map
Ruby/Horsethief (CO-301): Regular size map
Lower Plateau Creek (CO-305) Small size map
Outside of our printed maps we also have some info on runs in the Upper Plateau Creek basin on the website. Other Runs
Grand Valley
Ruby/ Horsethief
Fruita Town Run
Grand Junction Town Run
Palisade Town Run
Plateau Creek
Grand Valley Other
Run
Ruby/ Horsethief
Fruita Town Run
Grand Jucntion Town Run
Palisade Town Run
Lower Plateau Creek
Big SUR
Leon Creek
Buzzard Creek
Upper Plateau Creek
River
Colorado
Colorado
Colorado
Colorado
Plateau Creek
Colorado
Leon Creek
Buzzard Creek
Plateau Creek
Class
I/II
I/II
I/III
I/II
II/IV
Surf Wave
IV/V
IV
III/IV
Water sports are inherently dangerous sports in which severe injuries or death may occur.
Do not use this website or maps unless you are an expert, have sought out and obtained qualified professional instruction or guidance, are knowledgeable about the risks involved, and are willing to assume personal responsibility for the risks associated with these activities. If you have any doubts in your ability please stay off the water.
DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE OR MAPS UNLESS YOU ARE WILLING TO ASSUME PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACTIVITIES DESCRIBED OR DEPICTED!!!