A free-flowing snowmelt river cutting through Dinosaur National Monument, known for powerful rapids, dramatic scenery, and a short but intense spring season. High-demand permits reflect its pristine, wild character.
Snapshot
Important information for this section of river
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Current Availability
The following dates have one or more sites available
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Last checked 3 days ago
Water Level
FAQ: What's the current water level for Yampa River?
53 CFS
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FAQ: What's the ideal range for this section of river?
1,300 – 25,000 CFS
Key Dates
Here are some key dates to remember for Yampa River.
May 11 – Sep 12
Permit Details
All Low Use permits from March 7th 2026 - March 6th 2027, as well as any unclaimed high use permits. Available at 8:00 a.m. MT on March 6
Common Questions
What paddlers most often want to know about Yampa River.
Do I need a permit to run the Yampa River through Dinosaur National Monument?
Yes — a permit from Recreation.gov is required for all private trips on the Yampa River through Dinosaur National Monument. Low-use dates and unclaimed high-use permits become available at 8:00 AM MT on March 6 each year.
What class of rapids does the Yampa River in Dinosaur National Monument have?
The Yampa River runs Class II–IV, with Warm Springs Rapid (Class IV) being the most significant feature. Warm Springs formed in 1965 after a flash flood dramatically reshaped the channel and is now the most powerful and closely scouted rapid on the river.
What makes the Yampa River special compared to other permit rivers?
The Yampa is the last major free-flowing river in the Colorado River system — it runs entirely on natural snowmelt from the Flat Tops Wilderness with no upstream dams. This makes its flow timing and character fundamentally different from regulated rivers, giving it a wild, unpredictable energy no dam-controlled river can replicate.
When does the Yampa River season run in Dinosaur National Monument?
The Yampa River season is driven by snowmelt from the Flat Tops Wilderness, typically running from late April through late June. The window is short — most seasons peak in May and can shut down by early July in drought years — making permit timing critical.
What are the most famous rapids on the Yampa River in Dinosaur?
Warm Springs Rapid (Class IV) is the Yampa's defining feature — a powerful, technical drop that formed in 1965 and is carefully scouted by nearly every group. Other notable rapids include Tepee, Hells Half Mile (Class III+), and several significant drops through Whirlpool Canyon after the confluence with the Green River.
Weather Forecast
What's the daily forecast at the put-in for Yampa River?