Split Mountain River Rafting Guidebook
A gorgeous trip with some mild whitewater, Split Mountain is a good run if you’re in the area.
About this guide
This guide is a three star guide, meaning we consider it to be comprehensive. There’s really not much to Split Mountain, making it a wonderful trip for those new to trip planning and rafting.
Shuttles
If you do the shuttle yourself, you’re looking at two hours roundtrip so we suggest hiring a shuttle service.
River Runners Transport: Click here.
Permits
Somewhat unusual for a day trip, permits are very limited on this section. Mid September through mid May, just one permit per day is issued. Mid May through mid-September (high season) this increases to two. Permits are first come first served.
Permit website: Click here.
The range to run this is wide. For rafts 800 CFS + and you’ll be okay. North of 8,000 CFS and you should be a competent boater if you’re heading out there. Keep in mind, at high flows trips taking only an hour have been reported. Which sounds really fun, but exceptionally short if you are doing a self shuttle. Sometimes the USGS flow image breaks. If that happens, here is the direct link.
We do not have a preferred partner (yet) for the Gates of Lodore. If you are a commercial outfitter with an excellent reputation we would love to hear from you.
Split Mountain Comprehensive Rafting Guide
WARNING: Conditions change frequently and may make this guide useless. This guide is NOT a replacement for sound judgment or experience.
Class II Rapid
Class III Rapid
Put-In / Take Out
Point of Interest
Split Mountain – Class II and III
Vernal’s “Daily” Split Mountain is a local classic.
Length
Rainbow Park to Split Mountain is 8.35 miles.
Difficulty
Beginner to Moderate.
Feet per Mile
Split Mountain averages 20 FPM
Season
Runnable until the put-in road washes out or winter kicks in.
Mile 0.00 – Rainbow Park Put in: River Right. This campground / put in is open year round but there is no winter maintenance and the road can become impassable with weather. Learn more about Rainbow Park Put-In.
Mile 1.54 – Moonshine: Class III. There’s a hole located river right near the top of the rapid. Besides that it’s a fun, classic, splashy wave train. Enjoy. Learn more about Moonshine Rapid.
Mile 2.51 – SOB: Class II/III. Wave train as the river bends. Learn more about SOB Rapid.
Mile 3.06 – School Boy: Class II. Read and run wave train.
Mile 6.40 – Inglesby: Class II. Read and run wave train. Learn more about Inglesby Rapid.
Mile 8.35 – Split Mountain Take Out: River Right. Toilets, campground. Learn more about the Split Mountain Take-Out.
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