• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Uncover Colorado Logo

  • Blog
  • Activities
    • Year-round
      • Brewery Tours
      • Casinos & Gaming
      • Caves
      • Colorado Brands
      • Escape Rooms
      • Federal Lands
      • Food & Dining
      • Ghost Towns
      • Gondola & Chairlifts
      • Hot Springs
      • Lakes
      • Landmarks
      • Mine Tours
      • Mountains
      • Museums
      • Paintball
      • Performing Arts
      • Public Parks
      • Rivers
      • Scenic Drives
      • Sightseeing Tours
      • Shopping
      • Sports Teams
      • State Parks
      • Train Rides
      • Transportation
      • Winery Tours
      • Wildlife
      • Zip Lines & Aerial Parks
    • Spring, Summer & Fall
      • Amusement Parks
      • ATV Rentals
      • Biking
      • Boating
      • Camping
      • Drive-In Theaters
      • Fishing
      • Golf Courses
      • Hiking
      • Horseback Riding
      • Jeep Rentals
      • Rock Climbing
      • Tubing & Paddling
      • Waterfalls
      • Whitewater Rafting
    • Winter
      • Cross Country Skiing
      • Dog Sledding
      • Ice Climbing
      • Ice Fishing
      • Ice Skating
      • Skiing & Snowboarding
      • Sleigh Rides
      • Snow Tubing
      • Snowbiking
      • Snowmobiling
      • Snowshoeing
  • Events
    • January
    • February
    • March
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • July
    • August
    • September
    • October
    • November
    • December
  • Lodging
    • Budget Hotels
    • Historic Hotels
    • Luxury Hotels
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    • Boutique Hotels
    • Cabins & Glamping
    • Casinos w/ Lodging
    • Hot Spring w/ Lodging
    • Wineries w/ Lodging
    • Best Hotels
    • Dude Ranches
    • Campgrounds
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
  • Search
  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Lodging
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
Animas River Durango CO Early Fall Colors
Fall on the Animas River in Durango, Colo. Photo: Mike McBey

Colorado Rivers & Creeks

FacebookTwitter

Although being a notoriously dry state, Colorado boasts a myriad of rivers, creeks, and streams throughout the whole state. These hundreds of waterways are often tributaries to larger rivers, ultimately either flowing west or east, depending on which side of the Continental Divide they fall.

List of Rivers and Creeks in Colorado

From world class fishing spots to epic whitewater rafting, you’ll be able to enjoy a plethora of activities on Colorado’s rivers and creeks. Probably the most notorious river is its namesake, the Colorado River, which flows southwest through the state all the way past the Grand Canyon.

Animas River, Colorado

Animas River – near Silverton-Durango

Image of the Arikaree River in the great plains

Arikaree River – near Yuma County

The Arkansas River in Colorado during the fall

Arkansas River – near Leadville-Pueblo

Image of the Big Thompson River surrounded by fall folliage

Big Thompson River – near Estes Park-Loveland

Blue River Breckenridge Colorado

Blue River – near Breckenridge-Silverthorne-Kremmling

Boulder Creek early in the morning East Boulder Colorado

Boulder Creek – Rollinsville-Longmont

Cache La Poudre River Eastward Grey Rock Trail

Cache La Poudre River – near Fort Collins-Greeley

Image of the Canadian River in Colorado

Canadian River – near Cowdrey

Image of Cherry Creek flowing through Denver in Colorado

Cherry Creek – near Denver-Franktown

Image of the Cimarron River

Cimarron River – near Cimarron

Summertime at Clear Creek, CO

Clear Creek – near Georgetown-Golden-Denver

Colorado River State Bridge CO

Colorado River – near Kremmling-Glenwood Springs-Grand Junction

Image of the Conejos River in Colorado

Conejos River – near Conejos-Manassa

Image of the Crystal River flowing through mountains in Colorado

Crystal River – near Marble-Carbondale

Image of the Dolores River in Colorado during winter

Dolores River – near Dolores

Image of the Eagle River in Colorado during winter

Eagle River – near Avon-Gypsum

Image of the East River during winter

East River – near Almont

Image of Fountain Creek in Colorado

Fountain Creek – near Manitou Springs-Pueblo

Image of the Fryingpan River in Colorado.

Fryingpan River – near Basalt

Image of Gore Creek at sunset

Gore Creek – near Vail

Image of the Green River near Battleship Butte, Utah

Green River – near Dinosaur

Gunnison River, Colorado

Gunnison River – near Gunnison-Grand Junction

Image of the Illinois River in Colorado

Illinois River – near Rand-Walden

Image of the Kannah Creek in Colorado

Kannah Creek – near Mesa County

Image of the La Plata River at Highway 140 in Colorado

La Plata River – near Durango

Image of the Los Pinos river looking north in Colorado

Los Pinos River – near Bayfield-Ignacio

Image of the Mancos River in Colorado flowing through trees

Mancos River – near Mancos

Image of the Michigan River in Colorado

Michigan River – near Walden-Gould

North Platte River,ย Colorado

North Platte River – near Walden-Cowdrey

Image of the Piedra River in Colorado

Piedra River – near Pagosa Springs

Image of the Purgatoire River flowing through the plains

Purgatoire River – near Trinidad

Image of the Rio Grande River during Autmun

Rio Grande River – near Alamosa

Image of Roaring Fork River in Colorado near Aspen

Roaring Fork River – near Aspen-Glenwood Springs

Middle Saint Vrain Creek Colorado

Saint Vrain Creek – Lyons-Longmont

San Juan River Passing The Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs CO

San Juan River – near Pagosa Springs

San Miguel River coming from Telluride, CO

San Miguel River – near Telluride-Placerville

Sand Creek National Natural Landmark

Sand Creek – Virginia Dale

Image of the Smoky Hill River

Smoky Hill River – near Cheyenne County

Image of the Canadian River in New Mexico with a railroad bridge crossing over

South Canadian River – Las Animas County

South Platte River in Littleton, Colorado

South Platte River – near Hartsel-Deckers-Denver-Greeley

Image of the Taylor River with mountains in the background in Colorado

Taylor River – near Almont

Image of the Uncompaghre River in Colorado

Uncompahgre River – near Ouray-Delta

Image of the White River in Colorado

White River – near Meeker-Rangely

Willow Creek Dam Colorado

Willow Creek – near Granby

Image of the Yampa River flowing through a canyon in Colorado

Yampa River – near Steamboat Springs-Dinosaur

Guide to Rivers and Creeks in Colorado

Colorado River State Bridge CO
Colorado River at State Bridge, CO. Photo: Jeffrey Beall

Colorado’s hundreds of rivers, creeks and streams are fueled from snowmelt high in the Rocky Mountains. They provide life to millions of residents and even more native wildlife, from birds and moose, to plants and insects.

Some rivers are more well known than others and many flow out of state. There are more than a dozen major rivers in Colorado, like the Rio Grande, Arkansas and Colorado rivers.

Here are the ten largest rivers in the state:

  1. Rio Grande River โ€“ 1900 miles
  2. Arkansas River โ€“ 1470 miles
  3. Colorado River โ€“ 1450 miles
  4. Canadian River โ€“ 900 miles
  5. Green River โ€“ 730 miles
  6. North Platte River โ€“ 720 miles
  7. Cimarron River โ€“ 700 miles
  8. Smoky Hill River โ€“ 575 miles
  9. South Platte River โ€“ 440 miles
  10. San Juan River โ€“ 385 miles
San Juan River Passing The Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs CO
San Juan River by The Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs, CO. Photo: Scrubhiker

Most of the big name rivers provide opportunities for whitewater rafting, and nearly all of the waterways offer fishing in some form. Take a look at some of the native fish to Colorado. All fishermen over 16 years old needs a valid Colorado fish license.

Whether it’s simple sightseeing or in-water recreation, Colorado’s rivers and creeks provide a sanctuary for all. Please take care of one of the state’s most precious resources, its water.

Latest in Rivers

Fishing Boat on Lost Lake Slough Crested Butte CO

7 Top Spots to Fish near Crested Butte

Nestled in Gunnison County north of Almont, Crested Butte is bursting with so much scenic beauty…

7 Top Spots to Fish near Crested ButteRead More

Arkansas River Fly Fishing Gold Medal Waters Colorado

Gold Medal Waters in Colorado

Colorado is blessed with a plentiful offering of trout-filled lakes, streams, and rivers. There are countless…

Gold Medal Waters in ColoradoRead More

Shadow Mountain Lake Kayaking Colorado

11 Best Places to Kayak in Colorado

While Colorado is best known for its mountains, there are plenty of beautiful lakes and rivers…

11 Best Places to Kayak in ColoradoRead More

Medano Creek, Colorado

Cool Off at 8 Colorado Swimming Holes

Even though life in the mountains can be frigid much of the year, taking a dip…

Cool Off at 8 Colorado Swimming HolesRead More

Related Activities

Trout Fishing Potato Lake Durango Colorado

Colorado Fishing

Trappers Lake Colorado

Colorado Lakes & Reservoirs

Silver Mountain Colorado

Colorado Mountains

Pike National Forest Pikes Peak Barr Trail

Colorado National Forests

Image of people whitewater rafting in Colorado

Colorado Whitewater Rafting

Primary Sidebar

Join our Colorado travel community

Enter your email below and grab our free locals' guide and monthly what's up designed to help you live your Colorado life and uncover fun things to do. โ€”and never miss out again.

Colorado Activities

  • All Activities
  • All Attractions
  • All Recreation
  • Amusement
  • Archaeological Areas
  • ATV Rentals
  • Biking
  • BLM Land
  • Boating
  • Brewery Tours
  • Camping
  • Casinos
  • Caves
  • Cross Country Skiing
  • Comedy
  • Concerts
  • Distillery Tours
  • Dog Sledding
  • Drive-In Theaters
  • Dude Ranches
  • Escape Rooms
  • Factory Tours
  • Federal Lands
  • Fishing
  • Food & Dining
  • Ghost Towns
  • Go Karts
  • Golfing
  • Gondola Rides & Chair Lifts
  • Hang/Paragliding
  • Hiking
  • Horseback Riding
  • Hot Air Balloons
  • Hot Springs
  • Hunting
  • Ice Climbing
  • Ice Fishing
  • Ice Skating
  • Jeep Rentals
  • Lakes
  • Landmarks
  • Marijuana Tours
  • Mine Tours
  • Miniature Golf
  • Mountains
  • Museums
  • National Conservation Areas
  • National Forests
  • National Grasslands
  • National Historic Sites
  • National Monuments
  • National Parks
  • National Recreation Areas
  • National Recreation Trails
  • National Scenic Trails
  • National Wilderness Areas
  • National Wildlife Refuges
  • Paintball
  • Performing Arts
  • Public Parks
  • Railroads
  • River Tubing, Kayaking & SUP
  • Rivers
  • Rock Climbing
  • Rodeos
  • Scenic Drives
  • Shopping
  • Sightseeing Tours
  • Skiing & Snowboarding
  • Skydiving
  • Sleigh Rides
  • Snow Tubing
  • Snowbiking
  • Snowmobiling
  • Snowshoeing
  • Speedways
  • Sports Teams
  • State Parks
  • State Wildlife Areas
  • Theatre
  • Waterfalls
  • Whitewater Rafting
  • Wildlife
  • Winery Tours
  • Zip Lines

Footer

Get In Touch

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Resources
  • Disclaimer
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter

Disclosure: Uncover Colorado is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Things To Do

  • Travel Blog
  • Colorado Activities
  • Colorado Events
  • Colorado Towns
  • Colorado Hotels
  • Colorado Restaurants
  • Colorado Transportation
  • Made in Colorado

Cheers! Mile High Happy Hour shares showcases Denver neighborhoods' restaurant happy hours.

Winter Activities

  • Federal Lands
  • Ghost Towns
  • Hot Springs
  • Ice Skating
  • Ski Resorts
  • Snow Tubing
  • State Parks
  • Train Rides

Copyright © 2023 ยท Uncover Colorado | Sitemap | Advertise