Where to Go Blue River – Below Green Mountain Reservoir

Blue River access below Green Mountain Reservoir is very limited because a majority is privately owned. The river is public in the three-mile-long canyon below the dam; however, the access to this canyon can be quite strenuous and if snow-covered can be dangerous. We strongly recommend using rubber-soled wading boots with studs and always fishing with a partner to ensure safety. Please only attempt hiking this stretch if you are in good physical shape. This tailwater can be spectacular; however, low, summer flows (below 100 cfs) can lead to the river being overgrown with moss and almost unfishable. Walk and wade fishing is best with flows between 150 and 300 cfs. Flows over 300 cfs make it very dangerous to wade. When the flows are over 500 cfs, it is possible to float this stretch of river to the confluence of the Colorado River. The float is very technical and combined with long stretches of private water; this section of river should only be tackled by seasoned oarsmen. There is no commercial guiding below Green Mountain Reservoir (wade or float), so only private trips are allowed on this stretch.