Colorado River - Pumphouse to State Bridge

About

The Colorado River section from Pumphouse to State Bridge is a roughly 12-mile float corridor in Glenwood Springs, situated at 6,800 feet elevation. The river transitions from narrow canyon narrows with spring-fed flows to wide, turquoise riffles backed by limestone and quartzite walls. This reach is characterized by big-water fishing, featuring rock gardens, sweeping pools, and undercut banks. Wildlife includes gregarious rainbow trout, brown trout, and mountain whitefish. The area is managed by the BLM, with primitive campsites available at the Pumphouse Recreation Site. Access is primarily via float (pontoon boats or rafts), though wade access is limited to rocky side channels near the launch and State Bridge. Parking is available. The fishing season runs from April through October. Early spring flows (500, 1,000 CFS) support caddis and PMD hatches, while summer sees lower flows under 600 CFS. Fall offers stable flows and late-season midge and blue-winged olive hatches.