Ruby Canyon (Lower Colorado)

Beautiful Ruby Canyon of the Lower Colorado River provides flat-water river trips for canoeists, rafters, and kayakers. Grand desert painted walls tower overhead. The 25 mile stretch between Loma Boat Launch, below Grand Junction and the Westwater Ranger Station take-out in Utah is some of the most noteworthy canoeing waters in western Colorado.

The trip provides river access to seven spectacular canyons in the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness Study Area and the river has been recommended to Congress as a National Wild and Scenic River. This area contains the largest concentration of natural sandstone arches in Colorado.

Boaters can either make this a day trip or the first leg of a trip through Utah's famed Westwater Canyon. All but experienced rafters and kayakers are discouraged from passing beyond the Westwater Ranger Station take-out. A permit is required for all boating use downstream from the Westwater Ranger Station.

Access
Put-in at Loma Boat Launch in Colorado and take-out at Westwater Ranger Station in Utah.

Difficulty
Class I.

Average Gradient
5.5 ft./mi.

Trip Length
6 - 8 hours high water, 15 hours low water, upstream winds can sometimes lead to an overnight trip.

Season
Year round.

USGS Maps
Mack, Ruby Canyon, Bitter Creek Well, Westwater 4SE

Other Notes
Upstream winds can add to travel time. Take precautionary gear, especially water, for spending an evening on river. Class I boating except through Black Rocks area which is somewhat turbulent. Must obtain permit from Westwater Station to run Westwater.

BLM Resource Area Office
Grand Junction Resource Area
764 Horizon Dr.
Grand Junction, CO 81506