Paddling Arizona's Verde River

Lush vegetation along the Perkinsville to TAPCO run

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Paddlers Beware

• The Verde is notorious for strainers, particularly at higher flows, and spring runoff can be cold.
• Low lake levels may preclude a take-out at Horseshoe Dam. If this is the case, you can take-out at Sheep Bridge; however, road conditions are variable. Before planning your trip, it's always a good idea to contact the appropriate local agency.
• From December 1 through June 15 each year, land access to the Falls area is prohibited by federal law because of nesting bald eagles. Paddlers may scout or portage the rapids, but otherwise this area needs to be left to the birds.

Canoe Rentals
Gear can be rented in Camp Verde, Flagstaff, and the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Additional Reading

• Verde River Recreation Guide by Jim Slingluff, Rev. 3rd edition (September 1990), Golden West Publishers.
  
  
• Although hard to come by, A Floater's Guide to the Verde River, by Bob Williams, 1996 is a tremendous mile-by-mile guidebook. (Distributed by Williams' Whims, 2810 Willow Oak Road, Prescott, AZ 86301.)

For More Information
Tonto National Forest, Verde Ranger District
Salt River Project (River Flow Hotline): (602) 236-5929
Stream-Gauging Sites — Real-time data for selected stream-gauging sites in the Verde River Basin, Arizona