San Francisco River
Greenlee Co. · 40 mi · Class I–II
37CFS/ 9.24 ft
Below Optimal→Stable
Optimal: 100–800 CFS · USGS #09444500
Length
Difficulty
Optimal
Avg Flow
Hist. Median
USGS Gauge
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
The San Francisco River flows through one of the most remote and least-visited canyons in eastern Arizona. Forty miles of gentle desert water through Greenlee County offers solitude, wildlife, and a landscape virtually unchanged from the frontier era. The Clifton reach narrows through a canyon before the river drops into the Gila confluence below.
Trip sections
Upper San Francisco — Class I, mountain valley
Clifton reach — Class I–II, canyon narrows
Lower San Francisco to Gila — Class I, desert corridor
Outfitters
Eastern Arizona Outfitters
San Francisco River guided trips
72-Hour Flow Forecast
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10-Year Flow Patterns
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Data Quality
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.