202 East Vine Drive, Fort Collins, CO
Located just north of Old Town, Fort Collins, kayakers, tubers and kids of all ages can enjoy the Poudre River and all it has to offer. The Poudre River Whitewater Park brings the river back to a more natural state, helps to connect the river to downtown, provides safe access to the river, and improves the river floodplain.
Please remember to always Play It Safe on the Poudre! For safety tips, river maps, river flows and more (in Spanish and English), please click here. Always wear a life vest if you are planning to go in the river – it can save your life!
In 1986 the City of Fort Collins filed for an in-channel water right on the Poudre River as an attempt to counter others from diverting too much water before it reached the City. After negotiations with the state of Colorado, Fort Collins was able to install a ‘boat chute’ on top of the Coy Ditch Diversion structure just east of College Avenue, thereby ‘diverting’ the water for recreational purposes. Later court rulings and state legislation affirmed the creation of recreational water rights, effectively making the former diversion structure and current Fort Collins whitewater park the basis for a new beneficial use under western water law.
The Poudre River Whitewater Park is an important point on the Heritage Trail where water in industry, agriculture and recreation converge. Look for the Heritage Trail iconography on the interpretive signs within the park.
Click here to learn about the history of the Coy Ditch as it relates to water for agriculture. Click here for more information about water for industry with the Fort Collins Power Plant. Or, click here to understand the former Coy Diversion structure’s impact on water in recreation.
Tourism Information
Open to the public, year-round, from 5am-11pm
Visitors have access to two boating features for kayakers and tubers, a pedestrian bridge crossing the Poudre River, a south bank terrace with seating overlooking the river, and a play area for kids. A portion of the riverbank offers full access to people with disabilities.
Beyond the river, the park offers places to sit and walk, off-street parking and access to the Poudre Trail from the south bank terrace.
Please remember to always Play It Safe on the Poudre! For safety tips, river maps, river flows and more (in Spanish and English), please click here.
Accessibility
Visitors Welcome; ADA accessible
Wayside Sign
The Coy Diversion sign overlooks the headgate structure on the north side of the bridge. The Heritage Trail gateway feature can be seen on the south side of the bridge.
Directions
Parking for the Whitewater Park is located on Vine Drive just east of College Ave.
