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Ruby Horsethief Overnight Float Guide - Colorado
- Feb 22
- 6 min read
Updated: May 19
What This Is & Why It Matters
The choice to invest in a Kokopelli XPD pack raft was largely due to my husky’s need for something larger than a SUP if I wanted to take him on the river, but not so much that I needed thousands of dollars of investment. So, with my new packraft in tow, I now needed a beautiful overnight trip to pair it with - enter Ruby Horsethief Canyon. One of the more sought-after classic floats in Colorado. Anyone can do it, and it has little to no issue.
If you’re looking for a scenic, beginner-friendly overnight river trip in Colorado, this is one of the classics. For anyone getting into packrafting, the Ruby Horsethief section of the Colorado River is one of the most approachable overnight trips to start with. The mileage is manageable, the scenery is incredible, and the logistics are fairly straightforward compared to many western river trips. That combination is why Ruby Horsethief packrafting has become a go-to first overnight float for people learning the sport.
Ruby Horsethief Float: Fruita to Westwater (25 Miles)
This section of the Colorado River is usually done as an overnight trip due to the amount of mileage you cover. However, people do it in one day and opt not to stay overnight.
Start Point: Fruita State Park
Campsite: Mee 4 (Mee Corner)
End Point: Westwater, Utah
Total Mileage: 25 miles
This stretch is super easily accessible off of I-70 just outside of Fruita. There is a Walmart located in Grand Junction for any extra needed supplies. Grand Junction is a large city with plenty of options for last minute gear, which mattered more than I realized.
Day 1: Put-In & Mee Corner Camp
I made the mistake of thinking I was going to just put-in without actually scoping out the put-in first. I headed down with my Subaru Outback to be greeted by a Ranger who made sure I had a permit. I was worried that I didn’t have the printed copy but my digital copy was just fine.
It was the fire pan and leakproof poop-container I didn’t have. My newbie butt didn’t know you needed a fire pan or poop-container. I had plastic container in my car I was happy to put my wag bags in but, a fire pan was something I’d have to go back to Grand Junction to obtain as well as an extra paddle from the recreation section of Walmart.
After heading back to the takeout I was ready to get on the river. My husky sat in the front of the boat while I paddled behind. He hated the uneven floor and tried desperately to jump out of the boat every time we got close enough to shore.
After navigating the first 13 miles with no huge trouble, we arrived at the last-minute cancellation campsite I scored - Mee 4. There are 4 campsites total on Mee Corner (Mee 1, 2, 3 & 4). This is a very picturesque corner with towering canyon walls and the train coming through throughout the night. If you do 2 nights there, you can do a day-hike into Mee Canyon from your site.
Day 2: Black Rocks & The Westwater Takeout
Today’s main concern was the Black Rocks section. After reading the reports online, I was admittedly very nervous about what was to come. Maybe it was the CFS, but once I got there I realized that other than some swirling around, nothing came of it. I let the swirls take me and didn’t fight them and came out fine.
The rest of the 13-mile stretch was frequent map checking for the Westwater takeout, as if you miss the takeout the following is Class 5+ rapids that we were not equipped for. I learned that had I gotten out earlier the wind at the end would’ve been much more manageable, but the paddling was hard at the end.
After getting to takeout I had my next mission: find a ride back to the put-in to grab my Outback.
To do this, I left my husky in the shade under a tree and was off with some strangers who already organized their personal shuttle back to the put-in. This method always proves to work for me honestly. The drive was about 45 minutes there, and then 45 minutes back. When I got back my husky was fast asleep under a tree, showing just how tired he really became. We stopped in the Fruita BLM for some free camping on the way out and then the following morning headed off.
What Surprised Me
Ruby Horsethief River Flow and Difficulty
When I did my trip, being a beginner I admittedly didn't know much about what the flow meant realtive to the difficulty of the trip. I was new. I'll admit it. So, looking back it's quite interesting that I had no issues and found this trip to be rather easy considering the CFS was somewhere I'd say between 11,000 and 11,300 CFS. I estimate this based on this report I found by the USDA on June 1st, 2025 (2 weeks after my trip in Mid-May) stating the CFS has reached 11,300 CFS and it was peak spring runoff. This mixed with the warnings on the streamflow data section of Recreation.Gov show that canoeists should be weary over 10,000 CFS and this is more family friendly around 5,000 CFS. Like I said, my husky and I had no issue doing it at 11,000 CFS for the first overnight packraft trip ever and by ourselves.
Permitting
All year, overnight trips need permits. These permits are free November through April (Reservation.gov still charges you the reservation fee, but there is no permit fee). The best way to score a permit is either stake out the permitting website 60 days before the day you want to go and click as fast as possible at 12am like you’re buying Eras Tour Tickets, or look for a last minute cancellation which is how I scored mine.
Who It’s For / Not For
Anyone looking for a scenic, beginner-friendly overnight river trip in Colorado. Anyone can do it, and it has little to no issue.
What Worked / What I’d Change
I had no clue you needed a fire pan, extra paddle, or water-tight poop container so that was new information and I was fortunate that there was a Walmart nearby. I wouldn’t take my husky again after he proved he hated it.
Final Thought
This was a random last minute solo overnight packrafting trip that was actually really daunting after what I read online. The wildlife is to die for, and I even saw a bald eagle. Ruby Horsethief is scenic, accessible, and absolutely worth doing and checking off your list.
Gear I Used
FAQ: Ruby Horsethief Packrafting
Do you need a permit to packraft Ruby Horsethief?
Yes. Overnight trips through Ruby Horsethief Canyon require a permit year-round. Permits are free from November through April, although Recreation.gov still charges the reservation fee.
How long does it take to float Ruby Horsethief?
Most people complete the 25-mile stretch between Fruita and Westwater in one or two nights. Strong paddlers sometimes do it in a single day, but overnight trips are more common.
Is Ruby Horsethief good for beginner packrafters?
Yes. Ruby Horsethief is widely considered one of the most beginner-friendly overnight river trips in Colorado. The water is generally mellow, although higher flows during spring runoff can increase the difficulty.
What happens if you miss the Westwater takeout?
If you miss the Westwater takeout, the river quickly enters Westwater Canyon, which contains Class IV–V whitewater. Missing the takeout can put paddlers into rapids they are not prepared for.
Can you bring a dog packrafting on Ruby Horsethief?
It’s possible, but it depends on the dog. My husky tolerated the trip but clearly didn’t enjoy the unstable floor of the packraft and tried to jump out near shore multiple times.
Where do people shuttle for Ruby Horsethief?
Many groups run a personal shuttle between the Fruita put-in and the Westwater takeout. Others arrange rides with other river groups at the takeout or use commercial shuttle services in the Grand Junction area.
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