Slate River
Shuttle Service
Vehicle shuttle service for the Lower Slate River
Float to your car. No waiting for a ride!
Slate River – Lower Section
Vehicle Shuttle Instructions
Where to meet: The Float Shack will meet your party at the Slate River put-in (see map below)
We will deliver your gear to the riverside and before you depart, we will follow your driver to the take-out parking. After securing your vehicle, the Float Shack will bring you back to the put-in to join your group.
Dry bags will be provided to keep your keys and phone safe and dry.
Floating to your vehicle allows your group to have towels, drinks, and snacks waiting for you.
After your float trip give your guide a call to pick up all of the rental gear.
To begin: Start at the Lower Slate River put-in located on the east side of Crested Butte. Take Pyrimad Ave. east. Please park along the road and leave the turnabout free of vehicles.
The lower Slate River paddle board float takes your group down river floating through scenic meadows just east of Crested Butte town. There is one lower bridge to be aware and one float through cattle fence.
Your float will eventually meander by Skyland Country Club. Be sure to stay on your paddle board and not trespass on the river banks in Skyland.
The Finish or TAKE OUT is just before the bridge on HWY 135 after floating thru Skyland. There is a nice grassy area on left side with a gravel path heading up to the parking lot. The take out is just after the foot/bike path bridge and before the HWY 135 Bridge. Please Do NOT float under the HWY 135 Bridge. This creates a traffic hazard returning to your vehicle
Other River Shuttle Options
Gunnison RTA provides a free bus shuttle. There is a bus stop located at the Slate River take-out (Brush Creek). Hourly schedule HERE.
Drop your group at the put-in, then drive and park at the take-out. Catch the bus back to the town and meet your group back at the river.
Bike racks are located at the Slate River put-in and take-out.
Upper Slate River – River Shuttle Information
Crested Butte Town Voluntary CLOSURE from Oh be Joyful Campground to Recreation Path Bridge. (March 15th – July 15th) See Slate River Working Group for more details.
During the CLOSURE the Float Shack cannot provide shuttle service to the Upper Slate River Section
Start at the Gunsight Pass Bridge located on Slate River Road. Take 6th St/ Gothic Road north out of Crested Butte. Slate River Road [734] is the first left turn. Follow this past Nicholson Lake for a total of about 2 miles. On the left you will see [739] and a sign for Gunsight Pass Bridge. High clearance vehicles may travel down to the river as there are many car swallowing pot holes on this section of road.
Two take out choices.
The Recreation Path Bridge, east of Teocalli Ave. will be the first take out.
The second option is the HWY 135 Bridge as described above, for a full day of floating fun!
This section is more challenging. There might be a log jam or two to navigate around, as well as a fence to portage (walk around). This section may not be suitable for children to navigate by themselves.