One-way Distance: 0.2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 6639 - 6647 feet
Cellphone: 0-2 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead: Pa-Co-Chu-Puk
Fee: $7/vehicle
Attractions: Fly fishing, paved path
The River Walk trail is located in the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk area of Ridgway State Park about 7 miles north of the town of Ridgway, Colorado. The first half of the trail is a paved path and provides wheelchair accessibility to the Uncompahgre River as it flows from Ridgway Reservoir. Is isn't uncommon for fishermen to land trout from these waters that measure 20 inches and above. The area is designated as 'catch and release' and fishing is restricted to flies and artificial lures only. All fish caught from the river must be returned to the water immediately.
The trail begins near the picnic and fisherman day use parking area right before the walking bridge that crosses the river.
Fishing is permitted anywhere along the river or if you brought your hip waders then right out in it. Be aware that the water is flowing very fast and can change without notice if the release from the dam is increased.
There are two paved pullouts that allow wheelchairs to get close enough to the water to take part in the fishing.
Just beyond the second paved pullout the trail turns to packed dirt and becomes more primitive.
The River Walk trail ends at the Group Picnic Area. Fishermen that want to go further upstream can continue to work their way along the river using an even more primitive trail.
The Colorado Division of Wildlife has stocked brood fish in the river to increase the number of steam bred fish. Some as long as 36 inches have been caught. Most of the fish are rainbow trout but there are also some brown trout.
