Take I-15 to the Spanish Fork exit and HWY 6, where the road takes you to the canyon and follows the river. Put in by taking a dirt road on the right just before the road climbs toward Thistle Dam, a huge mudslide that blocked the river in 1982-1983 and flooded the town of Thistle. Take a few minutes to pass the dirt road and view the historical plaque at the apex of the hill. Rating is Class I and II, average drop is 35ft. mile, and flow is 300+ CFS. Boaters can run almost any part of the 12 mile run, and low water access is better 2 miles below the Thistle at Diamond Fork. The best section is from here to Pole Canyon, with the bridge the only public take-out point. If water is running high, the section below Pole Canyon gets narrower and steeper for a fun ride. Scout the diversion dams, and take out at either the Little Acorn Restaurant or Spanish Oaks Golf Course.
