Ames, Iowa Metropolitan Area Local whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information. Ames, Iowa doesn't have that much whitewater nearby but there are some good places a bit away. In the list below you can find a good whitewater stretch to paddle. All the whitewater is pretty far away as you can see so you'd better plan for a long drive. Pick the right stretch from the list below and have a great paddling trip. HIGH QUALITY TOPO MAP, CLICK HERE Important Whitewater Safety Information Whitewater paddling spots near Ames, Iowa: Whitewater 25 to 50 miles from Ames, Iowa Boone River, Iowa, Park and Play, 28 miles away, class I(II), 0.5 miles long. Briggs Woods Spillway - Ditch 166, Iowa, Webster City, 29 miles away, class II-III+, 0.3 miles long. Raccoon River, Iowa, Walnut Woods SP Ledges, 29 miles away, class I-II, 0.1 miles long. Whitewater 50 to 75 miles from Ames, Iowa Des Moines River, Iowa, Breens, 55 miles away, class III, 0.1 miles long. Lizard Creek - SouthBr., Iowa, D22 to mouth, 57 miles away, class I-II, 12 miles long. Raccoon River, Iowa, Henderson Park, 59 miles away, class I-II, 0.01 miles long. Soldiers Creek, Iowa, park to mouth, 53 miles away, class I-II, 1 miles long. Winnebago River, Iowa, East Park to Wren Avenue, 63 miles away, class I-II, 10 miles long. Whitewater 75 to 100 miles from Ames, Iowa Cedar River, Iowa, Cedar Falls, 80 miles away, class II, 0.05 miles long. South Fabius River, Missouri, Hester Wildlife Area to Highway 61, 98 miles away, class I-II(III), 0 miles long. Whitewater 100 to 125 miles from Ames, Iowa Whitewater 125 to 150 miles from Ames, Iowa Cedar River, Iowa, Kepler State Park, 140 miles away, class III, 0.1 miles long. Vermilion River, Minnesota, Falls to Old Mill in Hastings, 142 miles away, class II-III+, 0.5 miles long. Whitewater 150 to 175 miles from Ames, Iowa Apple River, Wisconsin, Somerset, 163 miles away, class I-II, 2 miles long. Whitewater 175 to 200 miles from Ames, Iowa Bear Creek, Illinois, CR900E to Highway 96, 180 miles away, class I-II, 4.5 miles long. Cedar Creek, Illinois, Parker Heights Entrance at 5th St to Bob Bangart Park, 182 miles away, class II-IV, 1 miles long. Fall Creek, Illinois, End of Gorge Trail to Parking Lot, 194 miles away, class I-IV, 2 miles long. Kansas River, Kansas, Playspot Below I-435 Bridge, 181 miles away, class II, 0.1 miles long. Kettle River, Minnesota, below Big Eddy to St. Croix River, 194 miles away, class I-II, 5 miles long. Mississippi River, Minnesota, Sauk Rapids, 179 miles away, class II(III), 0.1 miles long. Sauk River, Minnesota, Highway of Park to Mississippi River, 179 miles away, class I-II, 4.1 miles long. Snake River, Minnesota, Silver Star Road to Township Road, 198 miles away, class I-III, 4 miles long. Snake River, Minnesota, Township Road to Mora, 191 miles away, class I-II, 28 miles long. Snake River, Minnesota, Cross Lake to confluence with St. Croix River., 190 miles away, class I-II, 12 miles long. Blue River, Missouri, Blue Ridge Road to Red Bridge Road, 181 miles away, class I(II), 3 miles long. Hinkson Creek, Missouri, Hinkson Creek Road to Reactor Field, 184 miles away, class I-II, 10.75 miles long. North River, Missouri, Mo. County Road 530 to Highway 61 bridge, 178 miles away, class I(II), 17 miles long. Apple River, Wisconsin, Little Falls, 176 miles away, class II, 4 miles long. Chippewa River, Wisconsin, Downtown EauClaire, 196 miles away, class II, 0.5 miles long. Red Cedar River, Wisconsin, Menomonie to Irvington, 178 miles away, class I-II, 3.9 miles long. St. Croix River, Wisconsin, Nelson's Landing to Snake River Confluence, 194 miles away, class I-II, 8 miles long. St. Croix River, Wisconsin, Taylors Falls, 176 miles away, class II-III, 0.2 miles long. * Distances listed are direct linear distances from the center of the metro area to the middle of the river section listed, actual driving distance is longer. Other Outdoors Recreation Nearby: Ski Resorts near Ames, Iowa: Ski Areas 0 to 50 miles from Ames, Iowa Seven Oaks, Iowa, 25 miles, vertical drop 275 feet Ski Areas 50 to 100 miles from Ames, Iowa Ski Areas 100 to 150 miles from Ames, Iowa Afton Alps, Minnesota, 142 miles, vertical drop 350 feet Welch Village, Minnesota, 142 miles, vertical drop 350 feet Buck Hill, Minnesota, 135 miles, vertical drop 309 feet Hyland Ski, Minnesota, 139 miles, vertical drop 175 feet Mount Kato, Minnesota, 112 miles, vertical drop 240 feet Ski Areas 150 to 200 miles from Ames, Iowa Sundown Mountain, Michigan, 194 miles, vertical drop 475 feet Trollhaugen, Wisconsin, 175 miles, vertical drop 260 feet Mount La Crosse, Wisconsin, 183 miles, vertical drop 516 feet Wild Mountain, Minnesota, 176 miles, vertical drop 300 feet Powder Ridge, Minnesota, 172 miles, vertical drop 290 feet Ski Snowstar, Illinois, 196 miles, vertical drop 262 feet * Distances listed are direct linear distances from the center of the metro area to the ski areas listed, actual driving distance is longer. National Parks near Ames, Iowa: National Parks 100 to 200 miles from Ames, Iowa Effigy Mounds National Monument, 175 miles Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, 170 miles Mississippi National River & Recreation Area, 148 miles Saint Croix National Scenic River, 177 miles National Parks 200 to 300 miles from Ames, Iowa Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, 294 miles George Washington Carver National Monument, 291 miles Homestead National Monument of America, 240 miles Ice Age National Scenic Trail, 287 miles Missouri National River & Recreation Area, 271 miles North Country National Scenic Trail, 287 miles Pipestone National Monument, 217 miles Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, 286 miles * Distances listed are direct linear distances from the center of the metro area to the parks listed, actual driving distance is longer. Important Outdoors Safety Information       Go to Iowa Rivers