Colorado whitewater - Animas River, San Juan and Jemez Mountains, San Juan/ La Plata County San Juan/ La Plata county, Silverton to Tacoma section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS IV-V     24.2 miles   The Silverton to Tacoma section of Animas River in San Juan/ La Plata County is 24.2 miles long and is according to American Whitewater a class IV-V section of whitewater. The average Colorado whitewater rafting or kayaking river tends to be harder to run than those in other states, so don't forget that many of the sections here are not safe for beginners. The put-in location is a reasonable drive from Durango, as you can see on the road map further down. No matter if you're whitewater rafting or kayaking in this general area you'll find lots of paddling spots.     You can enjoy this stretch more if you take your time, so go ahead and pack your sleeping bag. The beautiful San Juan and Jemez Mountains scenery is an added bonus. This river system has a few good paddling sections and the Silverton to Tacoma section is one of them. There's camping available near Animas River. Getting some good exercise and just hanging out with mother nature are great attractions for lots of people. Not too many hotels nearby, you'll have to drive a bit to get to one, but do book a room before you come because it is a very popular destination. The nature scenery of San Juan/ La Plata County and the beautiful way the water current moves down the stream attract people from near and far. Briefly about the general area: At Animas River through the summertime highs are in the 70's. Once the sun is down it sinks   down to the 40's. The wintertime brings highs down to the 30's with temperatures at Animas River dipping down into the 0's through winter nights. Animas River is frequently a relatively dehydrated site; August is the wettest month with most rain, and the driest of the months is June. Animas River, Silverton to Tacoma road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked. QUICK STATS AW Class: IV-V Length: 24.2 miles Average Gradient: 80 fpm    Putin Location Coordinates: Latitude: 37.803 Longitude: -107.67259 Takeout Location Coordinates: Latitude: 37.52415 Longitude: -107.78239 Paddler input for Animas River, Colorado: Submit Input: Your Name: Write or Paste Input here: Upload picture:      Input Submission Guidelines Current weather conditions at Animas River, San Juan and Jemez Mountains, Colorado Local climate location: TELLURIDE 17 miles away RAFTING TRIP OUTFITTERS There are no whitewater outfitters currently listed for this river. Purgatory Village Condominium Hotel, Durango 6 miles away This ski-in/ski-out resort features a wide variety of services such as 24 hour front desk, fitness center, wedding services, complimentary Internet access in public areas, restaurants, conference room... Purgatory Lodge by Durango Mountain Resorts, Durango 6 miles away This luxury ski-in/ski-out property is the anchor of the new Purgatory Village, featuring upgraded skier services and a new Purgys Day Lodge. Purgatory Lodge units range in size from 2 bedrooms to 4 b... Cascade Village, Durango 6 miles away Located just 2 miles north of the main entrance of Durango Mountain Resort, Cascade has a large selection of vacation rentals and lodging accommodations from a studio for two to a single family home i...   San Juan and Jemez Mountains Whitewater Complete list of all the whitewater kayaking and rafting spots in the San Juan and Jemez Mountains. San Juan and Jemez Mountains Outdoors Info Complete outdoors info for the San Juan and Jemez Mountains. All Colorado Whitewater Complete list of all the whitewater paddling spots in Colorado. Books about whitewater paddling on Animas River, Colorado List of books from Amazon.com that cover whitewater paddling on Animas River, Colorado. Find a whitewater outfitter in Colorado Whitewater Basics If you're new to whitewater paddling please take a look at this basic whitewater info. Outdoors Recreation Near Durango, Colorado Very comprehensive list of a variety of outdoors recreation in the vicinity of Durango, Colorado, the metro area neareast to Animas River. Find info on campgrounds, hiking trails, ski resorts, lakes, beaches, parks, whitewater and more.       These outdoors activities are available near Animas River.   Whitewater Near Animas River: Lime Creek, -blank- County , 3 miles away, Class V+ - 3 miles long (1st Gorge) Mineral Creek - South, -blank- County , 8 miles away, Class V+ - 0.5 miles long (Above South Mineral Camp Ground) Canyon Creek, La Plata County , 8 miles away, Class V+ - 3 miles long (to Animas River) Animas River, San Juan/ La Plata County , 9 miles away, Class IV-V - 2.6 miles long (Tacoma to Rockwood Rail Yard) Hermosa Creek, La Plata County , 13 miles away, Class IV-V - 24 miles long (Hermosa Park to US 550) Vallecito Creek, La Plata County , 16 miles away, Class V+ - 1 miles long (1 mile above Vallecito Campground) San Miguel River, San Miguel/ Montrose County , 23 miles away, Class III - 7.3 miles long (Silverpick Road to Fall Creek Road) Animas River, La Plata County , 24 miles away, Class III - 6.5 miles long (32nd St. Park to Purple Cliffs)   Ski Areas Near Animas River: Purgatory, Colorado , 6 miles away, 2029 vertical feet Silverton, Colorado , 8 miles away, 1900 vertical feet Kendall Mountain, Colorado , 9 miles away, 400 vertical feet Telluride, Colorado , 17 miles away, 3845 vertical feet Hesperus Ski Center, Colorado , 30 miles away, 700 vertical feet Wolf Creek, Colorado , 65 miles away, 1604 vertical feet Powderhorn, Colorado , 82 miles away, 1650 vertical feet Irwin Lodge, Colorado , 84 miles away, 2100 vertical feet Crested Butte, Colorado , 86 miles away, 2775 vertical feet Sunlight Mountain, Colorado , 99 miles away, 2010 vertical feet   Hotels Near Animas River: Purgatory Village Condominium Hotel, Durango , 6 miles away Purgatory Lodge by Durango Mountain Resorts, Durango , 6 miles away Cascade Village, Durango , 6 miles away Lodge at Tamarron, Durango , 10 miles away The Ice House Lodge, Telluride , 16 miles away   Camp Grounds Near Animas River: Lime Creek Campground, San Juan County, 2 miles away Purgatory Campground, La Plata County, 6 miles away South Mineral Campground, San Juan County, 8 miles away   Trails Near Animas River: Highline Trail, San Juan County , 8 miles away Deer Park Trail, San Juan County , 9 miles away Whitehead Trail, San Juan County , 9 miles away Brooklyn Trail, San Juan County , 11 miles away Circle Trail, Dolores County , 13 miles away   National Parks Near Animas River: Aztec Ruins National Monument, Aztec - NM , 49 miles away Mesa Verde National Park, Mesa Verde National Park - CO , 52 miles away   Lakes Near Animas River