Colorado whitewater - Arkansas River, Sawatch Range, Lake/ Chaffee County

Lake/ Chaffee county, Leadville to Granite section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.

 

CLASS I-II     18 miles
  The natural beauty of Lake/ Chaffee County and the playfulness of the water beats anything. The Leadville to Granite stretch of Arkansas River is 18 miles long and is according to American Whitewater a class I-II section of whitewater. Whitewater rafting and kayaking in Colorado is often more difficult than elsewhere, so if you're visiting here do keep in mind that a large number of rivers in this state are not easy. You might have to settle for a hotel a bit away from the river if you want to stay the night, and if you make reservations in advance you're
    all set. The campgrounds here at Arkansas River are pretty good. Getting a good workout and just hanging out with mother nature will make you glad you came. The Leadville to Granite section is one of many paddling sections in this river system. When you're paddling down a Sawatch
Range river like this one you always get great scenery along the way too. This stretch is long enough for an overnight trip if you take your time, so pack your camp stove. Since you're on this site you are probably into whitewater rafting or kayaking, either way around here you'll find a large number of good spots.

Briefly about the general area:
At Arkansas River you don’t see much rain; the month with most of the rain is August, and the driest month of the year is October.
At Arkansas River during the warm days of summer highs are in the
 
70's. All through the dark hours of summer temperatures drop down into the 30's. High temperatures through the winter are normally in the 20's, and night lows at Arkansas River during the wintertime mostly fall into the-10's.

Arkansas River, Leadville to Granite road map
Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.

QUICK STATS
AW Class: I-II
Length: 18 miles
  
Putin Location Coordinates:
Latitude: 39.2411
Longitude: -106.2924

Takeout Location Coordinates:
Latitude: 39.0451
Longitude: -106.2643

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Current weather conditions at Arkansas River, Sawatch Range, Colorado
WXPort

Local climate location: SUGARLOAF RESERVOIR 4 miles away


RAFTING TRIP OUTFITTERS

There are no whitewater outfitters currently listed for this river.

Super 8 Motel - Leadville, Leadville
6 miles away
The Pride of Super 8 Motel Leadville welcomes you to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. We are located 24 miles south of I-70, and centrally located to 5 of Colorados top ski resorts. After you have...

Delaware Hotel, Leadville
6 miles away
The Delaware hotels 40 antique and Victirian furnished rooms, in downtown Leadville, feature: high speed internet, private baths, cable TV and breakfast bar. The hotel gift shop features antiques, exp...

Silver King Inn, Leadville
6 miles away
Located on Poplar Street -Highway 24- the main entry to the Historic Town of Leadville. Deluxe Rooms and Suites. Two Story buildings, main building has outdoor hallways and direct entry first floor. A...



OTHER_INFO
  Sawatch Range Whitewater
Complete list of all the whitewater kayaking and rafting spots in the Sawatch Range.

Sawatch Range Outdoors Info
Complete outdoors info for the Sawatch Range.

All Colorado Whitewater
Complete list of all the whitewater paddling spots in Colorado.
Books about whitewater paddling on Arkansas River, Colorado
List of books from Amazon.com that cover whitewater paddling on Arkansas 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 Edwards, Colorado
Very comprehensive list of a variety of outdoors recreation in the vicinity of Edwards, Colorado, the metro area neareast to Arkansas River. Find info on campgrounds, hiking trails, ski resorts, lakes, beaches, parks, whitewater and more.
 

   

OUTDOORS
These outdoors activities are available near Arkansas River.
 Whitewater Near Arkansas River:
Clear Creek, Chaffee County , 11 miles away, Class V - 3.3 miles long (to Arkansas River)
Lake Creek, Lake County , 15 miles away, Class V+ - 9 miles long (Graham Gulch to 1/4 mi east of Monitor Gulch)
Arkansas River, Chaffee County , 17 miles away, Class III - 7 miles long (Railroad Bridge Launch to Buena Vista)
Arkansas River, Chaffee County , 17 miles away, Class IV - 5 miles long (Numbers Launch to Railroad Bridge Launch)
Arkansas River, Chaffee County , 19 miles away, Class IV-V - 6 miles long (Granite to Numbers Launch Site)
Homestake Creek, Eagle County , 21 miles away, Class V - 0.25 miles long (1/4 mile above confluence with Eagle River)
Arkansas River, Chaffe County , 22 miles away, Class III - 6 miles long (East Buena Vista to Fisherman's Bridge)
Eagle River, Eagle County , 23 miles away, Class IV-V(V+) - 4 miles long (Redcliff to Tigiwan Rd)
Cross Creek, Eagle County , 25 miles away, Class V+ - -blank- miles long (Cross Creek)
Tenmile Creek, -blank- County , 25 miles away, Class III-V - 4.2 miles long (Close to Copper Mountain Ski Area to Dillon Reservoir)
 Ski Areas Near Arkansas River:
Ski Cooper, Colorado , 12 miles away, 1200 vertical feet
Copper Mountain, Colorado , 21 miles away, 2601 vertical feet
Breckenridge, Colorado , 24 miles away, 3398 vertical feet
Vail, Colorado , 27 miles away, 3450 vertical feet
Beaver Creek, Colorado , 30 miles away, 4040 vertical feet
Keystone, Colorado , 33 miles away, 2900 vertical feet
Monarch, Colorado , 34 miles away, 1171 vertical feet
Snowmass, Colorado , 35 miles away, 4406 vertical feet
Aspen Mountain, Colorado , 38 miles away, 3267 vertical feet
Arapahoe Basin, Colorado , 39 miles away, 2270 vertical feet
 Hotels Near Arkansas River:
Super 8 Motel - Leadville, Leadville , 6 miles away
Delaware Hotel, Leadville , 6 miles away
Silver King Inn, Leadville , 6 miles away
The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch, Avon , 17 miles away
Best Western Vista Inn, Buena Vista , 19 miles away
 Camp Grounds Near Arkansas River:
Lake View Campground, Lake County, 6 miles away
White Star Campground, Lake County, 7 miles away
Sugar Loafin, Leadville, 7 miles away
 Trails Near Arkansas River:
Main Range Trail, Lake County , 8 miles away
Rich Creek - Buffalo Meadows Trail, Park County , 9 miles away
Pine Creek Trail, Chaffee County , 10 miles away
Mount Elbert Trail, Lake County , 10 miles away
Wapaca Trail, Chaffee County , 11 miles away
 National Parks Near Arkansas River:
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, Gunnison - CO , 44 miles away
Curecanti National Recreation Area, Gunnison - CO , 44 miles away
 Lakes Near Arkansas River

Outdoors related information copyright © Stratus-Pikpuk, Inc. - Detailed hotel information copyright © Interactive Hotel Solutions
Some content, including Reach Name, Class, and Length, comes from American Whitewater