Colorado whitewater - Big Thompson River, Front Range, Larimer County Larimer county, Drake to Canyon Mouth section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS III-IV     7.75 miles   If you've been whitewater rafting and kayaking outside Colorado you might find the rivers here a bit more challenging, so you'd better keep in mind that lots of rivers here are not for beginners. The nature scenery of Larimer County and the water flowing gracefully down Big Thompson River beats anything. This stretch of Big Thompson River in Larimer County is 7.75 miles long and is rated by American Whitewater as a class III-IV section. Whitewater paddling here in the Front Range is a great experience. 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 starting point is not too far from Fort Collins-Loveland, if you're not familiar with the area there's a road map further down the page. You can pitch a tent or park your RV at a nearby campground. Getting your paddling muscles activated and spending some quality time in nature are great reasons to come. This river system has a few good paddling stretches and the Drake to Canyon Mouth section is one of them. On this section you do get some distance, good for a one day paddling trip. Since you're on this site you are probably into whitewater rafting or kayaking, either way there are lots of good rivers for that around here. Briefly about the general area: Big Thompson River is commonly a rather dry place; of all the months   in a year July is the one with the most rain, and the driest month of the year is December. Summertime at Big Thompson River comes with high temperatures in the 70's. Through the moonlight hours it's usually in the 40's. For the period of the winter the highs are commonly in the 30's, and during the dark hours in the winter at Big Thompson River temperatures sink to the 0's. Having a wonderful time in the Front Range is trouble-free. The Jug Trail is a tremendous hiking trail close to Big Thompson River. On a brilliant day at Big Thompson River you can take a hike along the Round Mountain Trail; you could always look at Grouse Hollow. Big Thompson River, Drake to Canyon Mouth road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked. QUICK STATS AW Class: III-IV Length: 7.75 miles Average Gradient: 107 fpm    Putin Location Coordinates: Latitude: 40.42805 Longitude: -105.30861 Takeout Location Coordinates: Latitude: 40.42305 Longitude: -105.22584 Paddler input for Big Thompson River, Colorado: Submit Input: Your Name: Write or Paste Input here: Upload picture:      Input Submission Guidelines Current weather conditions at Big Thompson River, Front Range, Colorado Local climate location: RED FEATHER LAKES 4 miles away RAFTING TRIP OUTFITTERS There are no whitewater outfitters currently listed for this river. La Quinta Inn and Suites Loveland, Loveland 9 miles away The La Quinta Inn & Suites Loveland, located 3 miles from historic downtown Loveland, is part of an Events Park with an amphitheatre, the Aspen Leaf Grille (full service restaurant & bar), Fountains o... Bighorn Moutain Lodge, Estes Park 11 miles away Bighorn Mountain Lodge and Event Center is located on the hillside, north of Lake Estes. The facility includes 39 recently updated motel rooms, some with kitchens and 2 bedoom condos, an outdoor hot t... Quality Inn & Suites, Fort Collins 14 miles away 100 percent non-smoking hotel.Near Colorado State University. Close to shopping and restaurants. Whirlpool suites available. Indoor pool and spa. FREE continental breakfast. All rooms have microwave, ...   Front Range Whitewater Complete list of all the whitewater kayaking and rafting spots in the Front Range. Front Range Outdoors Info Complete outdoors info for the Front Range. All Colorado Whitewater Complete list of all the whitewater paddling spots in Colorado. Books about whitewater paddling on Big Thompson River, Colorado List of books from Amazon.com that cover whitewater paddling on Big Thompson 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 Fort Collins-Loveland, Colorado Very comprehensive list of a variety of outdoors recreation in the vicinity of Fort Collins-Loveland, Colorado, the metro area neareast to Big Thompson River. Find info on campgrounds, hiking trails, ski resorts, lakes, beaches, parks, whitewater and more.       These outdoors activities are available near Big Thompson River.   Whitewater Near Big Thompson River: Big Thompson River, Larimer County , 4 miles away, Class II-IV+(V+) - 11.5 miles long (Lake Estes to Drake) Saint Vrain Creek - North, Boulder County , 11 miles away, Class III - 6.5 miles long (CR 80 to Lyons) Saint Vrain Creek - North, Boulder County , 11 miles away, Class IV(V) - 1.8 miles long (Buttonrock Preserve to CR 80) Cache La Poudre River, Larimer County , 14 miles away, Class II-III - 2.4 miles long (below Filter Plant to Picnic Rock Access) Cache La Poudre River, Larimer County , 14 miles away, Class IV - 2 miles long (Poudre Park Picnic Gound to below Pine View Falls) Cache La Poudre River, Larimer County , 14 miles away, Class III-IV - 2 miles long (below Pineview Falls to Mile Marker 114.7) Cache La Poudre River, Larimer County , 14 miles away, Class III - 3 miles long (Mishiwaka Inn to Poudre Park Picnic Ground) Saint Vrain Creek - South, Boulder County , 15 miles away, Class V+ - 5 miles long (Confluence to 1 in 5 Rapid) Saint Vrain Creek - North, Boulder County , 16 miles away, Class V+ - 13 miles long (Peak to Peak Highway to Buttonrock Preserve) Cache La Poudre River, Larimer County , 16 miles away, Class III-IV - 3.3 miles long (Steven's Gulch Access to Mishawaka Inn)   Ski Areas Near Big Thompson River: Eldora, Colorado , 34 miles away, 1600 vertical feet Winter Park, Colorado , 45 miles away, 3060 vertical feet SolVista Basin, Colorado , 48 miles away, 1000 vertical feet Loveland, Colorado , 59 miles away, 2410 vertical feet Arapahoe Basin, Colorado , 59 miles away, 2270 vertical feet Keystone, Colorado , 64 miles away, 3128 vertical feet Breckenridge, Colorado , 74 miles away, 3398 vertical feet Copper Mountain, Colorado , 78 miles away, 2601 vertical feet Snowy Range, Wyoming , 80 miles away, 990 vertical feet Vail, Colorado , 87 miles away, 3450 vertical feet   Hotels Near Big Thompson River: La Quinta Inn and Suites Loveland, Loveland , 9 miles away Bighorn Moutain Lodge, Estes Park , 11 miles away Quality Inn & Suites, Fort Collins , 14 miles away Fort Collins Marriott, Fort Collins , 15 miles away Hilton Fort Collins, Fort Collins , 15 miles away   Camp Grounds Near Big Thompson River: Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch, Loveland, 3 miles away Carter Valley Campgrounds, Loveland, 5 miles away Riverview RV Park and Campground, Loveland, 5 miles away   Trails Near Big Thompson River: Round Mountain Trail, Larimer County , 2 miles away Jug Trail, Larimer County , 4 miles away Crosier Mountain Trail, Larimer County , 9 miles away Storm Mountain Trail, Larimer County , 9 miles away Sheep Creek Trail, Larimer County , 11 miles away   National Parks Near Big Thompson River: Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park - CO , 17 miles away   Lakes Near Big Thompson River