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   The wonderful Larimer County scenery and the playfulness of the water beats anything. Whitewater rafting and kayaking spots in Colorado are harder than the national norm, so you'd better keep in mind that many of the sections here are not safe for beginners. The Drake to Canyon Mouth stretch of Big Thompson River in Colorado is 7.75 miles long and it is classified as a class III-IV section by American Whitewater. Not too many hotels nearby, you'll have to drive a bit to get to one, but you'd better reserve in advance because these hotels fill up quick.     Some people prefer whitewater rafting and some kayaking, either way this area has a large number of paddling spots. There are campgrounds quite near the river where you can camp. Getting your paddling muscles activated and just hanging out with mother nature will have you coming back for more. On this section you do get some distance, you can easily run it on an afternoon. The beauty of the Front Range is a great plus for this river. The Drake to Canyon Mouth section is one of a few paddling sections in this river system. The starting location is a reasonable drive from Fort Collins-Loveland, if you're not familiar with the area there's a road map further down the page. Briefly about the general area: There is a tremendous hiking trail near Big Thompson River called the Jug Trail, and you might also want to pay a visit to   Grouse Hollow since you're here at Big Thompson River. Big Thompson River is a location that is relatively dry typically; of all the months in a year July is the one with the most rain while December is the month with the least amount of precipitation. Having a tremendous time in the Front Range is simple. On a delightful day at Big Thompson River you can take a hike along the Round Mountain Trail. Throughout the summertime at Big Thompson River temperatures are frequently in the 70's. Throughout the dark hours of summer temperatures sink down into the 40's. The wintertime brings highs down to the 30's, and through the dark hours in the winter at Big Thompson River temperatures fall to the 0's. 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 & 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: Winter Park, Colorado , 45 miles away, 3060 vertical feet SolVista, 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, 2900 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 Ski Cooper, Colorado , 91 miles away, 1200 vertical feet   Hotels Near Big Thompson River: La Quinta Inn & Suites Loveland, Loveland , 9 miles away Bighorn Moutain Lodge, Estes Park , 11 miles away Quality Inn & Suites, Fort Collins , 14 miles away Marriott Fort Collins, 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