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 out of state whitewater rafting and kayaking you might find the rivers here more demanding, so if you're not from around here don't forget that rivers here are not as easy as elsewhere. This stretch of Big Thompson River in Colorado is 7.75 miles long and is a class III-IV section of whitewater according to American Whitewater. You might be into whitewater rafting or kayaking or both, doesn't matter, this area has a large number of paddling rivers. The wonderful Colorado scenery and the water flowing gracefully down Big Thompson River are     in themselves reasons enough to come here to paddle. This is one of a small number of paddling sections in this river system, there are a few others too. And of course, there are campgrounds nearby. You might have to settle for a hotel a bit away from the river if you want to stay the night, but do book a room before you come because it is a very popular destination. The put-in location is a short drive from Fort Collins-Loveland, there's a road map further down the page with more info on that. This section is long enough to enjoy a good non stop paddle, it's perfect for a one day trip. Getting a good workout and a chance to spend some time outdoors are great attractions for lots of people. The beautiful Front Range scenery is an added bonus. Briefly about the general area: If the weather is delightful here at Big Thompson   River, you can go for a hike along the Jug Trail; a great spot is Grouse Hollow. Not much rain falls here at Big Thompson River; July is the wettest month with most rain, and December is when it's the driest. All through the long summer days at Big Thompson River highs are commonly in the 70's, and during the night it cools down to the 40's. Highs all through the winter are frequently in the 30's while Big Thompson River overnight low temperatures through the winter are in the 0's. Yeah, come up here to the Front Range for a great time. While you're here at Big Thompson River you can take a hike along the Round Mountain Trail. 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. 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, ... Marriott Fort Collins, Fort Collins 15 miles away The Fort Collins Marriott has 230 guests rooms and 16,154 sq. ft. of meeting space equipped with high speed internet access and wireless capabilities. Hertz rental car on site and access to Denver Air...   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: Bighorn Moutain Lodge, Estes Park , 11 miles away Quality Inn & Suites, Fort Collins , 14 miles away Marriott Fort Collins, Fort Collins , 15 miles away Quality Inn Loveland, Loveland , 15 miles away Super 8 Motel - Loveland, Loveland , 15 miles away   Camp Grounds Near Big Thompson River: Carter Valley Campgrounds, Loveland, 5 miles away Riverview RV Park and Campground, Loveland, 5 miles away Fireside Camper Park, Loveland, 6 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