Colorado whitewater - Big Thompson River, Front Range, Larimer County Larimer county, Lake Estes to Drake section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS II-IV+(V+)     11.5 miles   This stretch of Big Thompson River is 11.5 miles long and has been rated as a class II-IV+(V+) section by American Whitewater. If you're coming from Fort Collins-Loveland it's not a long drive at all to the starting location, as you can see on the road map further down. The nearby hotels are a bit away from the river, but do book a room before you come because it is a very popular destination. If you have the time you can make this a two day trip, so go ahead and pack your camp stove. Whitewater rafting and kayaking spots in this state tend to be more challenging     than the national average, so better not forget that rivers here are less forgiving. There's camping available near Big Thompson River. When you're paddling down a Front Range river like this one you always get great scenery along the way too. Some people prefer whitewater rafting and some kayaking, either way this is an area with plenty of places for that. A good workout and just being out on the river for a while will make you glad you came. There are some good stretches to paddle in this river system, the Lake Estes to Drake stretch is one of them. The wonderful Colorado scenery and the cool fresh water will make you feel great. Briefly about the general area: It is very dried up here at Big Thompson River usually; the month of July is the wettest with most of the rain while December is the month with the least amount   of precipitation. But wait, there's more entertaining stuff to do in the Front Range. Going for a hike on the Jug Trail is always a splendid adventure. Near Big Thompson River you find the Round Mountain Trail which is a magnificent hiking trail; a glorious location nearby is Bobcat Gulch. Throughout the summer months at Big Thompson River highs are usually in the 70's while overnight lows are frequently in the 40's. The winter comes with highs in the 30's, and nighttime lows through the winter for Big Thompson River tend to be in the 0's. Big Thompson River, Lake Estes to Drake road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked. QUICK STATS AW Class: II-IV+(V+) Length: 11.5 miles Average Gradient: 102 fpm    Putin Location Coordinates: Latitude: 40.42619 Longitude: -105.34385 Takeout Location Coordinates: Latitude: 40.42637 Longitude: -105.3054 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 2 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... Lake Shore Lodge, Estes Park 12 miles away Lake Shore Lodge Estes Park s Premier Hotel and Conference Destination. Elegant, three diamond resort on the shores of Lake Estes - perfect for corporate conferences - group meetings - family reunio... Lake Estes Inn and Suites, Estes Park 12 miles away Lake Estes Inn and Suites at Estes Valley Resorts- comfortable, spacious, economical, ground level lodging. Perfect for family reunions, weekend getaways and extended stays and vacations for families ...   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 III-IV - 7.75 miles long (Drake to Canyon Mouth) Saint Vrain Creek - North, Boulder County , 10 miles away, Class IV(V) - 1.8 miles long (Buttonrock Preserve to CR 80) 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 , 13 miles away, Class V+ - 13 miles long (Peak to Peak Highway to Buttonrock Preserve) 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 , 14 miles away, Class V+ - 5 miles long (Confluence to 1 in 5 Rapid) 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-IV - 3.3 miles long (Steven's Gulch Access to Mishawaka Inn) Cache La Poudre River, Larimer County , 15 miles away, Class II-III - 2.4 miles long (below Filter Plant to Picnic Rock Access)   Ski Areas Near Big Thompson River: Eldora, Colorado , 31 miles away, 1600 vertical feet Winter Park, Colorado , 42 miles away, 3060 vertical feet SolVista Basin, Colorado , 44 miles away, 1000 vertical feet Loveland, Colorado , 56 miles away, 2410 vertical feet Arapahoe Basin, Colorado , 56 miles away, 2270 vertical feet Keystone, Colorado , 61 miles away, 3128 vertical feet Breckenridge, Colorado , 71 miles away, 3398 vertical feet Copper Mountain, Colorado , 75 miles away, 2601 vertical feet Snowy Range, Wyoming , 77 miles away, 990 vertical feet Vail, Colorado , 83 miles away, 3450 vertical feet   Hotels Near Big Thompson River: Bighorn Moutain Lodge, Estes Park , 11 miles away Lake Shore Lodge, Estes Park , 12 miles away Lake Estes Inn and Suites, Estes Park , 12 miles away Rodeway Inn Estes Park, Estes Park , 12 miles away Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Estes Park, Estes Park , 12 miles away   Camp Grounds Near Big Thompson River: Seven Pines Campground and Cabin, Drake, 4 miles away Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch, Loveland, 7 miles away Park Place Camping Resort, Estes Park, 9 miles away   Trails Near Big Thompson River: Round Mountain Trail, Larimer County , 2 miles away Jug Trail, Larimer County , 3 miles away Crosier Mountain Trail, Larimer County , 5 miles away Storm Mountain Trail, Larimer County , 6 miles away Sheep Creek Trail, Larimer County , 8 miles away   National Parks Near Big Thompson River: Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park - CO , 13 miles away   Lakes Near Big Thompson River