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

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Current weather conditions at Big Thompson River, Front Range, Colorado
WXPort

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 ...



OTHER_INFO
  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.
 

   

OUTDOORS
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

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