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 in Larimer County is 11.5 miles long and has been determined by American Whitewater to be a class II-IV+(V+) section. Whitewater rafting and kayaking spots in Colorado tend to be more challenging than the national average, so keep in mind that the rivers in this state are less manageable. The put-in location is a reasonable drive from Fort Collins-Loveland, please print out a copy of the road map further down the page so you won’t get lost. Getting your paddling muscles activated and spending some quality time in nature     are great reasons to come. This section is long enough for an overnight trip if you take your time, so pack your camping stuff. The natural beauty of Colorado and the cool fresh water make the trip here worthwhile. Since you're on this site you are probably into whitewater rafting or kayaking, either way around here you'll find a large number of good rivers. The campgrounds here at Big Thompson River are pretty good. The beauty of the Front Range is a great plus for this river. Not too many hotels nearby, you'll have to drive a bit to get to one, but if you don’t have reservations you might end up sleeping in your car. This river system has a few good paddling sections and the Lake Estes to Drake section is one of them. Briefly about the general area: Be careful coming to the Front Range, you might not ever want to   return back home again. The Round Mountain Trail is a pleasant hiking trail near Big Thompson River. Around Big Thompson River you don’t get a lot of precipitation; most of the rain falls throughout July, and December meanwhile is the driest month. All through the summertime months at Big Thompson River temperatures are mostly in the 70's, and through summer nights temperatures are in the 40's. The winter brings highs down to the 30's while the cold winter nights at Big Thompson River are in the 0's. Near Big Thompson River you locate the Jug Trail which is a wonderful hiking trail, and a delightful site to go to is Bobcat Gulch. 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 at Estes Valley Resorts Estes Parks Premier Hotel and Conference Destination. Elegant, three diamond resort on the shores of Lake Estes - perfect for corporate conferences, group me... 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: Winter Park, Colorado , 42 miles away, 3060 vertical feet SolVista, 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, 2900 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 Ski Cooper, Colorado , 88 miles away, 1200 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 Comfort Inn Estes Park, Estes Park , 12 miles away   Camp Grounds Near Big Thompson River: Seven Pines Campground and Cabin, Drake, 4 miles away Park Place Camping Resort, Estes Park, 9 miles away Carter Valley Campgrounds, Loveland, 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