Arizona whitewater, East Verde River Gila county, US Route 87 to Verde River confluence section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS V+     34 miles   Most of the year the section between Payson and where the East Verde meets the Verde does not have enough water to raft. If you were to kayak it, you would be spending most of your time dragging your kayak over the rocks. I would wait till monsoon season to try this section. Otherwise you will be doing a lot of walking. There is an abandoned red Kayak on this stretch that we saw while Hiking this stretch. See if you can find it too. Says     Mark Donat The starting point is not too far from Payson, as you can see on the road map further down. This stretch of East Verde River is 34 miles long and is rated by American Whitewater as a class V+ section. If you've been whitewater rafting and kayaking outside this state you might find the rivers here a bit more challenging, so if you're not from around here don't forget that a large number of rivers in this state are not easy. This is one of a small number of paddling sections in this river system, there are a few others too. The natural beauty of Arizona and the water flowing gracefully down East Verde River beats anything. There aren’t   any hotels right nearby but if you're willing to drive a short distance then no problem but do book a room before you come because it is a very popular destination. No matter if you're whitewater rafting or kayaking in this general area you'll find lots of paddling places. A stretch this long is of course too much for a one day trip, so it looks like you will be camping out. The river winds through the Mogollon Rim Mountains and you get great scenery. A good workout and a chance to spend some time outdoors have a lot of people coming here. There are campgrounds quite near the river where you can camp. East Verde River, US Route 87 to Verde River confluence road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.     Map Detailed Map Stats Stats for this river stretch Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near East Verde River.   Whitewater Near East Verde River: East Verde River, Gila County, 11 miles away       Class V+ - 34 miles long (US Route 87 to Verde River confluence) Verde River, Yavapai County, 13 miles away       Class I-III - 25 miles long (Childs to Horseshoe Reservoir) Tonto Creek, Gila County, 22 miles away       Class IV(V) - 2 miles long (Box) Verde River, Yavapai / Maricopa County, 22 miles away       Class I-II - 19 miles long (Horseshoe Reservoir to Bartlett Reservoir) Verde River, Yavapai County, 23 miles away       Class II-IV - 7 miles long (Beasley Flat to Gap Creek) Wet Beaver Creek, Yavapai County, 26 miles away       Class -blank- - 9 miles long (Beaver Ranger Station to Beaver Creek) Verde River, Maricopa County, 28 miles away       Class I-II - 19 miles long (Bartlett Reservoir to confluence with Salt River) Verde River, Yavapai County, 29 miles away       Class -blank- - 8 miles long (Camp Verde to Beasley Flat) Beaver Creek, Yavapai County, 29 miles away       Class -blank- - 9 miles long (Wet Beaver Creek to Verde River)   Ski Areas Near East Verde River: Arizona Snowbowl, Arizona , 61 miles away, 2300 foot drop, 4 lifts, 32 runs Williams, Arizona , 71 miles away, 600 foot drop, 2 lifts, 7 runs   Hotels Near East Verde River: Knights Inn Payson, Payson , 13 miles away Quality Inn Payson, Payson , 13 miles away Americas Best Value Inn Payson, Payson , 13 miles away Comfort Inn Payson, Payson , 13 miles away Days Inn & Suites Payson, Payson , 13 miles away   Campgrounds Near East Verde River: Sharp Creek/Kachina Trailhead, Pine, 7 miles away Rim Shadows RV Park, Pine, 7 miles away Pine Creek RV Park, Pine, 7 miles away   Trails Near East Verde River: North Peak Trail, Gila , 8 miles away,  8.2 hiking miles, 2380 feet elevation difference Mazatzal Divide, Yavapai , 11 miles away, 26.3 hiking miles, 4287 feet elevation difference Willow Spring Trail, Yavapai , 11 miles away,  34.2 hiking miles, 5105 feet elevation difference Barnhardt Trail, Gila , 12 miles away,  11.6 hiking miles, 2143 feet elevation difference Table Mountain Trail, Yavapai , 13 miles away,  27.2 hiking miles, 3116 feet elevation difference Shake Tree Trail, Gila , 14 miles away,  10.2 hiking miles, 2355 feet elevation difference Towel Creek Trail Sixty Six - Sixty Seven Loop, Yavapai , 14 miles away,  5.8 hiking miles, 2408 feet elevation difference   Public Lands Near East Verde River: Montezuma Castle National Monument, Camp Verde - AZ , 27 miles away Tuzigoot National Monument, Clarkdale - AZ , 27 miles away Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, Arizona , 4 miles away Tonto National Forest, Arizona , 19 miles away Coconino National Forest, Arizona , 23 miles away   Golf Courses Near East Verde River: Payson Golf Course, Payson , 11 miles away Golf Club Chaparral Pines, Payson , 16 miles away Rim Golf Club, Payson , 16 miles away   Lakes Near East Verde River Potato Lake, Coconino , 15 miles away