California whitewater, Carmel River Monterey county, Los Padres Reservoir to Carmel Valley section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS II-III(IV)     10 miles   The put-in is not too far from Salinas, as you can see on the road map further down. The Los Padres Reservoir to Carmel Valley stretch of Carmel River in Monterey County is 10 miles long and it is classified as a class II-III(IV) section by American Whitewater. If you have the time you can make this a two day trip, so go ahead and pack your camping stuff. The natural beauty of Monterey County and the cool fresh water are in themselves     reasons enough to come here to paddle. If you're a camper you can camp at one of the great campgrounds nearby. A good workout and spending some quality time in nature have people coming from far and near. If you'll be staying in a hotel you're in luck, lodging is available very near the river, but you'd better reserve in advance because these hotels fill up quick. Whether you're whitewater rafting or kayaking around here you won't find a large number of other spots. The Los Padres Reservoir to Carmel Valley stretch is one of a few paddling stretches in this river system. The Santa Lucia Range scenery is wonderful. Whitewater rafting and kayaking in this state   is often more difficult than elsewhere, so don't forget that rivers here are not as easy as elsewhere. Briefly about the general area: Andrew Molera State Park is a delightful place; a tour to Wreck Beach is always a fine idea. There's no way somebody can get bored here in the Santa Lucia Range. Near Carmel River you locate the Rattlesnake Creek Trail which is a fine hiking trail. Places like Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park are great to go to, and there is a great hiking trail nearby called the San Clemente Trail. You'll meet a lot of folks from Carmel Valley here; if you want to hit the beach, Pfeiffer Beach is in the vicinity. Carmel River, Los Padres Reservoir to Carmel Valley 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 Carmel River.   Whitewater Near Carmel River: Carmel River, Monterey County, 3 miles away       Class II-III(IV) - 10 miles long (Los Padres Reservoir to Carmel Valley) Little Sur River, Monterey County, 9 miles away       Class III-IV - 7 miles long (Pico Blanco B South Carolina to Highway 1) Big Sur River, Monterey County, 12 miles away       Class II+ - 4 miles long (Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park to Motels) Arroyo Seco River, Monterey County, 18 miles away       Class IV(V) - 3 miles long (Willowcreek Bridge to Arroyo Seco Picnic Area) Arroyo Seco River, Monterey County, 18 miles away       Class III - 14.5 miles long (Arroyo Seco Picnic Area to Route G16 bridge) San Antonio, Monterey County, 30 miles away       Class II - 10.7 miles long (Above and down to Mission San Antonio de Padua)   Marinas Near Carmel River: Marina Motorsports, Marina , 16 miles away Marina Sanitary Landfill, Marina , 16 miles away Marina Dunes RV Park, Marina , 17 miles away Breakwater Cove Marina, Monterey , 17 miles away Kanassky Marina, Carmel , 17 miles away   Beaches Near Carmel River: Wreck Beach, Monterey , 13 miles away Pfeiffer Beach, Monterey , 14 miles away Del Monte Beach, Monterey , 16 miles away Monastery Beach, Monterey , 17 miles away San Carlos Beach, Monterey , 17 miles away   Hotels Near Carmel River: Bernardus Lodge And Spa, Carmel Valley , 6 miles away Carmel Valley Ranch, Carmel-by-the-Sea , 9 miles away Vision Quest Safari Bed And Br, Salinas , 10 miles away Tally Ho Inn, Carmel-by-the-Sea , 11 miles away Quail Lodge And Golf Club, Carmel-by-the-Sea , 12 miles away   Campgrounds Near Carmel River: Rattlesnake Campground, Monterey County, 3 miles away Pat Springs Trailcamp, Carmel, 5 miles away Big Pines Trailcamp, Carmel, 5 miles away   Trails Near Carmel River: San Clemente Trail, Monterey , 3 miles away,  7 hiking miles, 714 feet elevation difference Rattlesnake Creek Trail, Monterey , 3 miles away,  7 hiking miles, 1350 feet elevation difference Carmel River Trail, Monterey , 4 miles away,  29.4 hiking miles, 3023 feet elevation difference Hennicksons Ridge Trail, Monterey , 5 miles away, 5.9 hiking miles, 2356 feet elevation difference Miller Canyon Trail, Monterey , 8 miles away,  15.6 hiking miles, 2327 feet elevation difference Pine Ridge Trail, Monterey , 9 miles away, 20.1 hiking miles, 4802 feet elevation difference Church Creek Trail, Monterey , 10 miles away,  3.8 hiking miles, 1279 feet elevation difference   Public Lands Near Carmel River: Pinnacles National Monument, Paicines - CA , 47 miles away Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, California , 11 miles away Andrew Molera State Park, California , 12 miles away Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, California , 14 miles away   Golf Courses Near Carmel River: Preserve Golf Club, Carmel , 7 miles away Corral De Tierra Country Club, Salinas , 8 miles away Pasadera Country Club, Monterey , 10 miles away   Lakes Near Carmel River White Rock Lake, Monterey , 5 miles away Carr Lake, Monterey , 15 miles away