Colorado whitewater, Animas River San Juan La Plata county, Silverton to Tacoma section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS IV-V     24.2 miles   The Upper Animas, from Silverton to Tacoma, in the spring is the big and continuous. Worth noting this stretch is solid Class V during run-off and not to be taken lightly Says Dan The scenic beauty of San Juan/ La Plata County and the water flowing gracefully down Animas River will make you feel great. Whitewater rafting and kayaking in Colorado is often more difficult than elsewhere, so better not forget that many of the rivers here     are not very forgiving. This stretch has enough mileage for an overnight trip, so pack your camping stuff. 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. There's camping available near Animas River. This is not the only paddling stretch in this river system, there are others too. Whether you're whitewater rafting or kayaking around here you'll find a large number of good spots. The Silverton to Tacoma stretch of Animas River in San Juan/ La Plata County is 24.2 miles long and is rated by American Whitewater as a class IV-V section. The beautiful San Juan and Jemez   Mountains scenery is an added bonus. The put-in is not too far from Durango, as you can see on the road map further down. A good workout and spending some quality time in nature will make you glad you came. Briefly about the general area: The Highline Trail is a perfect hiking trail near Animas River; the snow is pleasant at Purgatory. You just can't imagine the amount of outdoors entertaining stuff the San Juan and Jemez Mountains has to offer. Here at Animas River there are plenty of people from Silverton; there is a good hiking trail nearby called the Deer Park Trail. Animas River, Silverton to Tacoma 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 Animas River.   Whitewater Near Animas River: Lime Creek, -blank- County, 4 miles away       Class V+ - 3 miles long (1st Gorge) Mineral Creek - South, -blank- County, 8 miles away       Class V+ - 0.5 miles long (Above South Mineral Camp Ground) Canyon Creek, La Plata County, 8 miles away       Class V+ - 3 miles long (to Animas River) Animas River, San Juan/ La Plata County, 9 miles away       Class IV-V - 24.2 miles long (Silverton to Tacoma) Animas River, San Juan/ La Plata County, 9 miles away       Class IV-V - 2.6 miles long (Tacoma to Rockwood Rail Yard) Lime Creek, -blank- County, 9 miles away       Class V+ - -blank- miles long (2nd Gorge) Hermosa Creek, La Plata County, 14 miles away       Class IV-V - 24 miles long (Hermosa Park to US 550) Vallecito Creek, La Plata County, 16 miles away       Class V+ - 1 miles long (1 mile above Vallecito Campground) Whitewater Outfitter - Waterwolf, San Miguel County, 17 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Whitewater Outfitter - Further Adventures, San Miguel County, 17 miles away       Whitewater outfitter   Ski Areas Near Animas River: Purgatory, Colorado , 6 miles away, 2029 foot drop, 11 lifts, 85 runs Silverton, Colorado , 8 miles away, 3200 foot drop, 1 lifts, 1 runs Kendall Mountain, Colorado , 9 miles away, 400 foot drop, 1 lifts, 3 runs Telluride, Colorado , 17 miles away, 3845 foot drop, 18 lifts, 115 runs Hesperus Ski Center, Colorado , 30 miles away, 700 foot drop, 2 lifts, 5 runs Wolf Creek, Colorado , 65 miles away, 1604 foot drop, 7 lifts, 77 runs Powderhorn, Colorado , 82 miles away, 1650 foot drop, 4 lifts, 44 runs Irwin Lodge, Colorado , 84 miles away, 2100 foot drop, 3 lifts, 15 runs Crested Butte, Colorado , 86 miles away, 2775 foot drop, 16 lifts, 121 runs Sunlight Mountain, Colorado , 99 miles away, 2010 foot drop, 4 lifts, 67 runs   Marinas Near Animas River: Vallecito Doc's Marina, Bayfield , 18 miles away   Hotels Near Animas River: Teller House, Silverton , 9 miles away The Ice House Condominiums, Telluride , 16 miles away The Ice House Lodge, Telluride , 16 miles away Camel's Garden, Telluride , 16 miles away New Sheridan Hotel, Telluride , 16 miles away   Campgrounds Near Animas River: Lime Creek Campground, San Juan County, 2 miles away Little Molas Lake, Silverton, 5 miles away Purgatory Campground, La Plata County, 6 miles away   Trails Near Animas River: Highline Trail, San Juan , 8 miles away Deer Park Trail, San Juan , 9 miles away Whitehead Trail, San Juan , 9 miles away Brooklyn Trail, San Juan , 11 miles away Circle Trail, Dolores , 13 miles away   Public Lands Near Animas River: Aztec Ruins National Monument, Aztec - NM , 49 miles away Mesa Verde National Park, Mesa Verde National Park - CO , 52 miles away San Juan National Forest, Colorado , 18 miles away Ridgway State Park, Colorado , 31 miles away Navajo Lake State Park, New Mexico , 40 miles away   Golf Courses Near Animas River: Glacier Club At Tamarron, Durango , 11 miles away Dalton Ranch Golf Club, Durango , 17 miles away Cornerstone Colorado, Telluride , 17 miles away   Lakes Near Animas River Vallecito Lake, San Juan , 13 miles away Cushman Lake, San Miguel , 17 miles away