Colorado whitewater, Animas River La Plata county, 32nd St. Park to Purple Cliffs section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS III     6.5 miles   The beautiful scenery of Colorado and the water flowing gracefully down Animas River make the trip here worthwhile. The starting location is a short drive from Durango, if you're not familiar with the area there's a road map further down the page. There are nice comfortable hotels here, but you'd better reserve in advance because these hotels fill up quick. Since you're on this site you are probably into whitewater rafting or kayaking, either     way this is an area with plenty of rivers for that. Getting your paddling muscles activated and spending some quality time in nature have people coming from far and near. The 32nd St. Park to Purple Cliffs section of Animas River in Colorado is 6.5 miles long and has been determined by American Whitewater to be a class III section. This stretch is mid length, good for a one day paddling trip. There are so many stretches to paddle in this river system, the 32nd St. Park to Purple Cliffs stretch is just one of many. The campgrounds here at Animas River are pretty good. 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: At Animas River you always meet someone from Durango, and if you like skiing, you're in luck; Hesperus Ski Center is pretty near. A good place to pop by next to Animas River is Horse Gulch, and don't leave Animas River without first going for a hike along the Highline Trail. This is such a fun river. During the summer months at Animas River temperatures are usually in the 80's, and the night is a little colder of course, regularly in the 40's. Highs through the wintertime are typically in the 30's with winter lows in the 0's overnight here at Animas River. Animas River, 32nd St. Park to Purple Cliffs 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: Whitewater Outfitter - Outlaw Rivers & Jeep Tours, La Plata County, 1 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Whitewater Outfitter - 4 Corners Whitewater, La Plata County, 1 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Whitewater Outfitter - Durango Rafting, La Plata County, 1 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Animas River, La Plata County, 2 miles away       Class III - 6.5 miles long (32nd St. Park to Purple Cliffs) Animas River, La Plata County, 2 miles away       Class II-III - 12 miles long (Purple Cliffs to State line) Whitewater Outfitter - Flexible Flyers Rafting, La Plata County, 6 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Animas River, San Juan/ La Plata County, 15 miles away       Class IV-V - 2.6 miles long (Tacoma to Rockwood Rail Yard) Canyon Creek, La Plata County, 16 miles away       Class V+ - 3 miles long (to Animas River) Animas River, San Juan County, 19 miles away       Class I-II - 25 miles long (Cedar Hill to Farmington City Park) Hermosa Creek, La Plata County, 20 miles away       Class IV-V - 24 miles long (Hermosa Park to US 550)   Ski Areas Near Animas River: Hesperus Ski Center, Colorado , 13 miles away, 700 foot drop, 2 lifts, 5 runs Purgatory, Colorado , 20 miles away, 2029 foot drop, 11 lifts, 85 runs Silverton, Colorado , 32 miles away, 3200 foot drop, 1 lifts, 1 runs Kendall Mountain, Colorado , 33 miles away, 400 foot drop, 1 lifts, 3 runs Telluride, Colorado , 36 miles away, 3845 foot drop, 18 lifts, 115 runs Wolf Creek, Colorado , 75 miles away, 1604 foot drop, 7 lifts, 77 runs   Hotels Near Animas River: Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn, Durango , 1 miles away Historic Strater Hotel, Durango , 1 miles away The General Palmer Hotel, Durango , 1 miles away Econo Lodge Inn & Suites, Durango , 1 miles away Comfort Inn & Suites Durango, Durango , 1 miles away   Campgrounds Near Animas River: La Plata County Fairgrounds, Durango, 1 miles away Cotton wood RV Park, Durango, 2 miles away United Campgrounds Of Durango, Durango, 3 miles away   Trails Near Animas River: Highline Trail, La Plata , 15 miles away Goodhope Stock Driveway, La Plata , 16 miles away Highline Loop Trail, Montezuma , 17 miles away   Public Lands Near Animas River: Aztec Ruins National Monument, Aztec - NM , 25 miles away Mesa Verde National Park, Mesa Verde National Park - CO , 38 miles away Navajo State Park, Colorado , 29 miles away Mancos State Park, Colorado , 29 miles away Navajo Lake State Park, New Mexico , 29 miles away   Golf Courses Near Animas River: Hillcrest Golf Club, Durango , 1 miles away Dalton Ranch Golf Club, Durango , 7 miles away Hunter's Run Golf Course, Ignacio , 12 miles away   Lakes Near Animas River Pastorius Reservoir, La Plata , 5 miles away Mormon Reservoir, La Plata , 20 miles away