Colorado whitewater, Arkansas River Lake Chaffee county, Leadville to Granite section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS I-II     18 miles   This section of Arkansas River in Lake/ Chaffee County is 18 miles long and has been rated as a class I-II section by American Whitewater. The sections for whitewater rafting and kayaking here in Colorado are often more challenging than in other states, so if you're visiting here do keep in mind that many runs in this state are not easy. The natural beauty of Lake/ Chaffee County and the beautiful way the water current moves down the stream      attract people from near and far. There are plenty of other sections in this river system that can be paddled as well. No matter if you're whitewater rafting or kayaking around here you'll find a large number of good rivers. There are campgrounds quite near the river where you can camp. The Sawatch Range scenery is wonderful. If you're coming from Edwards it's not a long drive at all to the starting location, please print out a copy of the road map further down the page so you won’t get lost. If you have the time you can make this a two day trip, so pack your camp stove. Great exercise and a chance to spend some time outdoors will make you glad you came. There   aren’t any hotels right nearby but if you're willing to drive a short distance then no problem but you'd better reserve in advance because these hotels fill up quick. Briefly about the general area: There are plenty of people from Leadville here at Arkansas River, and hiking is a popular thing to do around Arkansas River; Main Range Trail is a great local trail. But wait, there's more fun stuff to do in the Sawatch Range. Ski Cooper is a nice local ski area; the Rich Creek - Buffalo Meadows Trail offers hiking at its best. This river is so wonderful. At Arkansas River you don’t see much rainfall. Arkansas River, Leadville to Granite 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 Arkansas River.   Whitewater Near Arkansas River: Arkansas River, Lake/ Chaffee County, 5 miles away       Class I-II - 18 miles long (Leadville to Granite) Arkansas River, Chaffee County, 8 miles away       Class IV-V - 6 miles long (Granite to Numbers Launch Site) Clear Creek, Chaffee County, 14 miles away       Class V - 3.3 miles long (to Arkansas River) Arkansas River, Chaffee County, 14 miles away       Class III - 7 miles long (Railroad Bridge Launch to Buena Vista) Whitewater Outfitter - Nova Guides, Eagle County, 17 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Lake Creek, Lake County, 18 miles away       Class V+ - 9 miles long (Graham Gulch to 1/4 mi east of Monitor Gulch) Whitewater Outfitter - Wilderness Aware Rafting, Chaffee County, 18 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Whitewater Outfitter - Buffalo Joe's Whitewater, Chaffee County, 19 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Arkansas River, Chaffe County, 19 miles away       Class III - 6 miles long (East Buena Vista to Fisherman's Bridge) Eagle River, Eagle County, 21 miles away       Class IV-V(V+) - 4 miles long (Redcliff to Tigiwan Rd)   Ski Areas Near Arkansas River: Ski Cooper, Colorado , 12 miles away, 1200 foot drop, 5 lifts, 26 runs Copper Mountain, Colorado , 21 miles away, 2601 foot drop, 23 lifts, 125 runs Breckenridge, Colorado , 24 miles away, 3398 foot drop, 27 lifts, 146 runs Vail, Colorado , 27 miles away, 3450 foot drop, 31 lifts, 193 runs Beaver Creek, Colorado , 30 miles away, 3340 foot drop, 25 lifts, 149 runs Keystone, Colorado , 33 miles away, 3128 foot drop, 20 lifts, 135 runs Monarch, Colorado , 34 miles away, 1162 foot drop, 7 lifts, 63 runs Snowmass, Colorado , 35 miles away, 4406 foot drop, 21 lifts, 84 runs Aspen Mountain, Colorado , 38 miles away, 3267 foot drop, 8 lifts, 76 runs Arapahoe Basin, Colorado , 39 miles away, 2270 foot drop, 7 lifts, 105 runs   Hotels Near Arkansas River: Rodeway Inn Leadville, Leadville , 6 miles away Delaware Hotel, Leadville , 6 miles away Lodge Tower Resort, Vail , 13 miles away Best Western Vista Inn, Buena Vista , 19 miles away Super 8 Buena Vista, Buena Vista , 19 miles away   Campgrounds Near Arkansas River: Dexter Point, Granite, 4 miles away Leadville Rv Corral, Leadville, 6 miles away Lake View Campground, Lake County, 6 miles away   Trails Near Arkansas River: Main Range Trail, Lake , 8 miles away Rich Creek - Buffalo Meadows Trail, Park , 9 miles away Pine Creek Trail, Chaffee , 10 miles away Mount Elbert Trail, Lake , 10 miles away Wapaca Trail, Chaffee , 11 miles away   Public Lands Near Arkansas River: Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, Gunnison - CO , 44 miles away Curecanti National Recreation Area, Gunnison - CO , 44 miles away San Isabel National Forest, Colorado , 26 miles away White River National Forest, Colorado , 27 miles away Sylvan State Park, Colorado , 36 miles away   Golf Courses Near Arkansas River: MT Massive Golf Course, Leadville , 8 miles away Collegiate Peaks Golf Course, Buena Vista , 19 miles away   Lakes Near Arkansas River Twin Lakes, Chaffee , 4 miles away Buffehr Lake, Summit , 14 miles away Tenmile Tailings Pond, Summit , 16 miles away