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Colorado whitewater, Arkansas River
Lake Chaffee
county,
Leadville to Granite section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.
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CLASS I-II 18 miles
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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 | |
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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.
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Arkansas River, Leadville to Granite road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.
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Map
 Detailed Map
Stats
 Stats for this river stretch
Weather
 Local weather forecast
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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) |
Lake Creek, Lake County, 18 miles away Class V+ - 9 miles long (Graham Gulch to 1/4 mi east of Monitor Gulch) |
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) |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| Lakes Near Arkansas River
Twin Lakes, Chaffee
, 4 miles away |
Buffehr Lake, Summit
, 14 miles away |
Tenmile Tailings Pond, Summit
, 16 miles away |
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