Colorado whitewater, Big Thompson River Larimer county, Drake to Canyon Mouth section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS III-IV     7.75 miles   The beautiful scenery of Larimer County and the water flowing gracefully down Big Thompson River have people coming here. This section of Big Thompson River is 7.75 miles long and is rated by American Whitewater as a class III-IV section. You might be into whitewater rafting or kayaking or both, doesn't matter, in this general area you'll find lots of paddling rivers. Getting a good workout and just being out on the river for a while are     great reasons to come. You might have to settle for a hotel a bit away from the river if you want to stay the night, but do book a room before you come because it is a very popular destination. If you've been whitewater rafting and kayaking outside this state you might find the rivers here a bit more challenging, so if you're not from around here don't forget that many of the rivers here are not very forgiving. You can pitch a tent or park your RV at a nearby campground. The Front Range scenery is wonderful. The put-in is not too far from Fort Collins-Loveland, please print out a copy of the road map further down the page so you won’t get lost. On this section   you do get some distance, good for a one day paddling trip. There are a few other sections in this river system that can be paddled as well. Briefly about the general area: During your spree to Big Thompson River you'll meet some people from Drake for sure. Have a great hiking adventure along the Round Mountain Trail, and Grouse Hollow is around here, and is a good location. The surroundings of this river have so much to offer. Lory State Park is both good and pretty, and it's close to Big Thompson River, and going for a hike along the Jug Trail will let you absorb the natural beauty of this region. Big Thompson River, Drake to Canyon Mouth 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 Big Thompson River.   Whitewater Near Big Thompson River: Big Thompson River, Larimer County, 3 miles away       Class III-IV - 7.75 miles long (Drake to Canyon Mouth) Big Thompson River, Larimer County, 5 miles away       Class II-IV+(V+) - 11.5 miles long (Lake Estes to Drake) Saint Vrain Creek - North, Boulder County, 11 miles away       Class III - 6.5 miles long (CR 80 to Lyons) Saint Vrain Creek - North, Boulder County, 11 miles away       Class IV(V) - 1.8 miles long (Buttonrock Preserve to CR 80) Whitewater Outfitter - A Wanderlust Adventure, Larimer County, 13 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Whitewater Outfitter - Rapid Transit Rafting, Larimer County, 13 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Cache La Poudre River, Larimer County, 14 miles away       Class IV - 2 miles long (Poudre Park Picnic Gound to below Pine View Falls) Cache La Poudre River, Larimer County, 14 miles away       Class III-IV - 2 miles long (below Pineview Falls to Mile Marker 114.7) Cache La Poudre River, Larimer County, 14 miles away       Class II-III - 2.4 miles long (below Filter Plant to Picnic Rock Access) Cache La Poudre River, Larimer County, 15 miles away       Class III - 3 miles long (Mishiwaka Inn to Poudre Park Picnic Ground)   Ski Areas Near Big Thompson River: Eldora, Colorado , 34 miles away, 1600 foot drop, 12 lifts, 53 runs Winter Park, Colorado , 45 miles away, 3060 foot drop, 26 lifts, 145 runs SolVista Basin, Colorado , 48 miles away, 1000 foot drop, 6 lifts, 37 runs Loveland, Colorado , 59 miles away, 2410 foot drop, 10 lifts, 92 runs Arapahoe Basin, Colorado , 59 miles away, 2270 foot drop, 7 lifts, 105 runs Keystone, Colorado , 64 miles away, 3128 foot drop, 20 lifts, 135 runs Breckenridge, Colorado , 74 miles away, 3398 foot drop, 27 lifts, 146 runs Copper Mountain, Colorado , 78 miles away, 2601 foot drop, 23 lifts, 125 runs Snowy Range, Wyoming , 80 miles away, 990 foot drop, 5 lifts, 27 runs Vail, Colorado , 87 miles away, 3450 foot drop, 31 lifts, 193 runs   Marinas Near Big Thompson River: Carter Lake Marina, Loveland , 5 miles away Inlet Bay Marina at Horsetooth, Fort Collins , 9 miles away Boyd Lake Marina, Loveland , 15 miles away Boulder Reservoir Marina, Boulder , 19 miles away   Hotels Near Big Thompson River: La Quinta Inn & Suites Loveland, Loveland , 10 miles away Quality Inn & Suites University, Fort Collins , 14 miles away Candlewood Suites FORT COLLINS, Fort Collins , 14 miles away Fort Collins Marriott, Fort Collins , 15 miles away Hilton Fort Collins, Fort Collins , 15 miles away   Campgrounds Near Big Thompson River: Pinewood Reservoir - Windy Pines, Drake, 3 miles away Pinewood Reservoir - The Launch, Drake, 3 miles away Pinewood Reservoir - Blue Mt, Lyons, 4 miles away   Trails Near Big Thompson River: Round Mountain Trail, Larimer , 2 miles away Jug Trail, Larimer , 4 miles away Crosier Mountain Trail, Larimer , 9 miles away Storm Mountain Trail, Larimer , 9 miles away Sheep Creek Trail, Larimer , 11 miles away   Public Lands Near Big Thompson River: Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park - CO , 17 miles away Lory State Park, Colorado , 10 miles away Boyd Lake State Park, Colorado , 16 miles away Barbour Ponds State Park, Colorado , 24 miles away   Golf Courses Near Big Thompson River: Haystack Mountain Golf Course, Longmont , 9 miles away Cattail Creek Golf Course, Loveland , 11 miles away Olde Course At Loveland, Loveland , 11 miles away   Lakes Near Big Thompson River Lon Hagler Reservoir, Larimer , 9 miles away Dixon Reservoir, Larimer , 11 miles away Watson Lake, Larimer , 13 miles away