Colorado whitewater, Clear Creek Clear Creek county, Lawson to Idaho Springs section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS III-IV     5.5 miles   If you've been out of state whitewater rafting and kayaking you might find the rivers here more demanding, so if you're not from around here don't forget that rivers here are not as easy as elsewhere. The Lawson to Idaho Springs stretch of Clear Creek in Colorado is 5.5 miles long and it is classified as a class III-IV section by American Whitewater. The scenic beauty of Colorado and the water flowing gracefully down Clear Creek have people     coming here. The beautiful Front Range scenery is an added bonus. Great exercise and just hanging out with mother nature will make you glad you came. The put-in location is a reasonable drive from Boulder, there's a road map further down the page with more info on that. Since you're on this site you are probably into whitewater rafting or kayaking, either way around here you'll find a large number of good places. There are plenty of other sections in this river system that can be paddled as well. This section is long enough to enjoy a good non stop paddle, it's perfect for a one day trip. You can pitch a tent or park your RV at a nearby campground. You might   have to settle for a hotel a bit away from the river if you want to stay the night, but if you don’t have reservations you might end up sleeping in your car. Briefly about the general area: Head up to Eldora and strap some skis to your feet. Golden Gate Canyon State Park is a great spot to stretch your legs a bit, and Spring Gulch is also a pleasant site to discover. Coming to this river is always a good idea. Go for a hike on the Chicago Lakes Trail, and lots of people from Idaho Springs come here. Good hiking is available along the James Peak Lake Trail. Summertime highs at Clear Creek commonly tend to be in the 60's, and during the night it cools down to the 30's. Clear Creek, Lawson to Idaho Springs 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 Clear Creek.   Whitewater Near Clear Creek: Whitewater Outfitter - Clear Creek Rafting, Clear Creek County, 1 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Whitewater Outfitter - Mile HI Rafting, Clear Creek County, 1 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Whitewater Outfitter - Arkansas Valley Adventures Idaho Springs Outpost, Clear Creek County, 4 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Clear Creek, Clear Creek County, 4 miles away       Class III-IV - 5.5 miles long (Lawson to Idaho Springs) Clear Creek, Clear Creek County, 10 miles away       Class V+ - 1 miles long (Silverplume to Georgetown) Boulder Creek - South, Boulder County, 10 miles away       Class IV - 6 miles long (Rollinsville to Pinecliffe) Boulder Creek, Boulder County, 12 miles away       Class V - 2.5 miles long (Gun Shy to Jasper Creek) Jasper Creek, Boulder County, 13 miles away       Class V+ - 1 miles long (to Boulder Creek) Whitewater Outfitter - Mad Adventures, Grand County, 14 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Boulder Creek - South, Boulder County, 15 miles away       Class V+ - 2.6 miles long (Pinecliffe to Gross Mountain Reservoir)   Ski Areas Near Clear Creek: Eldora, Colorado , 10 miles away, 1600 foot drop, 12 lifts, 53 runs Winter Park, Colorado , 14 miles away, 3060 foot drop, 26 lifts, 145 runs Arapahoe Basin, Colorado , 21 miles away, 2270 foot drop, 7 lifts, 105 runs Loveland, Colorado , 22 miles away, 2410 foot drop, 10 lifts, 92 runs Keystone, Colorado , 27 miles away, 3128 foot drop, 20 lifts, 135 runs SolVista Basin, Colorado , 27 miles away, 1000 foot drop, 6 lifts, 37 runs Breckenridge, Colorado , 35 miles away, 3398 foot drop, 27 lifts, 146 runs Copper Mountain, Colorado , 41 miles away, 2601 foot drop, 23 lifts, 125 runs Ski Cooper, Colorado , 53 miles away, 1200 foot drop, 5 lifts, 26 runs Vail, Colorado , 55 miles away, 3450 foot drop, 31 lifts, 193 runs   Hotels Near Clear Creek: Miners Pick Bed And Breakfast, Idaho Springs , 5 miles away Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk, Black Hawk , 7 miles away Americas Best Value Inn Georgetown Lodge, Georgetown , 8 miles away Winter Park Mountain Lodge, Winter Park , 14 miles away Zephyr Mountain Lodge, Winter Park , 14 miles away   Campgrounds Near Clear Creek: Shwayder Camp-Temple Emanuel, Idaho Springs, 1 miles away Cottonwood RV Camp, Idaho Springs, 3 miles away Columbine Campground - Arapaho National Forest, Fort Collins, 4 miles away   Trails Near Clear Creek: Chicago Lakes Trail, Clear Creek , 7 miles away James Peak Lake Trail, Gilpin , 8 miles away South Boulder Creek Trail, Gilpin , 9 miles away Guinn Mountain Ski Trail, Boulder , 10 miles away Lost Lake Trail, Boulder , 11 miles away   Public Lands Near Clear Creek: Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park - CO , 33 miles away Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant - CO , 51 miles away Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Colorado , 14 miles away Eldorado State Park, Colorado , 21 miles away Arapaho National Forest, Colorado , 33 miles away   Golf Courses Near Clear Creek: Hiwan Golf Club, Evergreen , 17 miles away Evergreen Golf Course, Evergreen , 18 miles away Eagle Indoor Golf, Bailey , 19 miles away   Lakes Near Clear Creek Idaho Springs Reservoir, Clear Creek , 6 miles away Clear Lake, Clear Creek , 9 miles away Yankee Doodle Lake, Boulder , 11 miles away