Colorado whitewater, Elk River Routt county, 2 mi above Mad Creek to Mad Creek section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS I-II     2 miles   This stretch of Elk River in Routt County is 2 miles long and is according to American Whitewater a class I-II section of whitewater. The put-in location is a short drive from Edwards, please print out a copy of the road map further down the page so you won’t get lost. The beautiful scenery of Colorado and the beautiful way the water current moves down the stream beats anything. There are campgrounds quite near the river where you can camp.     There are some good hotels near the river, but do book a room before you come because it is a very popular destination. No matter if you're whitewater rafting or kayaking in this general area you'll find lots of paddling spots. This is one of a small number of paddling sections in this river system, there are a few others too. The beautiful Park Range scenery is an added bonus. A good workout and spending some quality time in nature have people coming from far and near. 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 rivers here are   less forgiving. This stretch is short so better bring some good walking shoes. Briefly about the general area: Everybody close by loves skiing at Howelsen Hill, and Elk River is not far at all from Steamboat Springs. There's no way somebody can get bored here in the Park Range. Don't leave Elk River without first going for a hike along the Red Dirt Trail. A visit to Pearl Lake State Park when you're here at Elk River is a pleasant idea, and wonderful hiking is available along the Big Creek Bridge Trail. A trip to Elk River wouldn’t be complete without a journey to close by Routt National Forest. Elk River, 2 mi above Mad Creek to Mad Creek 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 Elk River.   Whitewater Near Elk River: Elk River, Routt County, 1 miles away       Class I-II - 2 miles long (2 mi above Mad Creek to Mad Creek) Whitewater Outfitter - Steamboat Rafting, Routt County, 6 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Whitewater Outfitter - Blue Sky West, Routt County, 6 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Yampa River, Routt/Moffat County, 6 miles away       Class III - 1 miles long (Yampa river park to 12th street) Elk River, Routt County, 13 miles away       Class III - 8 miles long (Box Canyon Campground to Glen Eden Bridge) Whitewater Outfitter - Colorado River Guides, Routt County, 22 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Encampment River, Carbon County, 23 miles away       Class II-V - 15 miles long (State Line to Encampment)   Ski Areas Near Elk River: Howelsen Hill, Colorado , 6 miles away, 440 foot drop, 3 lifts, 15 runs Steamboat, Colorado , 9 miles away, 3668 foot drop, 20 lifts, 143 runs Beaver Creek, Colorado , 57 miles away, 3340 foot drop, 25 lifts, 149 runs Vail, Colorado , 61 miles away, 3450 foot drop, 31 lifts, 193 runs Snowy Range, Wyoming , 63 miles away, 990 foot drop, 5 lifts, 27 runs Sunlight Mountain, Colorado , 69 miles away, 2010 foot drop, 4 lifts, 67 runs Buttermilk, Colorado , 72 miles away, 2030 foot drop, 7 lifts, 41 runs Aspen Mountain, Colorado , 73 miles away, 3267 foot drop, 8 lifts, 76 runs Aspen Highlands, Colorado , 73 miles away, 3635 foot drop, 4 lifts, 131 runs SolVista Basin, Colorado , 74 miles away, 1000 foot drop, 6 lifts, 37 runs   Marinas Near Elk River: Steamboat Lake Marina, Clark , 14 miles away Stagecoach Marina, Oak Creek , 16 miles away   Hotels Near Elk River: Chalet Val DIsere, Steamboat Springs , 6 miles away Rabbit Ears Motel, Steamboat Springs , 7 miles away Hampton Inn - Suites Steamboat Springs CO, Steamboat Springs , 7 miles away Legacy Vacation Club Steamboat Springs Hilltop, Steamboat Springs , 7 miles away Legacy Vacation Club Steamboat Springs Suites, Steamboat Springs , 8 miles away   Campgrounds Near Elk River: Steamboat Springs KOA Steamboat Springs Koa, Steamboat Springs, 4 miles away Dry Lake Campground, Routt County, 8 miles away Coulton Creek Campground, Routt County, 10 miles away   Trails Near Elk River: Red Dirt Trail, Routt , 3 miles away Big Creek Bridge Trail, Routt , 4 miles away Elk Park Trail, Routt , 5 miles away Swamp Park Trail, Routt , 7 miles away Roaring Fork Trail, Routt , 7 miles away   Public Lands Near Elk River: Routt National Forest, Colorado , 11 miles away Pearl Lake State Park, Colorado , 11 miles away Steamboat Lake State Park, Colorado , 13 miles away   Golf Courses Near Elk River: Steamboat Golf Club, Steamboat Springs , 5 miles away Rollingstone Ranch Golf Club, Steamboat Springs , 8 miles away Haymaker Golf Course, Steamboat Springs , 10 miles away   Lakes Near Elk River McCargar Reservoir, Routt , 18 miles away