Colorado whitewater, Piedra River Hinsdale Archuleta county, Upper Piedra Campground to 1st Fork Bridge section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS II-IV     12 miles   The Upper Piedra Campground to 1st Fork Bridge stretch of Piedra River is 12 miles long and has been rated as a class II-IV section by American Whitewater. The put-in is not too far from Durango, please print out a copy of the road map further down the page so you won’t get lost. When you're paddling down a San Juan and Jemez Mountains river like this one you always get great scenery along the way too. Great exercise and just hanging out     with mother nature will make you glad you came. The nearby hotels are a bit away from the river, but do book a room before you come because it is a very popular destination. The natural beauty of Hinsdale/ Archuleta County and the beautiful way the water current moves down the stream are reasons enough to come here and paddle. This stretch has enough mileage for an overnight trip, so pack your camping stuff. You might be into whitewater rafting or kayaking or both, doesn't matter, this is an area with plenty of spots for that. This river system is full of great paddling stretches, the Upper Piedra Campground to 1st Fork Bridge stretch is just one of them. Whitewater   rafting and kayaking spots in Colorado tend to be more challenging than the national average, so don't forget that many of the rivers here are not very forgiving. There are campgrounds quite near the river where you can camp. Briefly about the general area: Near Piedra River you discover the Middle Mountain Trail which is a magnificent hiking trail; there are plenty of people from Chimney Rock here at Piedra River. Whohoo, so much entertaining stuff in one place! The San Juan and Jemez Mountains rules! It's always good to have a look at Piedra River Hot Springs, and while you're here, you might as well go to First Box Canyon. Piedra River, Upper Piedra Campground to 1st Fork Bridge 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 Piedra River.   Whitewater Near Piedra River: Piedra River, Hinsdale/ Archuleta County, 3 miles away       Class II-IV - 12 miles long (Upper Piedra Campground to 1st Fork Bridge) Piedra River, Hinsdale/ Archuleta County, 3 miles away       Class III-V - 10 miles long (1st Fork Bridge to Lower Piedra Campgound) Piedra River, Archuleta County, 11 miles away       Class II-III - 20 miles long (Lower Piedra Campground to Navajo Reservation) Whitewater Outfitter - AAA Pagosa Outside, Archuleta County, 17 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Whitewater Outfitter - Pagosa Rafting Outfitters, Archuleta County, 18 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Vallecito Creek, La Plata County, 18 miles away       Class V+ - 1 miles long (1 mile above Vallecito Campground) Whitewater Outfitter - Canyon REO, Archuleta County, 22 miles away       Whitewater outfitter San Juan River, Archuleta County, 23 miles away       Class II-III - 13.4 miles long (Pagosa to Trujillo Road) San Juan River, Archuleta County, 23 miles away       Class II-III - 1 miles long (Pagosa Springs Town Run) Rio Grande, Hinsdale County, 25 miles away       Class III-IV - 8 miles long (Rio Grande Reservoir to 12 miles above Creede)   Ski Areas Near Piedra River: Silverton, Colorado , 36 miles away, 3200 foot drop, 1 lifts, 1 runs Kendall Mountain, Colorado , 36 miles away, 400 foot drop, 1 lifts, 3 runs Purgatory, Colorado , 38 miles away, 2029 foot drop, 11 lifts, 85 runs Wolf Creek, Colorado , 38 miles away, 1604 foot drop, 7 lifts, 77 runs Telluride, Colorado , 50 miles away, 3845 foot drop, 18 lifts, 115 runs Hesperus Ski Center, Colorado , 50 miles away, 700 foot drop, 2 lifts, 5 runs Irwin Lodge, Colorado , 90 miles away, 2100 foot drop, 3 lifts, 15 runs Crested Butte, Colorado , 92 miles away, 2775 foot drop, 16 lifts, 121 runs Monarch, Colorado , 96 miles away, 1162 foot drop, 7 lifts, 63 runs   Marinas Near Piedra River: Two Rivers Marina, Arboles , 16 miles away Vallecito Doc's Marina, Bayfield , 17 miles away   Hotels Near Piedra River: Econo Lodge Pagosa Springs, Pagosa Springs , 17 miles away Alpine Inn Of Pagosa Springs, Pagosa Springs , 19 miles away Quality Inn Pagosa Springs, Pagosa Springs , 22 miles away Elkwood ManorLuxury Bed Breakfast, Pagosa Springs , 22 miles away Sky Ute Casino And Resort, Ignacio , 23 miles away   Campgrounds Near Piedra River: Piedra Hunter Campground, Archuleta County, 3 miles away Lower Piedra Campground, Archuleta County, 3 miles away Mesa Spring Hunter Campground, Archuleta County, 4 miles away   Trails Near Piedra River: Devil Mountain Trail, Archuleta , 4 miles away Middle Mountain Trail, Archuleta , 7 miles away Pine-Piedra Stock Driveway, Hinsdale , 8 miles away Piedra Stock Trail, Archuleta , 11 miles away Fourmile Stock Trail, Archuleta , 14 miles away   Public Lands Near Piedra River: Aztec Ruins National Monument, Aztec - NM , 52 miles away Navajo Lake State Park, New Mexico , 20 miles away San Juan National Forest, Colorado , 20 miles away Navajo State Park, Colorado , 35 miles away   Golf Courses Near Piedra River: Pagosa Springs Golf Club, Pagosa Springs , 17 miles away   Lakes Near Piedra River Capote Lake, Archuleta , 7 miles away Williams Creek Reservoir, Hinsdale , 14 miles away