Colorado whitewater, Rio Grande Hinsdale county, Rio Grande Reservoir to 12 miles above Creede section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS III-IV     8 miles   The Rio Grande Reservoir to 12 miles above Creede stretch of Rio Grande in Hinsdale County is 8 miles long and it is classified as a class III-IV section by American Whitewater. If you're coming from Durango it's not a long drive at all to the put-in location, as you can see on the road map further down. The average whitewater rafting or kayaking river tends to be a bit harder to master in this state than those in other states, so if you're     visiting here do keep in mind that quite a few of the sections here are not easy. Not too many hotels nearby, you'll have to drive a bit to get to one, and if you make reservations in advance you're all set. For all you camping people there are campgrounds nearby. The beautiful San Juan and Jemez Mountains scenery is an added bonus. This section is long enough to enjoy a good non stop paddle, suitable for an afternoon trip. This is one of a small number of paddling sections in this river system, there are a few others too. The scenic beauty of Colorado and the sparkling of the sunlight on the water are reasons enough to come here and paddle. Since you're   on this site you are probably into whitewater rafting or kayaking, either way in this general area you'll find lots of paddling rivers. Getting your paddling muscles activated and a chance to spend some time outdoors will have you coming back for more. Briefly about the general area: While you're here at Rio Grande you can take a hike along the Fern Creek Stock Driveway; close by you find splendid places like Long Canyon. All the outdoors entertaining things in the San Juan and Jemez Mountains will keep you coming back persistently. If the weather is great here at Rio Grande, you can go for a hike along the Long Ridge Stock Driveway. Rio Grande, Rio Grande Reservoir to 12 miles above Creede 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 Rio Grande.   Whitewater Near Rio Grande: Rio Grande, Hinsdale County, 3 miles away       Class III-IV - 8 miles long (Rio Grande Reservoir to 12 miles above Creede) Lake Fork Gunnison River, Hinsdale/Gunnison County, 18 miles away       Class III - 3.6 miles long (Lake City Town Run) Henson Creek, Hinsdale County, 21 miles away       Class IV-V - 6.7 miles long (Above Nellie Creek to 1/2 mile from Lake City) Piedra River, Hinsdale/ Archuleta County, 24 miles away       Class II-IV - 12 miles long (Upper Piedra Campground to 1st Fork Bridge) Wolf Creek, Mineral County, 27 miles away       Class IV+ - 0.25 miles long (Downstream from Highway 160 Bridge) Rio Grande, Mineral/Rio Grande County, 27 miles away       Class II - 12 miles long (Wagon Wheel Gap to South Fork) Vallecito Creek, La Plata County, 27 miles away       Class V+ - 1 miles long (1 mile above Vallecito Campground) Whitewater Outfitter - AAA Pagosa Outside, Archuleta County, 28 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Whitewater Outfitter - Pagosa Rafting Outfitters, Archuleta County, 28 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Whitewater Outfitter - Canyon REO, Archuleta County, 29 miles away       Whitewater outfitter   Ski Areas Near Rio Grande: Wolf Creek, Colorado , 31 miles away, 1604 foot drop, 7 lifts, 77 runs Kendall Mountain, Colorado , 33 miles away, 400 foot drop, 1 lifts, 3 runs Silverton, Colorado , 33 miles away, 3200 foot drop, 1 lifts, 1 runs Purgatory, Colorado , 44 miles away, 2029 foot drop, 11 lifts, 85 runs Telluride, Colorado , 47 miles away, 3845 foot drop, 18 lifts, 115 runs Irwin Lodge, Colorado , 63 miles away, 2100 foot drop, 3 lifts, 15 runs Crested Butte, Colorado , 65 miles away, 2775 foot drop, 16 lifts, 121 runs Hesperus Ski Center, Colorado , 65 miles away, 700 foot drop, 2 lifts, 5 runs Monarch, Colorado , 72 miles away, 1162 foot drop, 7 lifts, 63 runs Aspen Highlands, Colorado , 81 miles away, 3635 foot drop, 4 lifts, 131 runs   Hotels Near Rio Grande: Surf Chateau, Buena Vista , 18 miles away Alpine Inn Of Pagosa Springs, Pagosa Springs , 28 miles away Econo Lodge Pagosa Springs, Pagosa Springs , 28 miles away Elkwood ManorLuxury Bed Breakfast, Pagosa Springs , 29 miles away Quality Inn Pagosa Springs, Pagosa Springs , 29 miles away   Campgrounds Near Rio Grande: Road Canyon Campground, Hinsdale County, 0 miles away Road Canyon, Lake City, 0 miles away Crooked Creek, Lake City, 3 miles away   Trails Near Rio Grande: Fern Creek Stock Driveway, Hinsdale , 4 miles away Long Ridge Stock Driveway, Mineral , 8 miles away Middle Creek Stock Driveway, Mineral , 12 miles away McKenzie Stock Driveway, Mineral , 14 miles away Cebolla Trail, Hinsdale , 16 miles away   Public Lands Near Rio Grande: Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, Gunnison - CO , 55 miles away Curecanti National Recreation Area, Gunnison - CO , 55 miles away San Juan National Forest, Colorado , 21 miles away   Lakes Near Rio Grande Ruby Lake, Hinsdale , 4 miles away Seepage Lake, Mineral , 10 miles away Williams Creek Reservoir, Hinsdale , 14 miles away