Colorado whitewater, Rio Grande Mineral Rio Grande county, Wagon Wheel Gap to South Fork section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS II     12 miles   The nature scenery of Colorado and the playfulness of the water are in themselves reasons enough to come here to paddle. 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. The starting location is a short drive from Durango, there's a road map further down the page with     more info on that. A bit of exercise and just being out on the river for a while are sure to keep you coming back for more. The Wagon Wheel Gap to South Fork stretch of Rio Grande is 12 miles long and has been determined by American Whitewater to be a class II section. If you have the time you can make this a two day trip, so pack your camp stove. The nearby hotels are a bit away from the river, but if you don’t have reservations you might end up sleeping in your car. The beauty of the San Juan and Jemez Mountains is a great plus for this river. There are some good sections to paddle in this river system, the Wagon Wheel Gap to South Fork section is one of   them. And of course, there are campgrounds nearby. Some people prefer whitewater rafting and some kayaking, either way this is an area with not too many other rivers for that. Briefly about the general area: Rio Grande Palisades is something you shouldn't miss since you're here at Rio Grande, and the Farmers Creek Trail is a wonderful hiking trail nearby. Yeah, come up here to the San Juan and Jemez Mountains for a wonderful time. Here at Rio Grande there are plenty of folks from South Fork, and on a good day you can take a hike along the Lake Fork National Recreation Trail. This river is so good. Rio Grande, Wagon Wheel Gap to South Fork 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, Mineral/Rio Grande County, 6 miles away       Class II - 12 miles long (Wagon Wheel Gap to South Fork) Wolf Creek, Mineral County, 18 miles away       Class IV+ - 0.25 miles long (Downstream from Highway 160 Bridge) San Juan River - East Fork, Archuleta County, 21 miles away       Class III-IV - 4 miles long (East Fork to 160 Bridge) Conejos River, Conejos County, 29 miles away       Class II-IV - 6.4 miles long (Platoro Reservoir to South Fork Conejos)   Ski Areas Near Rio Grande: Wolf Creek, Colorado , 14 miles away, 1604 foot drop, 7 lifts, 77 runs Monarch, Colorado , 51 miles away, 1162 foot drop, 7 lifts, 63 runs Irwin Lodge, Colorado , 64 miles away, 2100 foot drop, 3 lifts, 15 runs Kendall Mountain, Colorado , 65 miles away, 400 foot drop, 1 lifts, 3 runs Silverton, Colorado , 65 miles away, 3200 foot drop, 1 lifts, 1 runs Crested Butte, Colorado , 66 miles away, 2775 foot drop, 16 lifts, 121 runs Purgatory, Colorado , 76 miles away, 2029 foot drop, 11 lifts, 85 runs Telluride, Colorado , 79 miles away, 3845 foot drop, 18 lifts, 115 runs Snowmass, Colorado , 79 miles away, 4406 foot drop, 21 lifts, 84 runs Aspen Mountain, Colorado , 80 miles away, 3267 foot drop, 8 lifts, 76 runs   Hotels Near Rio Grande: Allington Inn And Suites, South Fork , 6 miles away Fireside Inn And Cabins, Pagosa Springs , 31 miles away Elkwood ManorLuxury Bed Breakfast, Pagosa Springs , 32 miles away Quality Inn Pagosa Springs, Pagosa Springs , 32 miles away Alpine Inn Of Pagosa Springs, Pagosa Springs , 34 miles away   Campgrounds Near Rio Grande: Palisade Campground, Mineral County, 3 miles away Hansons Mill, South Fork, 5 miles away Aspen Ridge Cabins and RV Park, South Fork, 6 miles away   Trails Near Rio Grande: Lake Fork National Recreation Trail, Mineral , 9 miles away Farmers Creek Trail, Mineral , 11 miles away Farmers Creek Trail, Mineral , 11 miles away Highline Trail, Mineral , 11 miles away Wolf Creek Stock Driveway, Rio Grande , 14 miles away   Public Lands Near Rio Grande: Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, Gunnison - CO , 41 miles away Curecanti National Recreation Area, Gunnison - CO , 41 miles away   Golf Courses Near Rio Grande: Rio Grande Club, South Fork , 6 miles away   Lakes Near Rio Grande Lost Lake, Rio Grande , 11 miles away