Colorado River
With headwaters located in Rocky Mountain National Park, the Colorado River is easily accessible from Winter Park. And as the primary river of the Southwest, there are many activities to take part in, from rafting the thrilling whitewater to fishing the Gold Medal waters.
The upper part of the Colorado River contains alternating sections of rapids and calm water, with its main season running May through August. As the snowmelt runs off from the mountains and flows into the canyons, rapids are formed. The rapids in the upper part are Classes I-III, allowing for plenty of thrills, while being calm enough for first timers.
Scenic float trips are also available if you do not care to experience the rapids. Along the way there are natural hot springs, jumping rocks, and breathtaking canyons to be enjoyed. Several outfitters in the Winter Park area can give you an exciting trip down the Colorado for a full or half day, just be advised that there are minimum age requirements depending on the class of rapids you wish to tackle.
If you are interested in fishing the Colorado River, the largest public fishing area is within the boundaries of Rocky Mountain National Park, with several more public areas continuing downstream. By wading or by boat, you can indulge in the great variety of fishing the Colorado River has to offer, and if you want a professional guide to take you to the sweet spots, there are many guiding services to choose from.
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