Fishing, Camping, & Rafting
Fishing is a great pastime and there are many areas around Colorado that are ideal. First off, there are state parks and reservoirs such as Cherry Creek, Pueblo, Jackson, Tarryall, and Chatfield that are large, clean and fun for the entire family. For a more secluded fishing hole, try Eleven Mile Canyon. The portion of the South Platte River that runs through the Canyon is abundant with rainbow trout, brown trout, and breathtaking views. If you enjoy mountain fishing, then you might take pleasure in fishing on the Arkansas River, which starts on Mount Elbert, Colorado’s highest peak, and flows through much of the “Fourteener” ( mountain that tops 14,000 feet) region. It offers some of the best trout fishing in Colorado along with fresh mountain air.
If fishing just isn’t your thing, but you still enjoy the mountain scenery, then you might consider camping. Colorado’s weather is cool, crisp, clean and sunny which makes it perfect for camping. There are also many sites around Colorado, each with their own advantages. If you are looking to camp somewhere close and convenient, there are typically campsites near reservoirs such as Chatfield or Pueblo. Other great campsites include Mesa Verde National Park and Echo Park Campground. Both of these campsites are isolated and unique. For more information on camping in Colorado visit www.campcolorado.com or www. Recreation.gov. Make sure to plan ahead and educate yourself about the area you are visiting before camping. In addition, pack a map, plenty of food, a lighter and other necessities to ensure that your camping trip is safe and worry free.
While you are in the mountains fishing or camping, you also want to consider rafting. The rafting in Colorado is remarkable because all the rainfall and melted snow make for rushing rapids. There are six classes of rafting available in Colorado ranging from easy to deadly. Class I and II are both very safe and can be experienced by all ages. Class three is intermediate and has larger waves and turns. Only somewhat experienced rafters should attempt Class III rapids. Class IV is more advanced and skill and precise steering are required. Class V is considered expert and Class VI is deadly. Only highly experienced rafters should attempt either of those. For lower class rafting, try Ruby Horse Thief on the Colorado River. It is located near Grand Junction on the Colorado Utah border. Durango town on the Animas River is Class II and is slightly faster. Visit durangorivertrippers.com to learn more. If you are looking for more of an adventure try the class III Dumont on Clear Creek, for details call 1-800-353-9901. Finally, if you are an experienced rafter or just plain crazy, try the Class IV on the Arkansas River at Pine Creek or the Class V at Gore Canyon on the Colorado River. Visit www.arkansasrivertours.com and timberlinetours.com for these two challenging escapades.
These activities just scratch the surface of what awaits you in Colorado!