Colorado

[RomanLA]

I'm heading out to Colorado for family vacation the first week in June. I want to get in a little boating, but I don't want to leave the wife and kids waiting around for me all day. It's my first time out there, so I'm up for suggestions on a route to take through the state and some roadside stuff to hit along the way. I have a brother in Farmington, so Durango will definitely be part of the trip. Other than that, I don't have any sort of plan. The GoPro Games will be going on in Vail and I wouldn't mind stopping by CKS in Buena Vista though. Anyway, let me know what you think!

[dillydippin]

If you wanna go to cks then you can paddle the arkansas
Mile repeats through pine creek would be easy, and the fam can walk up and down the river right beside you.
Animas in Durango. Also there is a play park less than a mile from cks.

[aburnett04]

I recommend the same area, north of Salida, and running the Arkansas. Check out Dvorak's for an option of the family taking a raft and you in a kayak. I've used them several years. Small outfitter, but good guys.

Have a blast.

[Cotton_Eye_Bo]

Though I've never paddled in CO I have been to that area several times and would love to paddle the Arkansas there. It is beautiful country and looks to be a good paddle. If you go into Salida from Pueblo direction you get to follow the Arkansas for several miles. It is on my bucket list of rivers to float.

[micahg7]

Based on where you are heading it seems that as everyone else has said the arkansas and the animas will probably be your best options. Now it just depends on the level of white-water you want to do. At the CKS in buena vista, if you head just north, you have three great sections, all of which have road access. Pine creek = class 5. Numbers = class 4. And fractions that runs into the town park in BV = class 3.

The animas also has town runs into durango that are class 3.

If your heading out I-70 there are some sections of the colorado and clear creek that have some road-side access.

If you have any questions about the BV area just let me know. I'll be working in the Arkansas valley come June 11.