Durango Kayaking

Make A Splash & Kayak The Lower Animas River

KayakingOutdoors#Animas River#kayak#lake nighthorse#Outdoors

Looking to make a splash in Durango? Consider kayaking in Durango, Colorado on your next trip to the San Juan Mountains. The Lower Animas River is a spirited stretch of water essential to the Four Corners Region’s culture and heritage – and kayaking in Durango offers a great adventure for those seeking to paddle, spin and surf their way down these “Gold Medal Waters.”

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Many guides and paddlers say that inflatable kayaks, sometimes called “duckies,” offer the best of both worlds by combining the experience of both a whitewater raft and a kayak. Single and tandem options are available. These crafts are appropriate for beginners and offer a safe ride down the Animas River and her class II and III rapids.

More experienced paddlers seeking a bigger thrill might opt to conquer the Animas in a hard shell whitewater kayak. These crafts aren’t for newbies: Most Durango kayak rental shops require that you prove your kayaking skills before they’ll allow you to book your trip. To rent a whitewater kayak in Durango, you’ll likely be asked to demonstrate that you have the skills necessary to roll your kayak – or to right a capsized kayak without losing control of the boat or your paddles. Rolling a kayak doesn’t require any special strength; just skills and experience.

Many kayakers choose to put in at the 32nd Street put-in on the north side of Durango. From here, folks paddle down about 5 miles, exit the river and take the River Trail to a Trolley Stop back to their cars parked at the put-in site. This trip lets you be back in time for dinner and maxes out with the Class III Smelter Rapids. Other popular places to put-in include parks and river access sites around town:

• 33rd Street (parking here can be limited)
• 29th Street at Memorial Park
• Santa Rita Park (Whitewater Park for skilled paddlers)
• Cundiff Park “4 Corners Take out”
• High Bridge
• Dallabetta Park