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 For twelve months a year, Glenwood Springs has TWO rivers with plenty of water for kayaking.
On the Colorado river in Glenwood Canyon, you'll find everything from flat lakes to class V whitewater.For those looking for slow, flat water with breathtaking scenery, put in at Dotsero (I-70 exit 133) - take out at either Bair Ranch (I-70 exit 129) or Hanging Lake (I-70 exit 125) rest areas, depending on how long a trip you wish.
Class V Barrel Springs rapid runs only when the river is above 1,500 c.f.s. (with a touch-tone phone dial (303)-831-7135, when you hear the plastic voice, key in 5*, then 4*: normal flow is 900-1,200 c.f.s.) because it is between where Shoshone Dam diverts water to the Shoshone hydro-power generation plant. The put-in is at the base of the falls 1/5 mile below Shoshone Dam at Hanging Lake (I-70 exit #125). After a mile or so of class III, get ready for some big fun. The take-out for Barrel Springs is also the put-in for the Shoshone section, I-70 exit 123. Shoshone has some of the best wave surfing anywhere and has play spots at virtually ANY level. It is a short run-just over a mile and a half-and is class III when the river is running under 4,000 c.f.s.; class IV when over 4,000 c.f.s.
At Grizzly Creek (I-70 exit 121) the river slows and stays at a class II or low III. You may go as far as you wish on this pretty stretch-5 miles to 2 Rivers Park in Glenwood Springs (watch for FREE hot springs pools at water level on river left a few hundred yards below the downstream end of the railroad tunnel on river left), 5 more miles to South Canyon at I-70 exit 111, to the town of New Castle (I-70 exit 105) 6 miles even farther west from South Canyon. The Roaring Fork river joins the Colorado at (you guessed it) Two Rivers Park in Glenwood Springs. The boat ramp is one quarter mile below the actual confluence on river right. After some serious sections (the higher the flow, generally the more difficult) near Aspen, this river cruises at mostly class II and III from Basalt down to Glenwood. The traditional Glenwood run starts at Black Bridge. From Glenwood, drive south on highway 82 and turn right at mile 5; up the river a short distance you will see the bridge, stay on the east side of the river, and please respect private property when you park.
The whitewater highlight in this stretch is Cemetary, a solid class III; if the water's even a little higher than normal good surfing can be had.
Information provided by Tom Lacy. Tom and his brother Gary paddled the Colorado river from the headwaters at Grand Lake, CO 435 miles to Lake Powell, UT in less than six days during high water in 1996.
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