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Access Site CO

Creede State Wildlife Area

Rio Grande

Source: colorado_parks_and_wildlife Updated 1 year ago

City: Creede, CO
County: Mineral County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 37.81703426, -106.91503391
Air Temp: --
Location
Live Webcam
Live webcam view
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Whitewater Run
II-III Put-in Rio Grande - 03. Creede to Wagon Wheel Gap
View Run
Current Conditions
Whitewater Runs on Rio Grande
23 runs (5 nearby)
Difficulty Classes
I Easy II Novice III Intermediate IV Advanced V Expert/Extreme VI Unrunnable
Position relative to this access site: Put-in at this location This location is on the run Take-out at this location
Downstream from here Upstream from here
These whitewater runs are on the same river but located more than 50 miles from this access site.
Whitewater data from American Whitewater
About This Access Site
The Creede State Wildlife Area provides access to the Rio Grande River near the town of Creede, Colorado. This is a primitive boat ramp and access point located about halfway along the Rio Grande Reservoir. The ramp is concrete and there is a small parking area, as well as a vault toilet on site.

This is a good option for paddlers and small boat users, though it may not be suitable for larger watercraft with long trailers. The Rio Grande in this area is a scenic mountain river, typically offering gentle currents and ample opportunities for exploring and fishing. Nearby, the Wheeler Geologic Area offers stunning views and hiking trails for those looking to extend their outdoor adventure.

Overall, the Creede State Wildlife Area boat ramp provides a basic, no-frills access point to get on the water. It's a good choice for kayakers, canoeists, and owners of smaller motorized boats looking to enjoy the Rio Grande in this beautiful, remote region of Colorado.
Federal Facility Information
Free Access

Wheeler Geologic Area is part of the La Garita Wilderness, within this area you will find many trails, some nearby peaks over 13,000 ft and amazing views. Located near the old mining town of Creede, Wheeler is accessible by a 7 mile hike or a grueling 14 mile four wheel drive road. Your efforts are rewarded by views of a remarkable geologic formation of moderately coarse volcanic tuff eroded into...

Wheeler Geologic Area is part of the La Garita Wilderness, within this area you will find many trails, some nearby peaks over 13,000 ft and amazing views. Located near the old mining town of Creede, Wheeler is accessible by a 7 mile hike or a grueling 14 mile four wheel drive road. Your efforts are rewarded by views of a remarkable geologic formation of moderately coarse volcanic tuff eroded into many different shapes.   Advice is to plan a whole day trip in order to travel into Wheeler, enjoy the formations, and then get back out.  It is not a short, easy trip. ROAD IS EXTREMELY ROUGH WITH DEEP RUTS      HIGH CLEARANCE JEEP OR ATV TRAVEL IS RECOMMENDED.In addition to trail # 790, East Bellows Creek Trail, from Hansons Mill, # 789 Wason- Wheeler Trail from north of Creede there are several trails  that either lead to Wheeler or from Wheeler on into the La Garita Wilderness. Check out the details for the following trails, 871, 912, 784, 783 and 888.There is a lot of information available on the internet, the following are two good sites to visit: www.gorp.com/parks-guide/travel-ta-rio-grande-national-forest-colorado-sidwcmdev_066105.html and www.sangres.com/features/wheelergeologic.htmAt the end of the Wheeler Road #600 there are several dispersed campsites for the public to use.  You are not allowed to camp or have campfires inside the area of the formations. Dispersed camping is allowed at Hansons Mill site located just south of the East Bellows Creek trailhead.

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