The Big Thompson River is about 78 miles long and originates in the Rocky Mountains within the Forest Canyon. Big Thompson, or “The Big T,” as it’s nicknamed, is an easy river to follow as it goes along Highway 34, right beside higher populated areas like Loveland.

The Big Thompson River has its start in the high mountains of Rocky Mountain National Park in Forrest Canyon, flows down through the town of Estes Park where it makes a brief stop at Lake Estes, before continuing its journey though the canyon along Highway 34 to Loveland.

The number one activity on the Big Thompson is fishing, as there are plenty of great spots to cast a line in the headwaters. However, due to its high elevation, it’s good to save the trip to this river for the summer.

Anything downriver from Forest Canyon is excellent for catching rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout. Some of the favored spots to cast a line in “The Big T” include just south of Estes, in Moraine Park as well as the many public access spots along Highway 34.