Dolores River - Cortez, CO

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Dolores River


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The remote Dolores River is one of Colorado's best fisheries. It also offers seclusion and exciting rapids for whitewater enthusiasts. Although it has gained a reputation for difficult fish, the experience is well worth it.

The Dolores starts high on Lizard Head Pass and runs to McPhee Reservoir where it becomes a classic tail water fishery. The section above McPhee Reservoir is a typical high alpine freestone stream featuring rainbow trout, two campgrounds and lots of private land and water.

At McPhee Reservoir the river hooks to the northwest. The section below the earthen dam is pristine tail water for 11 miles to Bradford Bridge. This is the stretch most people refer to as the Dolores. Fly fishing the Dolores, especially during low water, can be very technical. Matching the hatch can be key. Fly patterns for tail waters and spring creeks seem to work best.

The Dolores has rainbow, brown, and cutthroat. The best fishing begins after runoff, around the middle of June in most years. The river fishes well with good insect activity into November.

With respect to boating the Dolores provides multi-day trips which take boaters through some of the most remote areas in Colorado. The river offers a unique color combination of Ponderosa pine groves, Douglas fir, oak brush and red sandstone cliffs. Coupled with this scenery is some challenging whitewater, including the well-known Snaggletooth Rapids.

Facilities: There are several campgrounds nearby Dolores River.

Reservations: Reservations are not needed to use Dolores River.

Best Time To Visit: The best fishing at Dolores River begins after runoff, around the middle of June in most years.

Fees: Unknown

Accessibility: This area is not handicap accessible.

Rules: The first six miles of river are closed to auto traffic December 1 to April 1 providing elk a protected winter range. From McPhee Dam downstream to the Bradford Bridge use artificial flies and lures only.

Directions: To get to Dolores River from Cortez: The Dolores starts high on Lizard Head Pass and runs southwest with Highway 145 to the town of Dolores and McPhee Reservoir. At McPhee Reservoir the river hooks to the northwest. This is the famous tail water section of the Dolores. To reach this section of the Dolores, drive north from Cortez on Highway 666. Look for Road CC (or a right turn just past Pleasant View) and follow the signs to the river.

Attractions Near
Dolores River

Burro Bridge Campground
Cabin Canyon Campground
Cayton Campground
Ferris Canyon Campground
Mavreeso Campground
San Juan National Forest
West Dolores Campground

Address

Bureau of Land Management

701 Camino del Rio

Durango, Colorado 81301

Phone
General: (970) 244-3000

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