Colorado whitewater - Dolores River, Dolores / Montezuma County Dolores / Montezuma county, Rico to McPhee Reservoir section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS II-III     39 miles   This stretch of Dolores River in Colorado is 39 miles long and has been rated as a class II-III section by American Whitewater. If you've been whitewater rafting and kayaking outside Colorado you might find the rivers here a bit more challenging, so if you're visiting here do keep in mind that many of the rivers here are not very forgiving. The nature scenery of Dolores / Montezuma County and the water flowing gracefully down Dolores River are in themselves reasons enough to come here to paddle. The campgrounds here at Dolores River are pretty good.     A bit of exercise and spending some quality time in nature are great reasons to come. Dolores River doesn't have a lot of paddling stretches, the Rico to McPhee Reservoir stretch is the only one. Since you're on this site you are probably into whitewater rafting or kayaking, either way this is an area with not too many other rivers for that. Not too many hotels nearby, you'll have to drive a bit to get to one, and if you make reservations in advance you're all set. A stretch of this length does require some preparations, so better bring your camping gear along. Briefly about the general area: If you're here, you might as well have a look at Loading Pen Canyon, and close by you locate the Eagle Peak Trail which is a magnificent hiking trail. It is very dried out here at Dolores River usually; during the month of March   you get the most snow around here, and the driest of the months is June. A trip to Drift Fence Spring will fill your spirit with delightful feelings; there is a great hiking trail nearby called the Lost Canyon Stock Driveway. At Dolores River throughout the summertime highs are in the 70's, and all through the night it cools down to the 30's. Through the winter the highs are generally in the 30's; after the sun is down through the wintertime temperatures at Dolores River dip into the 0's. This river is so perfect. Dolores River, Rico to McPhee Reservoir road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked. QUICK STATS AW Class: II-III Length: 39 miles    Putin Location Coordinates: Latitude: 37.69369 Longitude: -108.03071 Takeout Location Coordinates: Latitude: 37.4706 Longitude: -108.502 Paddler input for Dolores River, Colorado: Submit Input: Your Name: Write or Paste Input here: Upload picture:      Input Submission Guidelines Current weather conditions at Dolores River, Colorado Local climate location: RICO 19 miles away RAFTING TRIP OUTFITTERS There are no whitewater outfitters currently listed for this river. Echo Basin Dude And Guest Ranch, LLC, Mancos 13 miles away Echo Basin Ranch located in the Four Corners area of Southwestern Colorado and is sthe perfect location for your next vacation. We are a non-structured guest ranch where YOU plan for your own individ... Dunton Hot Springs, Dolores 14 miles away This perfectly restored ghost town thrives on contradictions, hand-hewn log cabins exquisitely furnished, a life-worn saloon serving food of startling quality, lung torturing trails followed by pamper... Days Inn Cortez, Cortez 24 miles away The Cortez-Days Inn has much to offer. Shopping is minutes away, or enjoy a round of golf at the beautiful 18-hole course. Nestled in the heart of Mesa Verde Country, the home of the Anasazi Indians...   All Colorado Whitewater Complete list of all the whitewater paddling spots in Colorado. Books about whitewater paddling on Dolores River, Colorado List of books from Amazon.com that cover whitewater paddling on Dolores River, Colorado. Find a whitewater outfitter in Colorado Whitewater Basics If you're new to whitewater paddling please take a look at this basic whitewater info. Outdoors Recreation Near Durango, Colorado Very comprehensive list of a variety of outdoors recreation in the vicinity of Durango, Colorado, the metro area neareast to Dolores River. Find info on campgrounds, hiking trails, ski resorts, lakes, beaches, parks, whitewater and more.       These outdoors activities are available near Dolores River.   Whitewater Near Dolores River: Hermosa Creek, La Plata County , 27 miles away, Class IV-V - 24 miles long (Hermosa Park to US 550) San Miguel River, San Miguel/ Montrose County , 30 miles away, Class III - 7.3 miles long (Silverpick Road to Fall Creek Road)   Ski Areas Near Dolores River: Hesperus Ski Center, Colorado , 21 miles away, 700 vertical feet Purgatory, Colorado , 31 miles away, 2029 vertical feet Telluride, Colorado , 34 miles away, 3845 vertical feet Silverton, Colorado , 43 miles away, 1900 vertical feet Kendall Mountain, Colorado , 44 miles away, 400 vertical feet Powderhorn, Colorado , 82 miles away, 1650 vertical feet   Hotels Near Dolores River: Echo Basin Dude And Guest Ranch, LLC, Mancos , 13 miles away Dunton Hot Springs, Dolores , 14 miles away Days Inn Cortez, Cortez , 24 miles away Holiday Inn Express MESA VERDE-CORTEZ, Cortez , 24 miles away Budget Host Inn Cortez, Cortez , 24 miles away   Camp Grounds Near Dolores River: West Dolores Campground, Dolores County, 4 miles away Mavreeso Campground, Dolores County, 4 miles away Emerson Campground, Dolores County, 5 miles away   Trails Near Dolores River: Lost Canyon Stock Driveway, Montezuma County , 2 miles away Eagle Peak Trail, Dolores County , 4 miles away Morrison Trail, Montezuma County , 4 miles away Stoner Mesa Trail, Dolores County , 6 miles away Spring Creek Trail, Dolores County , 6 miles away   National Parks Near Dolores River: Mesa Verde National Park, Mesa Verde National Park - CO , 19 miles away Yucca House National Monument, Mesa Verde National Park - CO , 19 miles away   Lakes Near Dolores River