Colorado
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 | Dolores River Map |
The Dolores River flows for more than 200 miles through southwestern Colorado, starting high in the San Juan Mountains and descending to its confluence with the Colorado River near the Colorado-Utah border. The Dolores flows through five major western life zones, from the alpine life zone at its headwaters to the Upper Sonoran life zone along much of its lower reaches (6400 ft.- 5000 ft. elevation).
Permits
Currently, private permits are not required for boating the Dolores River within Colorado. However, BLM requires all boaters to register at the access points.
All overnight boating parties on the Dolores River are required to use:
- Firepans for all open fires
- Porta-potty for human waste
- Strainer for dishwater
- "Scrim" material is recommended for use as "kitchen" flooring
Group Size Limit
- 25 people from Bedrock to Gateway
Length of Season
In an average snowpack year, the river is floatable from late April to early June. In a very dry year, there may be no boatable flows at all.
Flows
Flows on the Dolores are dependent on snowpack and controlled by the Dolores Water Conservancy District (DWCD) through releases from McPhee Reservoir, 12.5 miles upstream of the Bradfield launch site.
- DWCD Flow Predictions: 970.565.7562 or 970.565.0865
- Bureau of Reclamation Daily Flow Information: 1.800.276.4828
- BLM Dolores River Boating Information: 970.385.1354
- Dolores River Flow Near Bedrock
- Dolores River Flow At Bedrock
Recommended minimum flows:
- 200 cfs....canoes/kayaks/inflatables
- 800 cfs....small rafts to 14 ft.
- 1000 cfs...large rafts to 18 ft.
The Bedrock access is just south and west of the Bedrock Bridge. Facilities include a launch ramp, parking, picnic tables, grills and shelters. There are no toilets or potable water. Camping is allowed but is very primitive. Other river access is possible along the dirt road in Paradox Canyon, several places along the San Miguel River, and Colorado Highway 141.
The Gateway access is upstream from the Colorado Highway 141 bridge near Gateway.
This 44-mile section drops 460 feet with an averatge gradient of 10.5 feet per mile. The five-mile long Paradox Canyon has several class III to IV rapids. Just below this, the Dolores meets the San Miguel River, which often nearly doubles the flow volume. The wider Mesa Canyon below here is paralleled by Colorado Highway 141 and contains rapids no more difficult than class II.
Maps: Paradox and Gateway USGS topographic quads; Nucla and Dleta BLM surface management status maps.
Dolores River Guide: This publication covers 173 miles of the Dolores River from the Bradfield launch site to the river's confluence with the Colorado River in Utah. This 92 page waterproof guide includes detailed topographic maps showing river miles, campsites and launch sites as well as other useful information. It is available in Colorado from the Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores (970-882-4811), the San Juan Mountains Association in Durango (970-247-4874), the USFS Dolores Ranger District in Dolores (970-882-7296) and local retail bookstores, boating shops and several mail-order suppliers.
Commercial Outfitters
Commercial outfitters are required to obtain a Special Use Recreation Permit from the BLM authorizing use of the Dolores River. For a list of authorized outfitters, contact:
Bureau of Land Management
Uncompahgre Field Office
Attn: Carl Bauer
2505 South Townsend
Montrose, Colorado 81401
(970) 240- 5300
For information on boating from Bradfield Bridge to Bedrock contact:
Bureau of Land Management
San Juan Field Office
15 Burnett Court
Durango, CO 81301
970-247-4874
For information on boating from Gateway to Stateline Rapid, contact:
Bureau of Land Management
Grand Junction Field Office
2815 H Road
Grand Junction, CO 81506
970-244-3000
A permit is required for boating in Utah. For information on boating from Stateline Rapid to Dewey Bridge, contact:
Bureau of Land Management
Moab Field Office
82 East Dogwood, Suite M
Moab, Utah 84532
435-259-7012
8am-12pm Mon-Fri
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