In the heart of Mesa Verde Country in Southwest Colorado, Dolores is a perfect location for your next vacation.
Dolores
is halfway between Durango and Telluride, only 20 minutes from Mesa
Verde National Park, and we are where the Dolores River forms McPhee
Reservoir, the second largest body of water in Colorado.
With the Dolores River running through town and mountains on both
sides of the valley, Dolores is one of the truly unique vacation
spots in Colorado. We have Old West style chuckwagon suppers, Gold
Medal flyfishing, spectacular scenery on the
San Juan Skyway, casino gaming, boating, waterskiing,
camping, hiking and mile after mile of
the San Juan National
Forest filled with Rocky Mountain elk and mule deer. Visit
our
Area Activities Guide to get a taste
of all the family fun and
adventure Dolores has to offer.
Click
on picture for larger view
(photo courtesy of BLM)
The Historic Dolores River Valley
The
ambitious expedition of Fathers Dominguez and Escalante was
undertaken at the time the colonies were struggling to create a
nation.
The Dominguez-Escalante expedition left from Santa Fe and camped at
Dolores August 13, 1776. Their goal was to explore unknown lands
north and west of Spanish New Mexico, open a route to Spanish
missions in California and convert Indians to Spanish culture and
religion.
Following native guides over Indian Trails, the expedition
proceeded slowly, and as cold weather set in, prospects for reaching
California before winter diminished. Lots were cast and a decision
was reached to return to Santa Fe by a southerly route. The
Franciscans journal and artillery Captain Miera's maps were the
first record of lands and peoples in what was to become southern
Colorado and Utah.
Each year Dolores celebrates its history with
Escalante Days in August. The all-day Festival is filled
with raft races, arts and crafts, a parade, a Mountain Bike Race, and other special
activities.
The San Juan Skyway
The town of Dolores lies on the San Juan Skyway, a state and federally designated scenic highway, so awe-inspiring, it has been called 'America's Most Beautiful Drive'. The 236 mile loop is a perfect one-day drive. The road will take you over and around the spectacular San Juan Mountains and through the historic mining towns of Telluride, Ouray, Silverton and Durango. Ridgway, Mancos and Cortez are also along the way.
and
Visitor Center