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Dolores, Colorado: Where Fun and Adventure Collide – The Ultimate Guide to the Best Things to Do and Places to Visit!

The Canyons of the Ancients National Monument out there holds over 6,000 of the whole of the ancient sites. McPhee Reservoir runs over 50 whole miles of the shoreline right around the whole edge of it. Boggy Draw Trail System out there carries over 30 whole miles of the trail as well. Dolores itself sits right at 6,946 feet above the sea level. Slow down.

Dolores, Colorado sits 20 minutes from Mesa Verde National Park and it does not ask much of you. Ancient ruins at one end, mountains at the other, and every age is covered in between.

The small-town shape of Dolores is the point of it. Main Street takes a slow walk past local shops and restaurants and nothing hurries you along. There is still plenty here: food worth sitting down for, local brews, and long views out to the mountains. The history is here too, in the ancient ruins and the cultural heritage of the area.

Key Takeaways

• Dolores, Colorado offers a variety of activities for visitors of all ages, from exploring ancient ruins to outdoor adventures in the mountains.
• The town’s small-town charm is a big draw, with local shops, restaurants, and stunning mountain views.
• History buffs will love exploring the area’s ancient ruins and learning about the rich cultural heritage of the region.

The Charm of Dolores, Colorado

Dolores, Colorado sits in the heart of Montezuma County. You may not have heard of it. That is part of what makes it work.

Start with the scenery. The San Juan Mountains stand off in the distance and the Dolores River runs through town. It is the kind of place where you sit down and stop doing anything. A bald eagle goes over often enough to be worth looking up for.

Dolores is not only the scenery. The locals here are among the friendliest you will meet. They will take you in and make you comfortable. A home-cooked meal is a real possibility and you should say yes to it.

Then the activities. There is a version of a day here for everybody. For history, the Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center & Museum or the Anasazi Heritage Center. For the outdoors, rafting, kayaking or fishing on the Dolores River. For doing nothing much, a walk through town past the local shops and restaurants.

The festivals are the other half of it. Dolores runs a good party. The Escalante Days Festival through to the Dolores River Festival, there is usually something on. The annual bull riding competition is there if you want it.

Dolores, Colorado is a small town with a lot in it. It is where you slow down, take a breath and remember what the simple end of a day feels like. Come and see whether it works on you.

Feasting in Dolores

Dolores is not only an outdoor town. It eats well too. Burgers or Mexican, the food here holds up. These are the places to eat in Dolores.

The Depot

The Depot is where to go for something quick. The restaurant sits in a historic train depot and runs breakfast, lunch and dinner across the range. The menu covers burgers and sandwiches through to salads and soups. The homemade pies are what people come back for.

Dolores River Brewery

The Dolores River Brewery is the one for beer people. The craft selection is strong and the food menu keeps up with it. Take the battered fish or the BBQ pulled pork sandwich. Ask the server if you cannot decide.

Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant

For Mexican, head to Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant. This family-owned room has been cooking Mexican dishes for over 30 years. Take the enchiladas or the carne asada, with a margarita alongside.

The Ponderosa

The Ponderosa is the room for a quiet dinner or an occasion. It runs fine dining in a cozy space. The menu holds filet mignon and lobster tail. Leave room, because the chocolate lava cake earns it.

Dolores Food Market

On a budget, or stocking up before you head out, take the Dolores Food Market. The sandwiches and salads and snacks are good. Take some local Colorado beer with them.

Whatever you feel like, Dolores has a version of it. Sit down and eat properly while you are working through the town.

Brews and Views

You cannot be in Dolores without a cold beer and a view. There are plenty of ways to arrange both.

Dolores River Brewery is the most popular brewery around here. The local favorite pours a lot of beers, the signature ESB, or Extra Special Bitter, among them. The Jalapeño Cream Ale is the one with the kick in it. The outdoor patio puts the mountain views in front of you while you drink.

To see more of the Denver beer scene, take a brewery tour. The Brews & Views tour runs through some of Denver’s strongest breweries and gives you the scenery alongside. Great Divide, Epic and Ratio Beerworks are on it, with the Rocky Mountains out the window.

However you take the beer and the view, drink responsibly and take the rest of what Dolores has in slowly.

History Unearthed

If you like unearthing artifacts and understanding ancestral Puebloan culture, Dolores, Colorado is where to go.

Start at the Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center & Museum. There are over 6,000 documented archaeological sites here. Kivas and cliff dwellings among them. The ancestral Puebloan people left a great deal behind in this ground.

For something closer to the ruins, go to the Lowry Pueblo. The site is well preserved and interpretive markers guide you through it. The ancestral Puebloan masonry is intricate. The water management systems were sophisticated.

The history goes further than that. The Rio Grande Southern Railroad Museum is the one for train people. It covers the history of the railroad and what it did to the development of the area. A restored steam locomotive is among the artifacts there.

Ancestral Puebloan culture or the history of the railroad, Dolores has ground for both. Go and turn some of it over.

Riding Through Time

For an unusual way to see Dolores, get on a horse. Several horseback riding tours run in the area, out through the landscapes and the history of the region.

The San Juan Skyway is the popular route, a scenic byway winding through the San Juan Mountains with the peaks and valleys around it. You pass historic mining towns and what is left of the mining boom of the late 1800s.

For a slower ride, take the Galloping Goose. This vintage railcar once carried passengers and mail along the narrow-gauge rails of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad. It is now one of the better ways to see Dolores and the country around it.

For something harder, the Ride of the Ancients is the tour. This annual gravel grinder runs through some of the most rugged and remote terrain in the region. Ancient ruins, rock formations and long views come with the effort.

Whichever tour you take, you come off it having seen the history and the country of Dolores, Colorado properly. Take the hat and the boots and go.

Outdoor Adventures Galore

Dolores, Colorado is set up for anybody who wants to be outside. Hiking, biking, mountain biking, kayaking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting or cross-country skiing, it is all here.

For hiking, the trails in the San Juan National Forest are the ones. With over 2.8 million acres of wilderness there is always another trail. For something hard, hike up the Lizard Head Peak. It is not gentle and the views at the top settle the argument.

For two wheels, Dolores runs plenty of biking and mountain biking. The Boggy Draw Trail System is the favorite among locals and visitors both, with over 30 miles of trail on it. The Phil’s World Trail System is the harder one, known for difficult terrain and long views.

For water, the Dolores River is the place. Kayaking and rafting down it stay with you. The rapids run from Class II to Class IV, so there is a stretch at your level. If you are not ready for whitewater, float it slowly instead and take the scenery and the wildlife.

For the traditional version, horseback riding works. Several stables in the area run guided trail rides. You get the wilderness from the saddle and see things you would walk past.

And for snow, cross-country skiing is the one to do in Dolores. The Boggy Draw Trail System turns over in the colder months. With over 20 miles of groomed trails there is enough of it to fill a day.

Whatever the outdoor preference, Dolores has ground for it. Pack the bags and the gear and go.

Water Wonders

Dolores, Colorado holds some remarkable water. Serious fisherman or somebody just cooling off, there is water here for it.

Start with the McPhee Reservoir. It takes a day of fishing or boating or lying on the beach. With over 50 miles of shoreline there is a spot that suits you. The Kokanee salmon turn up if you are patient.

For something harder, the Dolores River is the place. Take a whitewater rafting trip and work the rapids. Or float it slowly, which is the better way to spend a hot summer day.

Then the fishing. The Dolores River holds brown and rainbow trout among others. Take the gear down to the river and give it the day.

Whatever you want from the water, Dolores, Colorado has it. Take the swimsuit and the rod and go.

Mesa Verde National Park is a whole 20 minutes down the road from the town out there. The Dolores River runs right through the middle of the whole of Dolores itself out there. Purgatory Resort has 1,605 acres of the skiable terrain and a whole 105 trails. Nothing here is in any hurry.

Snowy Escapades

For winter, Dolores is covered. Seasoned or out on snow for the first time, this Colorado town has plenty of it.

Skiing and Snowboarding

For skiing or snowboarding, take the slopes at the nearby Purgatory Resort. With 1,605 acres of skiable terrain and 105 trails there is a run at your level. The terrain park runs jumps and rails and the rest for anybody who wants them.

Snowshoeing

For the quieter snow, strap on snowshoes and work the country around Dolores. The Boggy Draw Trail System is where to start, with 30 miles of trail winding through the San Juan National Forest. Elk and deer turn up, and the occasional lynx.

Ice Fishing

For a cold challenge, try ice fishing on McPhee Reservoir. Bundle up, drill the hole, drop the line and wait. Rainbow trout, kokanee salmon and smallmouth bass all come up through it.

Fat Biking

For an unusual winter day, rent a fat bike and take the snowy trails around Dolores. The extra-wide tires handle snow and ice, which makes the ride both fun and hard work. The McPhee Overlook Trail is the one to test yourself on, with the mountains out to the side.

Whichever snowy option you take, dress warmly, stay safe and enjoy it.

Exploring the Depths of History

You are in Dolores, Colorado, looking for something to do. Dolores holds the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. There are over 6,000 ancient Native American sites in it. That is 6,000 of them. A lifetime would not cover them all. Here are a few to start with.

First stop: the Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum. The exhibits cover the history and culture of the ancient peoples who lived here. You see artifacts and learn about their daily lives. The engineering was considerable. They built entire cities into the sides of cliffs.

Next, go out to the Canyons of the Ancients themselves. This is where the sites are. Cliff dwellings, pit houses, kivas and more. Some of them are over 1,000 years old. There were no smartphones, no internet and no Netflix. There was the family and the desert.

Lowry Pueblo is among the most impressive sites in the Canyons of the Ancients. It is well preserved and carries plenty of interpretive markers. You see the remains of a large pueblo, with kivas and a great kiva. There is also a tower that was likely used for astronomical observations. People were studying the stars here over a thousand years ago.

That is the short introduction to the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. Take the time it deserves.

Camping Under the Stars

You cannot be in Dolores without getting outside properly. Camping under the stars is how you take Colorado in. There are camping options in and around Dolores, rustic through to comfortable.

For the classic version, take Dolores River Campground. This tree-filled campground sits on the San Juan Skyway and it is a proper Colorado getaway. The Dolores River runs through it, which is the whole backdrop for the trip.

For something more comfortable, take glamping. Glamping is camping with the comforts of home attached. There are options in and around Dolores, the Dolores River RV Resort among them. The resort runs cabins and RV sites alongside yurts and tipis.

For something different again, take Old West RV Park. This small, well-kept RV park runs warm and friendly and you settle into it quickly. There are RV sites, cabins and tents. With 10 acres of land there is room to spread out.

No camping trip works without a campfire. Fire pits sit at most campgrounds in Dolores. Follow the fire safety rules and regulations. Bring the s’mores.

Camping under the stars in Dolores stays with you. Tent or cabin, you are inside the natural country of Colorado either way. Pack the gear and go.

The Highs and Lows

Dolores, Colorado has its highs and its lows. In elevation, Dolores sits at a moderate 6,946 feet above sea level. That is high enough to feel it and low enough to breathe easily.

One of the high points is the nearby McPhee Reservoir. This lake is the second-largest artificial lake in Colorado, with over 50 miles of shoreline. Spend the day fishing or boating or lying on the beach at Dolores. A jet ski or a paddleboard rents easily if you want more.

The lows come with it. The Dolores River is the town’s most notorious low point. The river is beautiful and the whitewater rafting on it is good. It will also put you in the cold water if you are careless.

Another low point, literally, is the Anasazi Heritage Center. The museum sits in the nearby town of Cortez and preserves the history of the Ancestral Pueblo people. The exhibits are worth the visit. The museum sits in a valley and takes some getting to.

There are high points to balance that. The Canyons of the Ancients National Monument is among the most popular attractions in Dolores. The area holds over 6,000 ancient Puebloan ruins. That makes it one of the largest archaeological sites in the country. You can hike, bike or drive through the monument.

Dolores is a town of surprises, good and otherwise. Take the highs with the lows and this part of Colorado will stay with you.

Nearby Attractions

So you have worked through Dolores and you want to see more of Colorado. There is plenty within reach.

First, Mesa Verde National Park. A 20-minute drive from Dolores, this park is the one for anybody interested in history and archeology. The ancient cliff dwellings are there, and so is the story of the Ancestral Puebloans who lived here.

For outdoor time, take Telluride or Durango. Both towns sit in the San Juan Mountains and run hiking, biking and skiing. A scenic drive through the mountains between them is worth the fuel on its own.

For a city, Denver is a long drive north. It runs museums and art galleries alongside restaurants and bars. Craft beer people should work through the local breweries.

For a relaxing few days, take one of Colorado’s hot springs. Breckenridge and Steamboat Springs both run hot springs open year-round. Strawberry Park Hot Springs near Steamboat Springs is quieter and takes a short hike to reach.

And for a road trip, take Rocky Mountain National Park or Crested Butte. Both sit further from Dolores and both are worth the drive. Rocky Mountain National Park is known for its scenery and wildlife, and Crested Butte is a ski town with plenty going on outdoors.

That is the country around Dolores in Colorado. History, activity or a slow few days, it is all within reach of the town.

Planning Your Trip

So you are going to Dolores, Colorado. Here is what makes the trip run smoothly.

Map it Out

First things first, let’s get a map. You don’t want to get lost in the wilderness, do you? Of course not! Check out Colorado.com for a map of Dolores and the surrounding area. It’s always a good idea to have a physical map on hand, just in case your phone battery dies. Plus, you’ll look like a real adventurer with a map in your hand.

Plan Your Trip

Now that you’ve got a map, it’s time to plan your trip. What do you want to do? What do you want to see? Check out Tripadvisor for some great ideas. From hiking trails to horseback riding tours, there’s something for everyone. Make a list of the things you want to do and plan your itinerary accordingly.

Photos

Take the camera. Dolores is good-looking country and you will want it recorded. Hiking through the canyons or out at the McPhee Reservoir, the photographs come easily. You will want to show them afterwards.

Tripadvisor

Check Tripadvisor for reviews of hotels and restaurants and attractions in Dolores. It saves you from the wrong hotel or the wrong table. Leave your own reviews afterwards for whoever comes next.

With that, the trip to Dolores, Colorado is ready to book.

Festive Dolores

In the summer months, Dolores runs some of the better events in the state of Colorado. From June to September the town keeps busy and there is usually something on.

First is the Dolores River Festival in June. The event celebrates the Dolores River and it is a good reason to be outside in the Colorado weather. Live music, food and drinks and outdoor recreation all run through it.

Next is the Dolores Mountain Bike Festival in August. This one is for mountain bikers, with trails to work through and other riders to meet. Live music and food and drinks fill the rest of it.

For something slower, the Dolores Farmers Market. It runs every Saturday from June to September and it is where the fresh produce and baked goods and other locally-made products are.

Finally the Dolores Harvest Festival in September. It celebrates the harvest season and it brings out the best of what Dolores cooks and pours. Live music and arts and crafts run alongside.

Whenever you come to Dolores, something is happening. Bring the friends and family and take this Colorado town at its own pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the deal with Geyser Spring Trail in Dolores, CO?

It is a trail that leads to a geyser spring. It is worth the walk if you are in Dolores. The trail runs only 1.5 miles, so it works at any level. At the end you get the hot spring and the country around it. Do not get too close to the spring.

Can I find a decent home in Dolores, CO for under a million dollars?

You do not need to be a millionaire to live in Dolores. There are good homes here for under 500,000 dollars. On a tighter budget, fixer-uppers turn up for under 200,000 dollars. Be ready to do the work.

What’s the best way to get to Dolores, CO? Should I bring a horse?

You could bring a horse and you do not need to. The best way to get to Dolores is by car. From Denver, take US-285 S and US-160 W, which runs about a 6-hour drive. Flying in, the closest airport is Durango-La Plata County Airport, about an hour from Dolores.

Is Dolores Lake worth a visit or should I just stick to the hot springs?

Both are worth it. Dolores Lake takes fishing, boating and swimming. The hot springs take the rest of the day off you. With time, do both.

What’s the quickest way to get from Dolores to Telluride? Can I ride a zipline?

The quickest way from Dolores to Telluride is by car, about a 1.5-hour drive. There is no zipline between the two towns. There is one in Telluride at the Telluride Ski Resort if you want it.

Frequently asked questions about Dolores, Colorado

How big is the McPhee Reservoir lake near Dolores?

McPhee Reservoir out there runs over 50 whole miles of the shoreline right around the whole of the edge of it. It is the second-largest of the artificial lakes anywhere in the whole of Colorado out there as well. Fishing and boating and the whole of the beach all run right off the edge of it there. Kokanee salmon.

How many ancient sites are in the Canyons of the Ancients?

The Canyons of the Ancients National Monument out there holds over 6,000 of the whole of the ancient Native American sites. Some of the cliff dwellings and the kivas out there are over 1,000 whole years old by now. Lowry Pueblo out there is well preserved and it carries all of the interpretive markers on it. Take your time.

Which mountain bike trail system is best near Dolores?

The Boggy Draw Trail System runs over 30 whole miles of the trail right outside of Dolores out there. It turns over into a whole 20 miles of the groomed cross-country ski trail through the winter. Phil’s World Trail System out there is the harder of the two of them. Boggy Draw.

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