No Dolores River Trips for 2024
This year’s snowpack did not supply enough water for a sizable release from McPhee Dam, so we unfortunately are not able to run the Dolores River this year. Fingers crossed for 2025!
Luckily there is still plenty of rafting to be had across Southwest Colorado. Here are some other great trips to consider nearby:
Lower Animas in Durango
Upper Animas Needleton Section near Silverton
San Miguel near Telluride
Dolores River Rafting Trip Highlights:
- The longest flowing western river canyon in the US next to the Grand Canyon
- The infamous Snaggletooth Rapid
- A legendary river with red rock hues and towering ponderosa pines
- Due to limited dam releases, access to this magnificent waterway is only every few years.
- Ancient Ancestral Puebloan ruins along the way
- Close to Durango & Telluride, Colorado
- Predictable flows only every few years.
- Great trip for families, friends, groups & reunions
The Dolores River – An Experience Worth Preserving
More About This Trip
Once a free-flowing and mighty river, the Dolores River ran reliably every Spring through the magnificent Dolores River Canyon. The Dolores River Canyon is the longest flowing canyon in the U.S. only second to the Grand Canyon.
Known for its playful whitewater, legendary class IV “Snaggletooth” rapid, ancient ruins, and stunning scenery. These features combine to make for the trip of a lifetime.
Rafting the Dolores River is a special treat that few ever get to experience. Ironically, the Dolores River lives up to its name, the “River of Sorrow”. Due to limited releases of water from the McPhee reservoir, the Dolores isn’t always runnable.
Impounded by the walls of Mcphee Dam only every few years does mother nature overwhelm the heights of this blockage to allow water to cascade through the red rock and gold walls.
Tucked away in the Southwest Corner of Colorado, far away from the racing pace of everyday life, is the Southwest’s Dolores River Canyon. Don’t miss this chance to experience Dolores River rafting. Who knows how long it will be until you can ride this river of lore again.
Trip Options
No trips available for 2024 due to water levels.
Full Day Ponderosa
Dolores, CO
Full Day Dolores River rafting trip. Included lunch. Class I-III rapids.
2-Day Ponderosa Section
Dolores, CO
2-Day raft trip on the Ponderosa Gorge section of the Dolores River.
3-Day Ponderosa Section
Dolores, CO
3-Day raft trip on the Ponderosa Gorge section of the Dolores River.
3.5 Day Slickrock Section
Dolores, CO
3.5 Day includes 3 nights of camping, 3.5 days of rafting through Slick Rock Canyon.
6-Day Ponderosa Gorge & Slick Rock Canyon
Dolores, CO
Ponderosa Gorge & Slick Rock Canyon, Class II, III & IV Rapids
Our Client Reviews from Google
Kim Furry2024-10-27 Miles gave my team a fantastic tour! Lois Weddle2024-10-27 Jay was a fun and educated guide to Mesa Verde! Thank you Alissa Troike2024-10-26 It was great. Miles was incredible. Highly recommend!!! Tom Evans2024-10-25 Great trip to the old mining operations north of Silverton. Very enjoyable. Vicky Guggino2024-10-19 Miles was our guide for both the 1/2 day Jeep Tour out of Silverton and the Mesa Verde Discovery Tour. He did a great job driving, and the history he told us about was amazing. He also gave great dinner suggestions after both tours! Terrye Gorman2024-10-17 It was super. Our tour guide Miles was awesome. Sarah Mcanally2024-10-15 The staff was friendly and went above and beyond to help meet our dates and needs. Their Jeeps were in great condition and took us to see parts of the untouched countryside that I have never seen before. We will certainly use them again on our next trip to Durango. Jane Turpen2024-10-12 We took a jeep trip up into the mountains to enjoy the fall scenery. The colors were beautiful, our guide,Jay, was excellent, and our group of six was great! We even saw them on our train trip back to Durango. There were some health issues for one traveler and a fear of heights for another. Jay was just terrific in handling both! He was caring but didn’t make a big issue of either. Just took the time to make sure everyone was doing okay and made it a good experience for all. It was a terrific day! Margot Wacks2024-10-12 We booked the guided Mesa Verde trip for our family of four. Our guide was Lee, he was INCREDIBLE!!! A wealth of knowledge, kind, considerate, engaging, and wonderful with our two small children (7 and 10) who at times have endless questions. He really made the history come alive for all of us and definitely made the trip a fun historical adventure! He was just wonderful to work with and made the entire experience one we will never forget. This was our first experience with a guided tour and we will definitely do this again. Not having to worry about driving, navigating the park traffic, getting lost, or not making it to the our scheduled palace tour on time was a huge relief. Everything was planned for us, including lunch. We just had to show up and enjoy!
What are you waiting for? Call today (800) 567-6745 OR (970) 247-4789
Payments & Cancellations
Payment Options
- 1/2 down, 1/2 charged 30 days prior to trip.
- 1/3 down with remaining balance charged in thirds.
- Call for other arrangements!
Free Courtesy Hold
We don’t want you to miss out on this trip so we’ll hold your spots, payment-free, for 24hrs while you make your final arrangements & prepare for payment.
Fees
In addition to the listed trip cost, we collect an additional 9% for River and Land Access Fees (ie. Forest Service, BLM, City, Private Land Use).
Cancellation Policy
- 60+ days: Receive a refund less $200 per person unrecoverable fees.
- 45+ days: Reschedule for another trip/date, or receive Mild to Wild gift certificate less $200 per person.
- Less than 45 days, unfortunately there will be no refund.
- RoamRight Travel Insurance is recommended to help cover unforeseen circumstances, such as cancelled flights, sickness or medical evacuations.
- Guests needing to be evacuated from the canyon will be charged a minimum of $1,000 per person.
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Plan Your Trip
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Directions to Meet Location
2023 Press Release
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