Dolores River Rafting

Cortez, CO

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 your next chance to experience Dolores River rafting. Who knows how long it will be until you can ride this river of lore again.

While you’re waiting, don’t let adventure pass you buy and check out our other Colorado rafting trips!

Trip Options

No trips available for 2026 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

Reviews from our Guests

Sandra Perez

We booked a tour of Mesa Verde for a full day. Arrived at 8:00; returned at 4:30. The day was not a blue bird sky day - we had clouds, drizzle, rain and grey but the experience was surreal. Overlooks of amazing architecture in the cliffs, pit adobes in the corn fields, storage of grain in the cliffs - all viewed easily from the road and overlooks. Easily seen but not easily understood. That’s where our tour guide, Jay was an incredible asset. He added so much to our viewing of these spaces that we will take away incredible knowledge of the Pueblan People. And then the tour of the Palace. WOW! In fact, WOW was the word of the day! Jay was the best of the best. I have gone with Viator before and have not been disappointed. They pick the best tour companies in the area. Thanks Jay for a wonderful experience.

R C

Eli was amazing!!!! Well guided and have to say we were the only boat to have one maybe two people go overboard! Haha! But seriously, calm, knowledgeable and fun!

Deb Terry

From start to finish our guide, Tim made sure that we had the absolute best experience on the Jeep tour! The sites that he took us to, the information he gave us ensured a memory of a lifetime! Highly recommend!

Crystal Lemmons

The half day kayak trip was an adventure worth experiencing. Eli was our guide and was helpful and enjoyable.

R Di Wu

Hannah our guide was amazing!! She took expert care of two moms and our 5 and 7 year old kids!! All the other guides played water gun battle with our kids the whole trip!! Paton was the other guide and I forgot the other names 😭 everyone was awesome 😀 Highly recommend!! We also tried Tom's for Canadian food like the guides recommended and it was delicious!!! Thank you!!! Will be back!!!

Oleksii Misiura

First time on the rafting, and i received best experience, highly recommend this place to visit Special thanks to the instructors Eli, Hannah and Payton, best guy's!

Dmytro Dmytrenko

Really emotional and fun trip, thanks to all team. Everyone should try kayaking

Trey Walker

Creed and Peyton were awesome guides! Would highly recommend checking out this place.

Nikki Coppola

Peyton was an awesome guide! Beautiful scenery and so much fun!

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.