Outdoor Access – Dolores, Colorado

Mountain Biking:

Dolores, Colorado, offers a variety of mountain biking trails suitable for riders of all skill levels. From scenic singletrack to challenging downhill descents, there’s something for every mountain biking enthusiast.

Mountain Biking Trails near Dolores:

1. Boggy Draw Trail System:
   • Description: Offers miles of well-maintained singletrack trails winding through the San Juan National Forest.
   • Access: Located approximately 10 miles northwest of Dolores off County Road 31 (Boggy Draw Road).
2. Phil’s World Mountain Biking Trails:
   • Description: Renowned for its excellent mountain biking trails, offering riders thrilling rides through slickrock terrain and scenic desert landscapes.
   • Access: Located approximately 15 miles northwest of Dolores off County Road G.
3. San Juan National Forest Trails:
   • Description: Offers a variety of mountain biking trails, from easy family-friendly rides to challenging technical descents.
   • Access: Trailheads are located throughout the San Juan National Forest, with access points from Forest Service roads and designated parking areas.
4. Calico Trail:
   • Description: Offers riders a challenging singletrack experience with views of the surrounding mountains and canyons.
   • Access: Located approximately 15 miles northeast of Dolores off Forest Service Road 526.
5. Balsam Trail:
   • Description: A scenic singletrack trail winding through aspen groves and pine forests in the San Juan National Forest.
   • Access: Located approximately 12 miles northwest of Dolores off Forest Service Road 526.
6. McPhee Overlook Trail:
   • Description: Offers riders a challenging climb to a scenic overlook with panoramic views of McPhee Reservoir and the surrounding mountains.
   • Access: Located approximately 10 miles southwest of Dolores off County Road 25.

Fishing:

Dolores, Colorado, is surrounded by pristine rivers, streams, and reservoirs, offering excellent fishing opportunities for anglers of all skill levels. Whether you prefer casting in a mountain stream or trolling on a reservoir, Dolores has something to offer every angler.

Fly Fishing Opportunities near Dolores:

• Dolores River:
  • Upper Dolores River: A classic freestone stream offering challenging fishing conditions and the chance to target wild trout species such as rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout, as well as mountain whitefish.
  • Lower Dolores River: Flows through a desert canyon landscape and offers excellent fishing for trout, smallmouth bass, and northern pike.
• McPhee Reservoir: A large impoundment on the Dolores River offering excellent fishing for trout, bass, perch, and other warmwater species.
• Mountain Streams and Lakes: Dolores is surrounded by numerous high mountain lakes and small mountain streams offering challenging fishing for wild trout species. Examples include the West Dolores River, Lizard Head Creek, Calico Creek, Bear Creek, and Elk Creek.

Fly Fishing Gear and Services:

• Several fly shops and outfitters operate in the Dolores area, offering guided fly fishing trips, gear rental, and other services to anglers.

Hunting:

Dolores, Colorado, offers excellent hunting opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. With its diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife, hunters will find a variety of game species to pursue throughout the hunting seasons. Here are some specific hunting opportunities near Dolores:

Big Game Hunting:

• Elk Hunting: Dolores and the surrounding areas are renowned for their elk populations. Both over-the-counter and limited draw hunting opportunities are available in Game Management Units (GMUs) 71, 72, and 73, offering a variety of terrain and hunting experiences.
• Mule Deer Hunting: The Dolores area also provides excellent mule deer hunting opportunities. GMUs 71, 72, and 73 offer mule deer hunting opportunities, with both limited draw and over-the-counter tags available.
• Black Bear Hunting: Black bear hunting is popular near Dolores due to the area’s dense forests and rugged terrain. Limited draw bear tags are available in GMUs 71, 72, and 73, or hunters can pursue bears during the rifle seasons with an elk or deer tag.

Small Game and Upland Bird Hunting:

• Turkey Hunting: Dolores and the surrounding areas offer excellent turkey hunting opportunities. Both Merriam’s and Rio Grande subspecies of wild turkey can be pursued during the spring and fall turkey hunting seasons.
• Waterfowl Hunting: The Dolores area is home to several reservoirs, rivers, and wetland areas that provide habitat for waterfowl. Hunters can pursue a variety of species, including ducks, geese, and other waterfowl, during the designated hunting seasons.

Hunting Regulations and Access:

• Hunters must familiarize themselves with Colorado hunting regulations before hunting in the Dolores area. Specific regulations for each species and hunting unit can be found on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.
• Access to hunting areas near Dolores is primarily on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service. Hunters should consult maps and land management agencies for information on public land boundaries, road access, and other important details.

These outdoor activities provide excellent opportunities to explore the natural beauty of Dolores, Colorado, and its surrounding areas.