The launch site is a cleared area just east of the Highway 141 Bridge at Slick Rock. Please cooperate with the owners. We got out and walked on the dock. Do not leave pets unattended. For kayaking a better choice is Mancos State Park. Start by inspecting the water level. Brown trout are the most common fish in this section of the Dolores, but you may also encounter a few rainbow trout. Bathroom facilities available for guests & plenty of temporary parking & a boat launch with rig parking. Colorado River Fishing Tips A 9-foot 5-wt fly rod with floating line is perfect for fishing dry flies and small nymphs on the Colorado River. It was the third bear sighting report she had in the past month, she said, although it was the first time anyone had caught one of the animals on video. | Ive been going to this lake since I was 3 years old. reputation as a fine Smallmouth Bass fishery with a number of local and regional fishing tournaments held at the reservoir each year. A Bit chilly but very refreshing. Carter Lake in Larimer County, Colorado. Why is this. United States government. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Rio Grande River. Stateline (or Chicken Raper) Rapid is a LONG, bony Class IV that sneaks up on you. Hovenweep National Monument is an hour and 45 minutes west. Mason Lodge awards Bayfield High School student, among others, Longtime Southwest Colorado vineyard to open tasting room in Durango, Hermosa outbuilding engulfed in flames after wind ignites ember from brush burn, Updated Wednesday, Sep. 23, 2020 11:44 PM, Report a paper delivery issue/suspend delivery. Shuttle distance is approximately 40 miles/50 minutes one way via paved and gravel roads. , Stocked trout waters are closed for taking fishbait and baitfish from March 1 to the opening day of trout season. The water is about 60 in the summer and clear 6 to 7 ft down. The water is about 60 in the summer and clear 6 to 7 ft down. Also, most good swimming areas are either accessed by boat or by car and walking down to the lake. Dolores is 39 miles north of the Colorado-New Mexico border along Highway 160 and is 40 miles east of the Colorado-Utah border via Highway 491. McPhee Reservoir is located in Montezuma County, Colorado, United States. Share sensitive information only 91% of travelers recommend this experience. Please be a good neighbor and limituse of generators to no more than one hour at a time. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. The abundance of smallmouth bass and rainbow trout (among MANY other species of fish such as walleye, yellow perch, and Kokanee Salmon) make this reservoir an awesome fishing experience for not only the experienced fisherman, but also rookie fishermen and teaching children how to fish! One area we liked and you will find kayaks is close to the town of Delores. For larger nymphs and streamers a 9-foot 6-wt with a sink tip fly line makes life easier. We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. Visitors enjoy the area for its boating, water skiing and fishing opportunities. For kayaking a better choice is Mancos State Park. The adjacent McPhee Group Areahas 4 group campsites available for reservation (with limited electrical hookups). This stretch is one of the least run, yet most accessible stretches of the Dolores River. The sawmill closed in 1946.[2]. This grim scenario for Grand Canyon and its venerable river is crafted largely by the long-running drought the Southwest has been mired in at least since the opening days of the 21st century. No dump station, it's closed. If you store your boat outside and haven't checked up on her lately, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) has five tips for a midwinter Read More There is a group area that we have stayed in before that has three full hookups, now the hosts have them. Boat Ramp will be closed Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The new state record for flathead catfish was caught in Pueblo Reservoir in 2017! This has left the lower Dolores below McPhee Reservoir with 40cfs or less most of the . McPhee Reservoir, the largest within the San Juan National Forest and second largest in Colorado, has 50 miles of shoreline. There are no toilets or potable water at this site. Driving Directions and Location: Dolores, McPhee Reservoir, and Stoner, Colorado. The Northern Pike and Walleye have no bag restrictions. The bear was about a half mile north of the main dock at McPhee, Caciagli said, and he eased his boat toward the bear for a closeup shot using his smartphone. It is a part of the Dolores Project that dams the Dolores River to provide irrigation water, mainly for Montezuma and Dolores counties. Will def be back! Get a Head Lamp with White and Red Light. What is the elevation of McPhee Reservoir? In 1927, the McPhee sawmill produced over half of Colorado's lumber. The economy of the area will benefit from increased agricultural production and strengthened service-related enterprise dependent on agriculture. The temperature of the water is the second factor. Boat ramp was closed. Many sites offer glimpses of the ancient Anasazi culture, for which this area is known. The bear was about a half mile north of the main dock at McPhee, Caciagli said, and . With that said, a bit of bravery or a wetsuit can create the right moment for a refreshing dip in the reservoir. Table of Contents show . Gore Creek. There are 24 electric hookup campsites as well as 12 tent sites. Yes. It is difficult to scout the entire thing, but the crux lies in the first half of the rapid above and at where the river splits into two channels. 99% of travelers recommend this experience. This is an excellent lake for numerous activities. The rivers temperature can vary from temperate in the shallows to near-freezing in open water. McPhee res. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 100Durango, CO 81301970-259-3893800-426-7637, Dolores Water Conservation District web page, The BLM has additional Dolores River information. He eased his boat toward the bear for a close-up shot using his smartphone. Recreation.gov! It's just gone to hell. One of the areas hardest hit by the lack of snow in southwest Colorado is McPhee Reservoir, the fifth largest in the state. Large catfish like a good-sized meal and the movement of these creatures will get their attention. Who knows what goes through the mind of a wild critter but certainly there was something to drive it to swim across a big lake.. Camping is allowed but is very primitive. Fishing: The reservoir is stocked with warm- and cold-water species of fish. There are few regulations governing fishing you may enjoy fishing from a boat or while relaxing on the lakeshore. Thanks to the San Miguel river, which spills into the Dolores upstream of Gateway, this stretch is runnable almost every spring, compared to the stretches upstream that are lucky to run once ever 5-10 years. About 16.5 miles downstream of the Slick Rock launch site, just past the Gypsum Valley bridge, the river abruptly enters the 29,000 acre Dolores River Canyon Wilderness Study Area. The road dead-ends at the complex. The state record wiper was caught at Lake Pueblo. CPW wildlife manager Matt Thorpe said mountain lions are certainly not lovers of water, but they probably go for a swim more often than we think. McPhee Reservoir is the fifth largest lake in Colorado and popular for boating, fishing, camping, hiking and biking. The management regulation limits the number of fish you may keep after fishing. Amazing time had by all! McPhee Reservoir is a great place to drive with friends, especially when dusk falls. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. The McPhee Campground is on a mesa 500 feet above the reservoir, with road access to the McPhee Boat Launch area. Cortez is 12 miles to the south and Telluride is 65 miles to the north along Highway 145. Sign up for our daily email newsletter or to receive breaking news delivered to your inbox: Choose from several print and digital subscription packages, 2023 Durango Herald | Guide to Lakes and Reservoirs in Colorado Sunrise, Lake Chatfield. What diversity for an artificial lake! This access site has limited parking, a boat launch ramp, toilets, and limited primitive campsites just down river at the Box Elder campsite. Catfish . As you can walk in and use all the amenities here, camping may be one of the better choices for fishing onshore. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. McPhee campground WAS a wonderful place to camp, but now the hosts have all the full hookups. Mesa Verde National Park also stepped up its bear safety education program for visitors in August. Also, most good swimming areas are either accessed by boat or by car and walking down to the lake. Many guests were there & enjoying the Summer breezes, fishing & boating. Services include potable water, trash pickup, vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire grates. Couldn't find easy lakeside access and there is little shade. It weighed 30 lbs and 38.63 inches. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Shuttle distance from Slick Rock to Bedrock is approximately 60 miles/90 minutes one way via paved roads. Durango, CO 81301 Uncover Colorado | Sitemap | Advertise, 7 Captivating Hiking Trails around Cortez, Camping near Cortez, Dolores and Mancos, around Mesa Verde. You can not swim by the boat ramps. Is it all state park or are there private homes on the reservoir? River right is the traditional line, but a river left line also exists. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. There's not a lot of water left, but enough to kayak. READ SOMETHING ELSE. We were certainly surprised, being in the business, he said. There is mandatory mussel inspections on site. You can book on Recreation.gov site, but there has always been room (unless you have a huge rv then make reservation since those site go fast). Visitors enjoy the area for its boating, water skiing and fishing opportunities. Several species of game fish thrive in the lake. 28 days is the maximum camping limit. more. August 31, 2022 by Brent Pollock. Boating, water skiing, swimming and fishing are popular activities. Now, they seem to be coming for the drink. The full-day guided fishing trips that concentrate on Kokanee Salmon and Rainbow Trout are a great option if you want to improve your fishing knowledge and expertise. Heeney Marina: Spend the day relaxing at Green Mountain Reservoir with a pontoon or fishing boat rental from Heeney Marina. McPhee Reservoir is situated in Montezuma County, Colorado, in the United States. ( 98% of travelers recommend this experience. Its nature itll happen. Wind sometimes comes up in afternoon. On average, the Colorado River within the Grand Canyon is 40 feet deep. All Large and Small-mouth Bass between 10-15" must be released back to the water. The canyon is narrow and deep with towering walls that often reach skyward directly from the waters edge. Read all replies . This stretch of river is appropriately called Ponderosa Gorge. The unique combination of pine groves and red sandstone cliffs makes this one of the most scenic segments of the Dolores River. This 50 mile segment of the Dolores a true gem and hosts some of the best scenery on the river. Activities Aerial of McPhee Reservoir. The former business was McPhee Boat Rentals,but they have been out of business for some time. Chambers Lake in Larimer County, Colorado. ) or https:// means you've safely Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. These campsites offer wonderful views, and they provide a peaceful place to take the whole family. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Attempts to reach Branson were not immediately successful Wednesday morning. A dozen campsites are walk-ins with tent pads near scenic overlooks. Who said cats dont like water?. Easy parking, great boating and very uncrowded! You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Read all replies. If your only goal is to swim, it is advisable to verify the water level before traveling to McPhee Reservoir, Colorado. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. General Information: The Arkansas River through Pueblo provides excellent fishing for rainbow and brown trout in a stretch of river measuring nearly 9 river miles. Canyon of the Ancients is an hour and a half hours southwest. Most of our trips on Pueblo are focused on walleye, but we do offer trips for other species when the bite is good! These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. No fees are charged for camping here. Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.. There are now only two full hookups available for reservations only. There are services available to help you maintain and manage your boating experience, including: Both motorized and non-powered boats may be used to enjoy your boating adventure. Picnic tables, campfire rings and grills are provided, as are vault toilets and drinking water. What restaurants are near McPhee Reservoir? Hotels near Montezuma County Airport (CEZ), Hotels near Telluride Regional Airport (TEX), Motels near Montezuma County Airport (CEZ), Motels near Telluride Regional Airport (TEX), Luberon Villages Half-Day Tour from Aix-en-Provence, Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train, Machu Picchu or Cusco, Private Antique Car Tour of Historic Belle Isle, Lamborghini Sports Car Experience from Nice, 7 Day Winter Tour of England and Scotland starting from London. Fly fishing the Dolores River is a great place to fish dry dropper or technical dry fly fishing. Aerial of McPhee Reservoir. Is the Colorado River good for trout fishing? Visitors enjoy the area for its boating, water skiing and fishing opportunities. Map showing recreational areas. The nature of McPhee Reservoir, Colorado, is ideal for hiking as the trails are long enough and elevated. House Creek campground is on the northeast side of McPhee Reservoir. This is generally a two or three-day trip. more. Then the canyon deepens, sandstone walls appear and groves of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir cover the benches along the river. Most of this 32 mile stretch is flat, with 3 exceptions. Chris Caciagli, of Cortez, encountered the bear Saturday as he was boating in the reservoir. Open through August. The water is about 60 in the summer and clear 6 to 7 ft down. Hotels near Rio Grande Southern Railroad Museum. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. The limits for small and largemouth Bass are 5 inches below or above the slot, but none may be retained between 10 and 15 inches. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. So each loop has a host in a full hook up! The access point to this segment of the river is the Bradfield Recreation Site on river left 1/4 mile downstream from the Bradfield Bridge. where you have homes all around the water and very visible. McPhee Reservoir - Two boat ramps allow for motorized boats on the water. For kayaking a better choice is Mancos State Park. This summer, residents have reported numerous bear sightings near populated areas. Resources. As seen from Sage Hen March 29, the bay that includes the McPhee Reservoir boat ramp is iced in, which has delayed its opening. The bear was about a half mile north of the main dock at McPhee, Caciagli said, and about 200 yards from shore. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Recreation.gov is your gateway to explore America's outdoor Make Short Casts. Where is the best fishing in Colorado right now? 91% of travelers recommend this experience. Vendors provide boat rentals, daily fishing information, BBQ grills, depth finder, fishing rods andtackle as well assnacks and meals. We just rode down here. There are a total of 71 campsites available. McPhee res. Also, there is high and low ground to make the journey more enjoyable. It does not store any personal data. Who knows what Colorado's riparian environments would look like if we didn't dam most of our major rivers Cherry Creek Reservoir in Cherry Creek State Park. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Particularly dry stretches from 2002 to 2005 and again from 2012 to 2020 have taken a dire toll on the watershed. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. After traveling with your boat, checking it in at the ramp, and having it examined for mussels, you may enjoy the lakes gorgeous waters. An alternate put-in is in Big Gypsum Valley, 14 miles downriver or 25 road miles from Slick Rock. The campground is situated in a gently sloping meadow near the reservoir's high-water line. While you navigate through the website Spend the day relaxing at Green Mountain Reservoir with a or... Has ended which this area is known segment of the Dolores river to provide irrigation water, mainly Montezuma. An alternate put-in is in Big Gypsum Valley, 14 miles downriver or 25 road miles from Rock! Stretches from 2002 to 2005 and again from 2012 to 2020 have a. 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