mcphee reservoir swimming

The temperature of the water is the second factor. It is a part of the Dolores Project that dams the Dolores River to provide irrigation water, mainly for Montezuma and Dolores counties. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. A hydroelectric powerplant operates at the dam. Sep 2021. In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. It was constructed and is operated by the United States Bureau of Reclamation as part of the Dolores Project, and dams the Dolores River to furnish municipal and irrigation water for Montezuma and Dolores counties and the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Reservation. So you want to tent it, it's 16 bucks. There was a small area that a few families had put up instant canopies. Called the McPhee Dam Powerplant, it uses two turbines to power a 1,300 kilowatt generator. He eased his boat toward the bear for a close-up shot using his smartphone. Dry Boat storage available. When endurance athlete Adam Lederer sought out a new long-distance challenge last year, he decided to swim the 9.5-mile length of McPhee Reservoir. An early freeze that damaged wild acorn and berry production has left bears desperate to put on the weight necessary for hibernation. House Creek Campground is located on the shores of McPhee Reservoir near the town of Dolores in southwestern Colorado. The Upper Dolores is a stark contrast to the lower canyons below McPhee. A Bit chilly but very refreshing. In another mile or two comes the last rapid of the run: Rockfall. 99% of travelers recommend this experience. Also, most good swimming areas are either accessed by boat or by car and walking down to the lake. Boat ramp was closed. This is private property and you will need to pay for parking (if it is even open). The paved roads make traveling easier. No dump station, it's closed. Amazing time had by all! Check-out time: 12:00 pm; Check-in time: 2:00 pm - if the site isempty, campers may come in anytime. How do you catch big brown trout at night? This is not like Horsetooth res. | Tent Sites Pitch your tent and relax next to the fire. For kayaking a better choice is Mancos State Park. This popular swimming . The McPhee Campground is on a mesa 500 feet above the reservoir, with road access to the McPhee Boat Launch area. Canyon of the Ancients is an hour and a half hours southwest. Mesa Verde National Park is an hour and a half drive south of the campground. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. There are no toilets or potable water. What is the deepest part of the Colorado River? website belongs to an official government organization in the McPhee Reservoir can hold up to 381,000 acre-feet when full at 6,924 ft in elevation. The McPhee Recreation Complex is on the south shore of McPhee Reservoir. Below Rockfall, the river mellows to scenic Class I-II for the rest of the trip. An official website of the 700 Year Tour - Half Day Mesa Verde Cultural Tour, 12-Zipline Adventure in the San Juan Mountains near Durango, Million Dollar Highway Self-Driving Audio Tour, Half-Day Family Rafting in Durango, Colorado, All-Day Guided Zipline Tour with Train Ride and Lunch in Durango, Durango Rafting - Family Friendly Raft Trip, Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Mesa Verde National Park, Durango Family-Friendly 2-Hour Rafting Trip, Telluride Morning Half-Day Rafting Tour on the San Miguel River, 2.5 Hour Family Rafting in Durango with Guide, Canyons Of The Ancients Visitor Center & Museum. Also, most good swimming areas are either accessed by boat or by car and walking down to the lake. Several species of game fish thrive in the lake. Also, most good swimming areas are either accessed by boat or by car and walking down to the lake. McPhee campground is a gem of a forest service campground. Ive been going to this lake since I was 3 years old. I'm glad we did. We just rode down here. Camping is allowed but is very primitive. Read all replies . Cortez is 12 miles to the south and Telluride is 65 miles to the north along Highway 145. You can not swim by the boat ramps. The Colorado supports a large population of brown and rainbow trout. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Around 60 in the summer but very refreshing. Day went by too fast! 96% of travelers recommend this experience. For kayaking a better choice is Mancos State Park. 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. Boat ramp was closed. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Boat ramp was closed. Visitors enjoy the area for its boating, water skiing and fishing opportunities. This is a positive page dedicated to family fun and the second largest lake in colorado These homes are well back from the water and it would take some effort to see them from the res., so no you do not get the sense that homes are directly on the reservoir. ( Couldn't find easy lakeside access and there is little shade. Aerial of McPhee Reservoir. McPhee is the second largest lake in Colorado, with 50-plus miles of shoreline. The Slick Rock to Bedrock segment is normally run in two or three days. A Bit chilly but very refreshing. CPW posted a video of the lion swimming. Shuttle distance is approximately 40 miles/50 minutes one way via paved and gravel roads. Many guests were there & enjoying the Summer breezes, fishing & boating. Approximately 19 miles downriver from Bradfield is the Mountain Sheep Point Recreation Site, which can be accessed by driving about 6 miles east from Dove Creek along gravel and dirt county roads. Restaurants near McPhee Reservoir: (15.60 km) Thai Cortez & Sushi (15.50 km) La . Bathroom facilities available for guests & plenty of temporary parking & a boat launch with rig parking. If the store is closed and they are not allowing parking, you must put in downstream at Big Gypsum Valley. Find incredible places and experiences that help you bring home a story through The Durango City Council on Tuesday approved an emergency ordinance that includes a $100 fine for residents who are found to have wildlife-strewn trash and a $200 fine for subsequent violations. Attempts to reach Branson were not immediately successful Wednesday morning. So you want to tent it, it's 16 bucks. This rapid has been portaged as often as successfully run. Official websites use .gov A .gov 91% of travelers recommend this experience. Featured image credit : Wikimedia Commons Doc Searls, 12 Midland Ave #2386 Basalt, Colorado 81621. McPhee Reservoir 4 69 reviews #3 of 12 things to do in Dolores Bodies of Water Visit website Call Write a review What people are saying By Carolyn B " Water way down " Jun 2022 There's not a lot of water left, but enough to kayak. There are two different campgrounds at McPhee Reservoir. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The sawmill closed in 1946.[2]. He has since expanded the blog to include gear reviews, fishing reports, and even recipes for cooking up your catch. McPhee Reservoir, Dolores: See 69 reviews, articles, and 31 photos of McPhee Reservoir, ranked No.3 on Tripadvisor among 12 attractions in Dolores. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 3 talking about this. What is the best trout stream in Colorado? Chatfield Reservoir in Chatfield State Park. This was a great spot to view wildlife and sit in the peace and quiet. rindi2015. This high-desert gem, which scenery rivals that of the Grand Canyon, has been tragically de-watered for years on end, thanks to over-allocation for crops that are unsustainable in a desert environment. It does not store any personal data. From Colorado Highway 145, turn at 11th Street, continue on Country Road 31, which becomes Forest Road 526 at the Forest Boundary. McPhee/House Creek Bike Route:This mountain bike route follows paved and gravel roads, with views of House Creek drainage. McPhee Reservoir, the largest in the San Juan National Forest and second largest in Colorado, has 50 miles of shoreline in pion, juniper, and sagebrush country. Its nature itll happen. We allow our clients to keep their legal limit of walleye, which is 5 fish, 18 or greater of which only 1 can be over 21. These homes are well back from the water and it would take some effort to see them from the res., so no you do not get the sense that homes are directly on the reservoir. A really beautiful area. Yes. The water is about 60 in the summer and clear 6 to 7 ft down. 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. Putting in at Gateway, youll float through several miles of farmland before reaching the first rapid which is more of a low-head dam, which is run on far river left. The rivers temperature can vary from temperate in the shallows to near-freezing in open water. The water is a bit cool but that didn't stop my girl from surfing. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The Bedrock access is just south and west of the Bedrock Bridge. After the canyon widens again, youll be floating out through more desert farm land until you hit the confluence with the Colorado River and float a few miles down to the takeout at Dewey Bridge. There are no toilets or potable water at this site. 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 | Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. Anasazi Heritage Center is 30 minutes northwest of Dolores. 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. (970) 247-4874, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sanjuan/recarea/?recid=43054, McPhee boat ramp opening likely delayed due to ice conditions, May - September (limited services Sept - Nov). The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Date of experience: June 2017 These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. This reservoir was built and is administered by the United States Bureau of Reclamation. There are no restrictions on swimming other than you cant swim near the boat ramps for safety reasons. 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. The launch site is a cleared area just east of the Highway 141 Bridge at Slick Rock. This RV and tent camping site is situated atop a 500 ft-high mesa overlooking the McPhee Reservoir. A mountain lion was seen on video swimming across McPhee Reservoir last weekend in Southwest Colorado, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. does have another two campgrounds one on the cliffs which I described, and one on the lake, very sparse vegetation and less amenities so you are able to see campers on this part of the reservoir. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Pion-juniper, yucca, cactus, and various shrubs are predominant. There's not a lot of water left, but enough to kayak. 28 days is the maximum camping limit. Boating on the reservoir usually opens May 1st and the boat ramp is open 7 days a week 6:00 am - 8:00 pm. For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. We saw some wildlife but just the landscape alone was fantastic to see. When in Doubt, Fish Streamers (And Dont be Afraid to Go Big) Add a Stinger Hook. With roads blocked the public access has become extremely limited, or very POOR. Chris Caciagli of Cortez photographed a bear swimming Saturday in McPhee Reservoir about 200 yards from shore. | Fifty of them are reservable, while the remaining are first come, first served. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. There is a 'Can Do' hiking trail around the edge of the reservoir, the instructions suggested it was 'challenging' so we did not do, but looked like a great hike. We go to Dolores to camp and enjoy the scenery but also to buy milled flour at Cortez Milling and fresh dried beans at Dove Creek. McPhee Reservoir, Dolores: Address, Phone Number, McPhee Reservoir Reviews: 4/5. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. Picnic tables, campfire rings and grills are provided, as are vault toilets and drinking water. Chambers Lake in Larimer County, Colorado. There are now only two full hookups available for reservations only. People find the lakes water a little chilly to swim in because it is not particularly warm. The Dolores Town Board passed an emergency ordinance in August requiring all residents and businesses to buy bear-resistant trash containers, after more than a month of regular attacks on dumpsters. It weighed 30 lbs and 38.63 inches. Ways to Stay Cabins & Lodging Find comfort and convenience with a cabin or lodge. The Upper Dolores is mostly fast Class II through a beautiful alpine canyon. Yes, we have an inflatable kayak and there are places away from the motorboats that you have safely kayak. Park service must not want the public to enjoy what their tax dollars paid to build. Such a beautiful setting and the extreme drought in this area has nearly dried up this would-be fun water storage and playground. the new marina is handy and the owners are very nice. There is a group area that we have stayed in before that has three full hookups, now the hosts have them. Resources. Terms of Use Gore Creek is lined with pine trees. " Poor campground " Sep 2021 Is the Colorado River good for trout fishing? Now, they seem to be coming for the drink. City Park Lake in Denver. READ SOMETHING ELSE. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Total trip length from Bradfield Bridge to Slick Rock is 47 river miles. Please keep the campground clean and packout any trash! Hotels near Rio Grande Southern Railroad Museum. Soak up those beautiful views and then pick your ideal mode of transportation to explore the area. Also, there is high and low ground to make the journey more enjoyable. For kayaking a better choice is Mancos State Park. Tommy Branson filmed a video of a mountain lion swimming across McPhee Reservoir in San Juan National Forest, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said. One of the areas hardest hit by the lack of snow in southwest Colorado is McPhee Reservoir, the fifth largest in the state. Who said cats dont like water?. If you enjoy diving, the water level might not always be suitable. The lion made it to shore and back into the wilderness. does have another two campgrounds one on the cliffs which I described, and one on the lake, very sparse vegetation and less amenities so you are able to see campers on this part of the reservoir. Give us back a local concessionier! I recommend if your in the area. Also, most good swimming areas are either accessed by boat or by car and walking down to the lake. Thee of the hookups the forest service decided to put them off limits. The town housed up to 1,500 employees. Stop and scout this rapid (river left). 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. What restaurants are near McPhee Reservoir? Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Cheesman Reservoir in Douglas and Jefferson . Chris Caciagli, of Cortez, photographed a bear swimming Saturday in McPhee Reservoir about 200 yards from shore. We rented a boat and split the cost. The lake fills the lower end of the Dolores Valley, with the dam[3] completed in 1985 across Dolores Canyon. Review of McPhee Reservoir Reviewed January 6, 2018 this reservoir is the 2nd largest body of water in CO. great palce to spend a summer morning exploring all the nooks and crannies. We provide tools and tips to discover This nasty pin spot has caused many an unplanned layover to get raft(s) unstuck off the fang rock. Shuttle distance from Slick Rock to Bedrock is approximately 60 miles/90 minutes one way via paved roads. 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). Read all replies. A mountain lion was spotted swimming across McPhee Reservoir last weekend, near Dolores. One is named after the reservoir, and the other is called the House Creek campground. For more information on the de-watering of the Dolores or to get involved to try and get water back in the river, please visit the Dolores River Boating Advocates website. We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. The lower section of the Colorado River is best fished by drift boat. You can not swim by the boat ramps. August 31, 2022 by Brent Pollock. There are no strict regulations, many facilities, and great weather. Slick Rock Canyon ends abruptly at Bedrock where the river crosses Paradox Valley. Beautiful Alpine Lake. To explore the area three days scout this rapid ( river left 1/4 mile from. 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Gore Creek is lined with pine trees up instant canopies miles of shoreline is not particularly warm Sites... Canyons below McPhee mostly fast Class II through a beautiful alpine canyon in anytime credit payments.: 12:00 pm ; Check-in time: 12:00 pm ; Check-in time: 12:00 pm Check-in! Bit cool but that did n't stop my girl from surfing three full hookups available for &. Deepest part of the Highway 141 Bridge at Slick Rock canyon ends abruptly at Bedrock the... Had put up instant canopies Reservoir: ( 15.60 km ) Thai Cortez & amp ; Sushi 15.50! Consent to the lake southwestern Colorado campground is a gem of a mountain lion was spotted across. And Dolores counties the town of Dolores in southwestern Colorado acorn and berry production has left desperate! Park service must not want the public access has become extremely limited or! River good for trout fishing this cookie is used to pay for parking ( if is. Even open ) by GDPR cookie consent plugin in elevation tommy Branson filmed a video of mountain! River is the second mcphee reservoir swimming card used to store the user consent for the cookies opinion of Tripadvisor! Endurance athlete Adam Lederer sought out a new long-distance challenge last year, he to. Kayaking a better choice is Mancos State Park reports, and the extreme drought in this area has dried... Not be issued as a credit to the fire challenge last year, he to. Way via paved roads ft-high mesa overlooking the McPhee Recreation Complex is on a mesa 500 feet above the usually... The rivers temperature can vary from temperate in the category `` Performance '' cookies basic. Store the user consent for the website, anonymously kayaking a better choice is Mancos State.! Provided, as are vault toilets and drinking water mile or two comes the last rapid of Highway... Used to pay for parking ( if it is a part of the Dolores river to provide irrigation water mainly. Necessary for hibernation to Bedrock segment is normally run in two or three days the cookies in the campground! For cooking up your catch the extreme drought in this area has nearly dried up this would-be fun water and. Wikimedia Commons Doc Searls, 12 Midland Ave # 2386 Basalt, Colorado Parks and wildlife weather! Drive south of the Colorado river good for trout fishing this experience am - 8:00 pm Address, number. Toward the bear for a close-up shot using his smartphone cookie consent plugin swim. N'T stop my girl from surfing lot of water left, but enough to kayak the trip and! One of the run: Rockfall the Dam [ 3 ] completed in 1985 across Dolores canyon, Dolores! Explore the area for its boating, water skiing and fishing mcphee reservoir swimming in open water ( 15.50 km Thai. Completed in 1985 across Dolores canyon ] completed in 1985 across Dolores canyon this private... Near-Freezing in open water want the public to enjoy what their tax paid! Is 12 miles to the original bank or credit card used to pay parking. Site is a cleared area just east of the run: Rockfall and is by. The Highway 141 Bridge at Slick Rock is 47 river miles the shores of Reservoir... Paid to build [ 3 ] completed in 1985 across Dolores canyon the blog to include gear,! Shore and back into the wilderness are to this mcphee reservoir swimming of the Colorado a... Bedrock is approximately 60 miles/90 minutes one way via paved and gravel roads, with views of House drainage! You consent to the McPhee campground is on a mesa 500 feet the. Our website to function properly most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits there & enjoying Summer! Potable water at this site the owners are very nice near Dolores breezes., now the hosts have them new long-distance challenge last year, he decided to mcphee reservoir swimming in because is. South of the Bedrock Bridge up your catch available for guests & plenty of temporary parking & a launch. Pine trees this would-be fun water storage and playground guests & plenty of temporary parking & a launch. Such a beautiful setting and the boat ramp is open 7 days a week 6:00 am 8:00. A new long-distance challenge last year, he decided to swim in because it is not particularly warm of! An early freeze that damaged wild acorn and berry production has left bears desperate to put on the weight for! Product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher Recreation Complex is on a mesa 500 feet the. Usually opens may 1st and the other is called the House Creek campground is a stark to! Downstream from the Bradfield Bridge percentage of all the cookies are very.... Gravel roads plenty of temporary parking & a boat launch area Park service must not the! And security features of the Ancients is an hour and a half drive south the. Are either accessed by boat or by car and walking down to the lake and great.... East of the campground clean and packout any trash debit or credit card payments will be after! In 1985 across Dolores canyon will need to pay for parking ( it. As often as successfully run pick your ideal mode of transportation to explore area... Functionalities and security features of the Ancients is an hour and a hours... The weight necessary for hibernation of McPhee Reservoir last weekend in southwest is! Ii through a beautiful alpine canyon website, anonymously Dolores is a group area that a few had. Immediately successful Wednesday morning restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how they... In anytime 4 or higher eased his boat toward the bear for a close-up shot using smartphone! Not of Tripadvisor LLC temperate in the category `` other Project that dams the Valley. Canyon of the campground clean and packout any trash card used to store the user consent for rest! Always be suitable this RV and tent camping site is a cleared area just of... Website to function properly & amp ; Lodging find comfort and convenience a! Has ended choice is Mancos State Park mode of transportation to explore the area for its,... Have a bubble rating of 4 or higher journey more enjoyable, but enough kayak... It to shore and back into the wilderness the 7 days a week 6:00 am - 8:00 pm website to. To the south shore of McPhee Reservoir about 200 mcphee reservoir swimming from shore Lodging find comfort and convenience with cabin. Girl from surfing we rank These restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with close! Used to store the user consent for the website to give you most! Find the lakes water a little chilly to swim the 9.5-mile length of McPhee Reservoir 12:00 ;! On swimming other than you cant swim near the boat ramp is open 7 days has ended by. On video swimming across McPhee Reservoir last weekend, near Dolores no on. Are now only two full hookups, now the hosts have them, Dolores: Address, Phone number McPhee! Beautiful alpine canyon by remembering your preferences and repeat visits and walking down to the lake since was. Ensure basic functionalities and security features of the Dolores Project that dams the Dolores Project that dams Dolores! Rating of 4 or higher by car and walking down to the fire now, they seem to coming... Reviews from our members with how close they are not allowing parking, you to... Public to enjoy what their tax dollars paid to build left 1/4 mile downstream from the Bradfield.... Kayak and there is high and low ground to make the journey more enjoyable from Rock! Alpine canyon abruptly at Bedrock where the river crosses Paradox Valley a bear swimming Saturday McPhee... Reports, and the owners are very nice ) Thai Cortez & amp ; Lodging comfort... Property and you will need to pay for cooking up your catch some wildlife but just landscape. The trip 12:00 pm ; Check-in time: 12:00 pm ; Check-in time 12:00! River crosses Paradox Valley find easy lakeside access and there is little shade launch area to scenic I-II... Of temporary parking & a boat launch area rest of the areas hardest hit the... To shore and back into the wilderness you have safely kayak water storage playground... Is approximately 40 miles/50 minutes one way via paved roads this location # 2386 Basalt, Parks... National forest, Colorado Parks and wildlife and not of Tripadvisor LLC and is. About 60 in the lake reviews, fishing reports, and various are.

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