Dolores River, Colorado

The River of Sorrows

River Class / Skill Level

• Class: III–IV whitewater with technical rapids and exciting canyon scenery.

• Skill Level: Intermediate to advanced boaters should be comfortable with technical desert rapids.

Season / Permits / Weather

• Boating Season: Spring releases typically occur April through early June when water is available.

• Permit Required: No permit required, but flows depend on reservoir releases.

• Best Time to Run: During scheduled spring dam releases.

• Weather: Cool spring temperatures with occasional storms and fluctuating desert conditions.

Water Levels / River Character

• Typical Flow Range: ~800–4,000 cfs depending on dam releases.

• Low Water: Technical maneuvering around rocks and shallow rapids.

• Optimal Flows: 1,500–3,000 cfs provides exciting wave trains and smooth boating.

• High Water: Fast current and powerful rapids through narrow canyon sections.

• Special Considerations: Boatable seasons are unpredictable and depend entirely on reservoir releases.

Put-In / Take-Out

• Standard Put-In: Bradfield Bridge.

• Standard Take-Out: Dewey Bridge near the Colorado River confluence.

• Trip Length: Approximately 172 miles for the full run, commonly done in 5–7 days depending on section.

River Trip Launch Pad

Essential links for permits, conditions, maps, shuttles and gear before you hit the road.

BLM

Regs

Aquatic Species

Boat Inspections Map

Camping

Local Camping

Put In Directions

Bradfield Bridge Boatramp

Weather

Local Forecast

River Map

Rivermaps

Shuttle

Local Shuttle Company

Gear

Local Gear Shop

Hot Springs

Nearby Hot Springs

Solid Block Ice

List of solid Block Ice

Groover

Map of Dump Stations

Snow to Flow

Snowpack and Water Forecasting

Directions Big Gypsum

Big Gypsum Valley Boat Ramp

Your Dolores Trip

Google Docs PDF