Dolores Colorado
Chamber of Commerce
&
Visitor’s Center
P.O. Box 602, Hwy. 145/201 Railroad Avenue
970-882-4018
Dolores, Colorado 81323
©2012 Dolores Chamber of Commerce
In the heart of Mesa Verde Country in Southwest Colorado, Dolores is a perfect location for your next vacation.
In the heart of Mesa Verde Country in Southwest Colorado, Dolores is a perfect location for your next vacation.
Dolores is halfway between Durango and Telluride, only 20 minutes from Mesa Verde National Park, and we are where the Dolores River forms McPhee Reservoir, the second largest body of water in Colorado.
With the Dolores River running through town and mountains on both sides of the valley, Dolores is one of the truly unique vacation spots in Colorado. We have Old West style chuckwagon suppers, Gold Medal flyfishing, spectacular scenery on the San Juan Skyway, casino gaming, boating, waterskiing, camping, hiking and mile after mile of the San Juan National Forest filled with Rocky Mountain elk and mule deer. Visit our Area Activities Guide to get a taste Dolores and all the family fun and adventure Dolores has to offer.
The Historic Dolores River Valley
The ambitious expedition of Fathers Dominguez and Escalante was undertaken at the time the colonies were struggling to create a nation. The Dominguez-Escalante expedition left from Santa Fe and camped at Dolores August 13, 1776. Their goal was to explore unknown lands north and west of Spanish New Mexico, open a route to Spanish missions in California and convert Indians to Spanish culture and religion.
Following native guides over Indian Trails, the expedition proceeded slowly, and as cold weather set in, prospects for reaching California before winter diminished. Lots were cast and a decision was reached to return to Santa Fe by a southerly route. The Franciscans journal and artillery Captain Miera's maps were the first record of lands and peoples in what was to become southern Colorado and Utah.
Each year Dolores celebrates its history with Escalante Days in August. The all-day Festival is filled with raft races, arts and crafts, a parade, a Mountain Bike Race, and other special activities.
The San Juan Skyway
The town of Dolores lies on the San Juan Skyway, a state and federally designated scenic highway, so awe-inspiring, it has been called 'America's Most Beautiful Drive'. The 236 mile loop is a perfect one-day drive. The road will take you over and around the spectacular San Juan Mountains and through the historic mining towns of Telluride, Ouray, Silverton and Durango. Ridgway, Mancos and Cortez are also along the way.
