Imagine Waking Up Here

The 5th-largest reservoir in Colorado with 4,470 surface acres, McPhee is the region's water playground. Two full-service marina areas, Doc's Marina (open April–October), campgrounds, and miles of red sandstone shoreline make it the go-to for big water fun.

Activities: Motorboating, waterskiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and swimming. The calm inner coves are perfect for SUP yoga. Ice fishing draws visitors in winter.

Camping: Two developed Forest Service campgrounds sit right on the reservoir — McPhee Campground (71 sites, flush toilets, some electric hookups, scenic mesa-top setting) and House Creek Campground (60 sites, lakeside access, several loops). Both are reservable through recreation.gov and open seasonally, typically May through September.

A local gem tucked into the hills above Mancos. The reservoir is calm and non-motorized-friendly, making it an ideal launch for kayaks and paddleboards. Fishing, camping, and hiking are year-round draws. Widely considered the best kayaking option in the immediate area.

32 campsites on-site. Mesa Verde towers on the horizon — the views alone are worth the trip.

A 341-acre reservoir with four public boat launches and a relaxed, local vibe. Summit Lake is a favorite for paddleboards and kayaks, with consistent wind conditions for those who like a little chop. Easy access and rarely crowded.

One of Colorado's great wild rivers. The Dolores winds through stunning sandstone canyons with rapids ranging from Class II floats to Class IV whitewater. The canyon walls reveal ancient geology and a landscape few people see from the road.

Spring runoff (April–June) provides the best flows for rafting and kayaking. The lower canyon requires a permit and planning ahead.

A short drive south opens up one of Colorado's most versatile water recreation destinations. Houseboating, waterskiing, wakeboarding, swimming, cliff jumping, and year-round fishing for crappie, bass, pike, trout, and catfish. Two full marinas with rentals and restaurants.

Camping: Navajo Lake State Park spans both the Colorado and New Mexico sides of the reservoir with multiple campgrounds totaling 118+ sites — everything from primitive tent spots to full-hookup RV pads, plus cabin rentals. A great option for an extended lake weekend with the whole rig.

A mountain lake beloved by local anglers and families looking to escape the crowds. Situated at elevation in the San Juan Mountains, Groundhog offers boat rentals, RV and tent sites, and lakeside cabins for rent. A peaceful alternative when McPhee gets busy on summer weekends.

The southwestern-most rafting river in Colorado and the closest big-water option to home. Over 50 miles of steady Class III–IV whitewater through dramatic sandstone canyon country, with bighorn sheep often spotted on the canyon walls. A favorite for multi-day backcountry trips.

Spring runoff (April–June, dam-release dependent) provides the best flows. Local and regional outfitters run trips out of Cortez and Dolores.

The region's whitewater hub. The Animas flows right through downtown Durango, with the Lower Animas offering family-friendly Class II–III rapids (including the Santa Rita Whitewater Park) and the legendary Upper Animas delivering some of the toughest commercially rafted Class IV–V water in the country, accessed via the historic Durango & Silverton train.

Season runs May through September, with peak flows in late May/June. Numerous outfitters offer everything from a 2.5-hour "Splash and Dash" to multi-day Upper Animas expeditions.

The San Juan River offers everything from relaxed floats to multi-day canyon expeditions as it winds 400+ miles toward its confluence with the Colorado River. The nearby Piedra River adds technical, scenic Class III–IV whitewater through ponderosa forest — often combined into a two-day trip.

Worth the drive for serious rafters: Westwater Canyon delivers Class I–IV whitewater through dramatic black-rock canyon walls, with day trips and multi-day options departing from the Moab area. Many regional outfitters that serve Durango and Cortez also run trips here and in Grand Junction's Ruby/Horsethief Canyons.

The most-fished stretch in the region — and for good reason. Cold tailwater releases from McPhee Dam maintain prime trout habitat with outsized populations of brown trout along with rainbow, cutthroat, and cutbow hybrids. Multiple pull-off access points make it wade-in friendly.

A classic feeder stream experience with multiple pull-offs along Montezuma County Road 38. Fish your way down from Fish Creek to the West Dolores, ending where it meets the main Dolores River. Light pressure, beautiful mountain scenery, and consistent trout.

The headwaters country near Rico and the San Juan Mountains offers trophy-class brown trout for those willing to earn it. Remote access (4WD recommended), minimal fishing pressure, and fish that have never seen a fly shop. The remoteness is the point.

Note: check SJNF maps for public land access before heading out.

Open year-round and stocked with both warm and cold-water species: walleye, smallmouth and largemouth bass, kokanee salmon, crappie, northern pike, perch, and multiple trout species. The north arm's calmer waters are ideal for float-tubing and SUP fishing.

The Four Corners' worst-kept secret and one of the highest-rated mountain bike systems in Colorado. Fast, flowing singletrack through piñon-juniper forest, slickrock sections, and the legendary "Rib Cage" — a steep, whoop-de-doop descent that has been known to produce involuntary whooping.

Trails for every level, from mellow loops to the technical Stinking Canyon descent. An annual 12-hour endurance race draws riders from around the country each spring.

Thirty miles of designated OHV trails through the ponderosa pines northwest of Dolores. Open to off-highway vehicles 50 inches wide or less. Trails wind through beautiful aspen and pine forest with camping available along the route. Also popular with hikers and bikers on non-motorized days.

Trailhead access via Forest Road 527 off Hwy 145. Check current closure status before visiting.

One of the only singletrack mountain bike trails inside a national monument in the U.S. The Sand Canyon loop combines fast desert singletrack with awe-inspiring Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings visible right from the trail — essentially a small, close-up Mesa Verde experience on a bike or on foot.

A 39-mile multi-use loop trail constructed by San Juan National Forest and the Four Corners Trail Club. The Aspen Loop connects forest roads through gorgeous high-country terrain and is ideal for 4x4 trucks, ATVs, motorcycles, and horses. Check with the Dolores Public Lands Office for maps and current conditions.

A growing network of trails accessible from Mancos that runs along the historic irrigation aqueduct system. Great for mountain biking and hiking with Mesa Verde National Park as a constant backdrop. An excellent choice for beginners or families wanting a scenic but manageable outing.

Living near Mesa Verde means the park trails are yours to explore on a Tuesday morning when the crowds go home. Petroglyph Point Trail, Prater Ridge Trail, and the Spruce Canyon Trail all offer excellent hiking alongside one of the world's most significant archaeological landscapes. Cliff Palace viewpoints at sunset, yours anytime.

A rocky, rooted, technical mountain bike trail that climbs through the mountain forest above Dolores, with historic sites visible along the route. More challenging and rowdier than Phil's World — a good step up for riders ready for something wilder. After the ride: grab food or beers in Dolores.

The BLM Tres Rios Field Office manages over 600,000 acres of public land in Southwest Colorado — open range for hikers, OHV riders, horseback riders, and dispersed campers. The Canyon of the Ancients National Monument adds another 176,000 acres laced with cultural sites and primitive roads.