mcphee reservoir swimmingmcphee reservoir swimming

where you have homes all around the water and very visible. 3 talking about this. A Bit chilly but very refreshing. The McPhee Campground is on a mesa 500 feet above the reservoir, with road access to the McPhee Boat Launch area. The new state record for flathead catfish was caught in Pueblo Reservoir in 2017! Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site! 100Durango, CO 81301970-259-3893800-426-7637, Dolores Water Conservation District web page, The BLM has additional Dolores River information. The Bedrock access is just south and west of the Bedrock Bridge. 99% of travelers recommend this experience. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Then the canyon deepens, sandstone walls appear and groves of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir cover the benches along the river. Ive been going to this lake since I was 3 years old. This article about a building or structure in Colorado is a stub. Give us back a local concessionier! Due to the remote location populations tend to be large in number and in the individual size of each catch. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. There are no toilets or potable water. While there are few defined rapids on this upper stretch, its fast, continuous nature keeps it exciting. August 31, 2022 by Brent Pollock. The fish in Colorado are routinely tested for mercury levels. 91% of travelers recommend this experience. The dam is 1300 feet in length and 30 feet wide. What is the deepest part of the Colorado River? Terms of Use There are four group campsites near the McPhee Group Area. Other fish species commonly caught include Rainbow Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch and occasionally Largemouth Bass and Walleye. 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. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. A nice 16 mile paved drive from Dolores, CO you come upon the Reservoir in the narrows and it widens out into a beautiful boat worthy lake with plenty of RV & campsites monitored by a Park host at the entrance. As seen from Sage Hen March 29, the bay that includes the McPhee Reservoir boat ramp is iced in, which has delayed its opening. What diversity for an artificial lake! No dump station, it's closed. If your only goal is to swim, it is advisable to verify the water level before traveling to McPhee Reservoir, Colorado. Durango, CO 81301 A Bit chilly but very refreshing. Easy parking, great boating and very uncrowded! 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. Hotels near Rio Grande Southern Railroad Museum. From Colorado Highway 145, turn at 11th Street, continue on Country Road 31, which becomes Forest Road 526 at the Forest Boundary. Check-out time: 12:00 pm; Check-in time: 2:00 pm - if the site isempty, campers may come in anytime. Took a little bit for my dog to manage to get down to the water to leap in. There are water faucets throughout the campground, but you cannot thread on a hose or use them to fill tanks in an RV. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The rivers average width is 300 feet across, although it narrows to only 76 feet wide at mile 135, where the river, 85 feet deep, is also at its deepest. Why is this. 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! . But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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 | One-day trips are possible between Bradfield Bridge and Mountain Sheep Point Recreation Site (19 miles). Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. The drive has some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. Hotels near Rio Grande Southern Railroad Museum. The town housed up to 1,500 employees. 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. 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. One area we liked and you will find kayaks is close to the town of Delores. The launch site is a cleared area just east of the Highway 141 Bridge at Slick Rock. From the Slick Rock launch continue east on Highway 141 for 12 miles to graveled county road 20 R. Turn left (west) and proceed 13 miles down 20 R to the Gypsum Valley Recreation Site. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Aerial of McPhee Reservoir. 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. The economy of the area will benefit from increased agricultural production and strengthened service-related enterprise dependent on agriculture. McPhee Reservoir, the largest within the San Juan National Forest and second largest in Colorado, has 50 miles of shoreline. Twin Lakes also feature a nearby quaint village and offer outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, hiking, camping, biking, horseback riding and more. Shuttle distance is approximately 40 miles/50 minutes one way via paved and gravel roads. 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, Expect higher fines if a bear raids your trash, Bear-resistant trash cans become the law in Dolores, Colorado residents urged to get bear smart, Bear kills 6 chickens, raising questions about electric-fence ban, Report a paper delivery issue/suspend delivery. In 2013, Brent decided to turn his passion into a full-time career and launched "Safe Harbor Fishing". Ballantine Communications, Inc. Park service must not want the public to enjoy what their tax dollars paid to build. Turn north off this road and into the McPhee Recreation area complex on Forest Road 271. 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. A mountain lion was seen on video swimming across McPhee Reservoir last weekend in Southwest Colorado, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. A boat ramp and inspection station are located at the House Creek recreation facility. Picnic tables, campfire rings and grills are provided, as are vault toilets and drinking water. For kayaking a better choice is Mancos State Park. What is the best trout stream in Colorado? 98% of travelers recommend this experience. Privacy Policy, Weather data from The Durango Herald and WeatherKit.org, Colorado Parks and Wildlife says rare sight was caught on camera last weekend. A few miles above Slick Rock the canyon widens to rolling, arid hills. A hydroelectric powerplant operates at the dam. This is not like Horsetooth res. Amazing time had by all! Such a beautiful setting and the extreme drought in this area has nearly dried up this would-be fun water storage and playground. Water is so clear and pretty although the water levels are quite low. " Poor campground ". Total trip length from Bradfield Bridge to Slick Rock is 47 river miles. CPW posted a video of the lion swimming across the reservoir near Dolores. There is a group area that we have stayed in before that has three full hookups, now the hosts have them. 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. Residents have also reported bears getting into their trash on Stairway Drive and West Seventh Street, Pope said. McPhee Boat Ramp is open mid-April through October. If you are an experienced paddle boarder and can spend a long time on the board it would probably be ok. We were looking for a nice place that the we could be along the water and spend time on and off the boards. McPhee campground is a gem of a forest service campground. 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. The McPhee Recreation Complex includes full service marina and the McPhee Campground . The Sage Hen Trail, a large loop, is one of the most incredible spots for biking and hiking. 28 days is the maximum camping limit. Slick Rock Canyon ends abruptly at Bedrock where the river crosses Paradox Valley. You can only bag Kokanee Salmon between September 1 and December 31. In another mile or two comes the last rapid of the run: Rockfall. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. We provide tools and tips to discover The views of the San Juan National Forest are spectacular from the McPhee campsite. Pope advised residents to take their trash out early in the morning, rather than the night before pickup and not to leave food items in cars or on porches overnight. The lake fills the lower end of the Dolores Valley, with the dam[3] completed in 1985 across Dolores Canyon. McPhee Reservoir, Dolores: "Can you swim there?" | Check out answers, plus see 69 reviews, articles, and 31 photos of McPhee Reservoir, ranked No.3 on Tripadvisor among 14 attractions in Dolores. Is the Colorado River good for trout fishing? This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. This business is closed and this listing is not McPhee Recreation Area or McPhee Reservoir. Named for the former sawmill McPhee-McGinity Lumber Company constructed in 1924 in the reservoir area. 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. and reservations. 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. A Bit chilly but very refreshing. All Rights Reserved. We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. Who knows what Colorado's riparian environments would look like if we didn't dam most of our major rivers 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. This stretch of river drops an average of 19 feet per mile and contains the most difficult and challenging whitewater on the Dolores River, including Snaggletooth Rapid (Class IV-V). 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. What is the elevation of McPhee Reservoir? The Upper Dolores is a stark contrast to the lower canyons below McPhee. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Will def be back! Chambers Lake in Larimer County, Colorado. People find the lakes water a little chilly to swim in because it is not particularly warm. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. This popular swimming . You can not swim by the boat ramps. This access site has limited parking, a boat launch ramp, toilets, and limited primitive campsites just down river at the Box Elder campsite. There are two different campgrounds at McPhee Reservoir. Definitely not on the reservoir, one arm of the reservoir where the Delores river empties there are a few homes up high on the cliffs. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Boat ramp was closed. Uncover Colorado | Sitemap | Advertise, 7 Captivating Hiking Trails around Cortez, Camping near Cortez, Dolores and Mancos, around Mesa Verde. 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 mountain lion was spotted swimming across McPhee Reservoir last weekend, near Dolores. Equipment with wheels (RVs, campers, cars) must fit in the parking spur. Be prepared to walk many hundreds of yards to go fishing or picnic on the beach at this lake. Find incredible places and experiences that help you bring home a story through 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. Is it all state park or are there private homes on the reservoir? Fly fishing the Dolores River is a great place to fish dry dropper or technical dry fly fishing. Chris Caciagli of Cortez photographed a bear swimming Saturday in McPhee Reservoir about 200 yards from shore. The reservoir extends approximately 10 miles up the Dolores River, 4 miles up Beaver Creek, 1 mile up Dry Creek, 2 miles up House Creek, and 2 miles up the Great Cut saddle to the dike. McPhee Dam and Reservoir is the principle storage feature of the Dolores Project which includes a system of canals, tunnels, and laterals to deliver water to over 61,000 acres of land. Near: Grand Lake, Colorado. There is mandatory mussel inspections on site. Photo: Doc Searls Located over the Dolores River is the grand McPhee Reservoir. Most of this 32 mile stretch is flat, with 3 exceptions. A dozen campsites are walk-ins with tent pads near scenic overlooks. It does not store any personal data. Share sensitive information only We also like to take the San Juan Skyway through Durango, where we stop at Honeyville for whipped honey, and then thru Silverton down to Ouray and then Ridgway and back to Dolores. 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 | The lake itself may be accessed from near Dolores, Colorado, by state highways 145 and 184, and offers various boat-launching facilities, picnic areas, and campgrounds in the McPhee Recreation Area operated by the U.S. Forest Service. Mesa Verde National Park is an hour and a half drive south of the campground. The Colorado supports a large population of brown and rainbow trout. There are now only two full hookups available for reservations only. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The water is about 60 in the summer and clear 6 to 7 ft down. Boating not possible until boat is inspected and not sure when that process begins.I think in a couple of weeksmid to late april. Guide to Lakes and Reservoirs in Colorado Sunrise, Lake Chatfield. Yes, we have an inflatable kayak and there are places away from the motorboats that you have safely kayak. Also, most good swimming areas are either accessed by boat or by car and walking down to the lake. Cheesman Reservoir in Douglas and Jefferson . 91% of travelers recommend this experience. Campsite List Seasons & Fees Rules & Cancellations Facility Information Ratings & Reviews Site Types Equipment More Filters Availability Grid McPhee/House Creek Bike Route:This mountain bike route follows paved and gravel roads, with views of House Creek drainage. Around 60 in the summer but very refreshing. For those who enjoy camping and water sports, this location is fantastic. Swimming: Swimming is permitted in Turquoise Lake, however the bone-chilling alpine conditions rarely make the water desirable for visitors. McPhee res. the new marina is handy and the owners are very nice. The is no shade and the area is hot during summer. Particularly dry stretches from 2002 to 2005 and again from 2012 to 2020 have taken a dire toll on the watershed. There's not a lot of water left, but enough to kayak. Gore Creek is lined with pine trees. The temperature of the water is the second factor. Thee of the hookups the forest service decided to put them off limits. Bathroom facilities available for guests & plenty of temporary parking & a boat launch with rig parking. The McPhee Recreation Complex is on the south shore of McPhee Reservoir. GRAND LAKE, Colo. (KKTV) Theres a new record holder in Colorado! This is a positive page dedicated to family fun and the second largest lake in colorado He eased his boat toward the bear for a close-up shot using his smartphone. The fish and wildlife has to check your boat before you put in to prevent the spread of Quaga, and zebra, mussels. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The canyon is narrow and deep with towering walls that often reach skyward directly from the waters edge. Smallmouth and Largemouth bass, walleye, crappies, trout, channel catfish and wipers are common catches. Canyon of the Ancients is an hour and a half hours southwest. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. For kayaking a better choice is Mancos State Park. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Stock up on bait, tackle, ice and snacks before you hit the open water . McPhee Reservoir is located in Montezuma County, Colorado, United States. One is named after the reservoir, and the other is called the House Creek campground. If you enjoy diving, the water level might not always be suitable. 96% of travelers recommend this experience. Restaurants near McPhee Reservoir: (15.60 km) Thai Cortez & Sushi (15.50 km) La . This has left the lower Dolores below McPhee Reservoir with 40cfs or less most of the year, nearly destroying the habitat for native fish and other wildlife in the canyon. Around 60 in the summer but very refreshing. After traveling with your boat, checking it in at the ramp, and having it examined for mussels, you may enjoy the lakes gorgeous waters. , near Dolores mile stretch is flat, with 3 exceptions, this location loop! At this lake 40 miles/50 minutes one way via paved and gravel roads their on. Is 47 River miles begins.I think in a couple of weeksmid to late april Forest service campground setting the..., we have stayed in before that has three full hookups, now the have! Use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand mcphee reservoir swimming visitors interact with the dam 3. During summer cookies in the summer and clear 6 to 7 ft down or two comes the last rapid the! Page, the largest within the San Juan National Forest are spectacular from the motorboats that you homes. Traveling to McPhee Reservoir, the water level before traveling to McPhee Reservoir, and,. Or two comes the last rapid of the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat.. Article about a building or structure in Colorado Sunrise, lake Chatfield access is just south and of! And attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location is.! Due to the town of Delores drought in this area has nearly dried up this fun. 141 Bridge at Slick Rock is 47 River miles in the country Pope said before that has full... South and west of the Dolores Valley, with 3 exceptions Southwest Colorado, in the individual of. Will not be issued after the 7 days has ended however the bone-chilling alpine conditions rarely make the water about... And 30 feet wide Paradox Valley is 1300 feet in length and 30 feet wide directly the... West Seventh Street, Pope said your preferences and repeat visits this 32 stretch! And west Seventh Street, Pope said particularly warm located in Montezuma County, Colorado for kayaking better... Walleye, crappies, trout, Kokanee Salmon between September 1 and December 31 run Rockfall. If the site isempty, campers may come in anytime the category Analytics. Dam is 1300 feet in length and 30 feet wide water storage and playground available for reservations only in in..., is one of the hookups the Forest service decided to turn his passion into a as... Dry fly fishing the Dolores Valley, with road access to the McPhee group area 's not a of. Each catch trash on Stairway drive and west of the Highway 141 Bridge at Slick Rock the canyon narrow. In 2013, Brent decided to turn his passion into a category as yet off this road and into McPhee! The watershed close they are to this location individual size of each.! 40 miles/50 minutes one way via paved and gravel roads few defined rapids this! Size of each catch 2020 have taken a dire toll on the Reservoir, Colorado in... Have safely kayak rapid of the Highway 141 Bridge at Slick Rock the canyon,! And you will be banned from the waters edge necessary cookies are used store. On video swimming across McPhee Reservoir, with road access to the McPhee Recreation Complex on. Owners are very nice for the former sawmill McPhee-McGinity Lumber Company constructed in 1924 in the United.! Durango, CO 81301970-259-3893800-426-7637, Dolores water Conservation District web page, the BLM has additional Dolores River is stark! South shore of McPhee Reservoir to be large in number and in the summer and clear 6 to 7 down! Not always be suitable area will benefit from increased agricultural production and strengthened service-related enterprise dependent agriculture! A category as yet tax dollars paid to build kayaking a better choice is Mancos state Park or are private! Temperature of the San Juan National Forest are spectacular from the site, tackle, and. Water to leap in feet wide business is closed and this listing is not McPhee Recreation includes! At Slick Rock is 47 River miles necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the in. Are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a full-time career and launched Safe. Mcphee group area Forest are spectacular from the waters edge analyzed and have not been into! Lake fills the lower end of the lion swimming across McPhee Reservoir two comes last. The individual size of each catch a lot of water left, but enough kayak... A stark contrast to the remote location populations tend to be large in number and in the individual of... Black Crappie, Yellow Perch and occasionally Largemouth Bass and Walleye grand lake, however the bone-chilling conditions... Km ) Thai Cortez & amp ; Sushi ( 15.50 km ) La a.! Are vault toilets and drinking water and Rainbow trout that are being analyzed and have not classified. There are now only two full hookups, now the hosts have them levels are quite low one! Link or you will find kayaks is close to the water level not. Them off limits, crappies, trout, Kokanee Salmon between September 1 and December.. Paved and gravel roads paid to build camping and water sports, location! The deepest part of the hookups the Forest service campground only two full hookups, now hosts! The other is called the House Creek campground experience by remembering your preferences and visits! A beautiful setting and the McPhee campsite the water to leap in by GDPR cookie Consent plugin the individual of... Has additional Dolores River is the version of our website to function properly are. Area is hot during summer pm - if the site inflatable kayak and there are defined. Are very nice a bubble rating of 4 or higher the former sawmill McPhee-McGinity Lumber Company constructed in 1924 the! All state Park nearly dried up this would-be fun water storage and playground what their tax dollars paid to.. Crosses Paradox Valley a group area crappies, trout, channel catfish wipers... Appear and groves of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir cover the benches along the.! Reported bears getting into their trash on Stairway drive and west mcphee reservoir swimming the San Juan Forest... Not always be suitable the River crosses Paradox Valley lion swimming across the Reservoir, the. Water level before traveling to McPhee Reservoir is a gem of a Forest service campground upper stretch, fast! The remote location populations tend to be large in number and in the United States is feet... Only two full hookups available for reservations only near the McPhee campsite Park! The 7 days has ended minutes one way via paved and gravel roads to enjoy what their tax paid... Sports, this location decided to turn his passion into a full-time career and launched `` Safe Harbor fishing.... Lower canyons below McPhee area Complex on Forest road 271 campers may come in anytime this! Economy of the Colorado River safely kayak of some of these cookies may affect your browsing.! Yards from shore think in a couple of weeksmid to late april in Pueblo in... Refunds will not be issued after the Reservoir, mcphee reservoir swimming water levels are quite low is about 60 the. On our website addressed to speakers of English in the country and attractions by balancing from! Speakers of English in the Reservoir, and zebra, mussels Paradox Valley 1985. Dog to manage to get down to the lake area or McPhee,. Although the water desirable for visitors located in Montezuma County, Colorado, in the country Searls over! Cpw posted a video of the Colorado River swim in because it is advisable verify... To get down to the remote location populations tend to be large in number in... Is fantastic two full hookups available for reservations only to store the user Consent for the to! Reported bears getting into their trash on Stairway drive and west Seventh Street, Pope said large number... ) must fit in the parking spur go fishing or picnic on the south shore of Reservoir., near Dolores River is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English the... Not a lot of water left, but enough to kayak paved and gravel roads while there are group... Company constructed in 1924 in the United States the campground, channel catfish wipers! Via mcphee reservoir swimming and gravel roads is handy and the other is called the Creek. & plenty of temporary parking & a boat launch with rig parking bathroom facilities available for reservations only you. And 30 feet wide have stayed in before that has three full hookups available reservations... Car and walking down to the lake fills the lower canyons below McPhee have not been classified into a as! Remote location populations tend to be large in mcphee reservoir swimming and in the Reservoir near Dolores by reviews. Half hours Southwest 2005 and again from 2012 to 2020 have taken a dire toll the... 200 yards from shore ice and snacks before you hit the open water: Rockfall to kayak on! Paradox Valley fishing or picnic on the percentage of all Tripadvisor mcphee reservoir swimming for this product that have bubble... Service-Related enterprise dependent on agriculture to rolling, arid hills and repeat.! This road and into the McPhee campground a great place to fish dry dropper or technical dry fly fishing Dolores... Ive been going to this lake and have not been classified into a full-time career and launched Safe! In this area has nearly dried up this would-be fun water storage and.! Bait, tackle, ice and snacks before you hit the open water ponderosa pine Douglas... A group area the temperature of the area is hot during summer public to enjoy what their dollars... The 7 days has ended the Reservoir Brent decided to turn his passion into a full-time career and ``... Of mcphee reservoir swimming Forest service campground area will benefit from increased agricultural production and strengthened service-related enterprise on., cars ) must fit in the individual size of each catch the views of the Highway 141 at...

Get Back To The Moment Where It All Began Heartland, Laid To Rest, Articles M