The extremes of climate change are very evident here. Privacy Policy, Weather data from The Durango Herald and WeatherKit.org. Other fish species commonly caught include Rainbow Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch and occasionally Largemouth Bass and Walleye. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. Most specially regulated trout waters are closed to taking fishbait and baitfish at all times. Water is so clear and pretty although the water levels are quite low. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. This is private property and you will need to pay for parking (if it is even open). Yes. We were hoping to spend a family day with the kids paddle boarding. This was a great spot to view wildlife and sit in the peace and quiet. You can only bag Kokanee Salmon between September 1 and December 31. McPhee Reservoir is located in Montezuma County, Colorado, United States. Stateline (or Chicken Raper) Rapid is a LONG, bony Class IV that sneaks up on you. There are few regulations governing fishing you may enjoy fishing from a boat or while relaxing on the lakeshore. Pion-juniper, yucca, cactus, and various shrubs are predominant. | Recreation.gov! Visitors enjoy the area for its boating, water skiing and fishing opportunities. Also, most good swimming areas are either accessed by boat or by car and walking down to the lake. Paved lakefront roads compete with nearby hills and mountain trails. Easy parking, great boating and very uncrowded! where you have homes all around the water and very visible. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Visitors enjoy the area for its boating, water skiing and fishing opportunities. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. 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. Day went by too fast! Restaurants near McPhee Reservoir: (15.60 km) Thai Cortez & Sushi (15.50 km) La . if youre concerned about temperature drops in the water, be sure and bring an insulated swimming outfit, like a thermal , Know Where Youre Wading Scout Ahead. The campground offers group and single-family sites, some of which have electric hookups. McPhee campground WAS a wonderful place to camp, but now the hosts have all the full hookups. 37.5103765, -108.5604582 Open in Google Maps Elevation 6929 ft. (2112 m.) About Formed by damming the Dolores River, 12.9 km (8 mi) NW of Dolores. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. The nature of McPhee Reservoir, Colorado, is ideal for hiking as the trails are long enough and elevated. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. " Poor campground " Sep 2021 (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). 96% of travelers recommend this experience. 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. 96% of travelers recommend this experience. The McPhee Recreation Complex includes full service marina and the McPhee Campground . This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. McPhee is the second largest lake in Colorado, with 50-plus miles of shoreline. 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. Many guests were there & enjoying the Summer breezes, fishing & boating. Boating not possible until boat is inspected and not sure when that process begins.I think in a couple of weeksmid to late april. The reservoir is very pretty and very quiet during the weekday and we enjoyed a couple of hours there. First, the bears came down from the hills for the food. Sloping canyon walls covered with oakbrush and other shrubs characterize the first few miles of river below Bradfield Bridge. The bear was about a half mile north of the main dock at McPhee, Caciagli said, and . It's just gone to hell. Learn more about gear rental options for your trip. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Please be a good neighbor and limituse of generators to no more than one hour at a time. We provide tools and tips to discover " Poor campground " Sep 2021 Southwestern Colorado, part of the Four Corners region, contains more than 4,000 archaeological sites and more than 600 cliff dwellings. new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, There are no strict regulations, many facilities, and great weather. There's not a lot of water left, but enough to kayak. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. A Bit chilly but very refreshing. Is it all state park or are there private homes on the reservoir? Check with local outfitters to find out whats hatching, but nymph and streamer fishing are typically the most productive way to hook into these large fish. All Rights Reserved. Recreation.gov is your gateway to explore America's outdoor We were just touring the Durango area so were not camping or had a boat, but it was a great place to stop and enjoy a picnic. The Gunnison River is special because it includes a section in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Also, most good swimming areas are either accessed by boat or by car and walking down to the lake. Stock up on bait, tackle, ice and snacks before you hit the open water . Smallmouth and Largemouth bass, walleye, crappies, trout, channel catfish and wipers are common catches. Multiple lines exist, but this rapid is very continuous for over a mile. Yes, we have an inflatable kayak and there are places away from the motorboats that you have safely kayak. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. The paved roads make traveling easier. Why is this. People find the lakes water a little chilly to swim in because it is not particularly warm. Find incredible places and experiences that help you bring home a story through Taking a massive space of around 4,470 surface acres, this is indeed one of Colorado's lakes. McPhee Reservoir, Dolores: See 69 reviews, articles, and 31 photos of McPhee Reservoir, ranked No.3 on Tripadvisor among 12 attractions in Dolores. There is no potable water at this site. One area we liked and you will find kayaks is close to the town of Delores. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. There is a group area that we have stayed in before that has three full hookups, now the hosts have them. Where is the best fishing in Colorado right now? connected to the .gov website. I'm glad we did. A dozen campsites are walk-ins with tent pads near scenic overlooks. Named for the former sawmill McPhee-McGinity Lumber Company constructed in 1924 in the reservoir area. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Adventurist, to get outdoors news sent . In another mile or two comes the last rapid of the run: Rockfall. Photo: Doc Searls Located over the Dolores River is the grand McPhee Reservoir. The fish in Colorado are routinely tested for mercury levels. 91% of travelers recommend this experience. Had a great 'day at the lake'! website belongs to an official government organization in the The water is about 60 in the summer and clear 6 to 7 ft down. An alternate put-in is in Big Gypsum Valley, 14 miles downriver or 25 road miles from Slick Rock. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. With a six-lane boat ramp, panoramic views for hikers, paved and gravel bike routes, and even a marina, you should just click to book it right now. Give us back a local concessionier! McPhee Reservoir is named for McPhee, Colorado, a company town founded by the New Mexico Lumber Company that is now submerged under the reservoir. , Best Answer From Peter in Australia: A hook will rust away in a fish, but it may take a while, especially if the hook is plated or made of thick metal. Doc's Marina was excellent and the boat he rented us was perfect! Chatfield Reservoir in Chatfield State Park. Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Table of Contents show . One area we liked and you will find kayaks is close to the town of Delores. The water surface area totals 4,470 acres at the top of the active capacity at an elevation of 6924.0 feet. McPhee Reservoir can hold up to 381,000 acre-feet when full at 6,924 ft in elevation. 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. Snaggletooth Rapid (Class IV-V) is located about eight miles below the Mountain Sheep Point Recreation Site near mile 27. Please cooperate with the owners. Trip length is 50 river miles or 36 river miles from Gypsum Valley to Bedrock. Is it all state park or are there private homes on the reservoir? 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. McPhee is approximately 4 hours and 11 minutes away from Albuquerque International Airport while Grand Junction is the closest option at about 3 hours and 30 minutes away. 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. There are now only two full hookups available for reservations only. Beautiful reservoir, good fishing. 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. You can not swim by the boat ramps. 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. This is not like Horsetooth res. Privacy Policy, Weather data from The Durango Herald and WeatherKit.org, Colorado Parks and Wildlife says rare sight was caught on camera last weekend. Standard single site occupancy is 8, but a single family with > 8 members is acceptable. A Bit chilly but very refreshing. Below Snaggletooth, the canyon becomes drier and the vegetation begins to change to that of Upper Sonoran life zone. Now, they seem to be coming for the drink. This country road is just off 184 west (which is off 145). We got out and walked on the dock. This business is closed and this listing is not McPhee Recreation Area or McPhee Reservoir. Cortez is 12 miles to the south and Telluride is 65 miles to the north along Highway 145. McPhee Reservoir is situated in Montezuma County, Colorado, in the United States. Walleye, Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Trout, Crappie, Northern Pike, Perch, and Kokanee Salmon are some of the fish you may catch when fishing at McPhee Reservoir in Colorado. One-day trips are possible between Bradfield Bridge and Mountain Sheep Point Recreation Site (19 miles). Chris Caciagli, of Cortez, encountered the bear Saturday as he was boating in the reservoir. Facilities include a launch ramp, parking, picnic tables, grills, and shelters. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. McPhee/House Creek Bike Route:This mountain bike route follows paved and gravel roads, with views of House Creek drainage. Such a beautiful setting and the extreme drought in this area has nearly dried up this would-be fun water storage and playground. Hotels near Rio Grande Southern Railroad Museum. Ive seen a few negative posts on here about it having low water, or having a lot of algae, but honestly, what could be done to prevent that? This is an excellent lake for numerous activities. Who said cats dont like water?. The Sage Hen Trail, a large loop, is one of the most incredible spots for biking and hiking. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. | There is mandatory mussel inspections on site. Every turn exposes beautiful shoreline. This nasty pin spot has caused many an unplanned layover to get raft(s) unstuck off the fang rock. The Bradfield Recreation Site offers campsites, toilets, potable water, and a gravel-surfaced parking area and boat launch ramp. McPhee Reservoir, Dolores: Address, Phone Number, McPhee Reservoir Reviews: 4/5. Grand Lake. The Bedrock access is just south and west of the Bedrock Bridge. It does not store any personal data. Chris Caciagli, of Cortez, photographed a bear swimming Saturday in McPhee Reservoir about 200 yards from shore. The water is about 60 in the summer and clear 6 to 7 ft down. McPhee Reservoir is situated in Montezuma County, Colorado, in the United States. Map Information, Know Before You Go: Regulations, Outdoor Safety and More, San Juan National ForestHeadquarters Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. 28 days is the maximum camping limit. Thee of the hookups the forest service decided to put them off limits. Please keep the campground clean and packout any trash! Clear Creek Reservoir in Chaffee County, Colorado. The McPhee Recreation Complex is on the south shore of McPhee Reservoir. We rented a boat and split the cost. Kayaks is close to the north along Highway 145 the United States miles ), Dolores Address! Yucca, cactus, and a gravel-surfaced parking area and boat launch ramp, parking, picnic,... And clear 6 to 7 ft down wildlife and sit in the Reservoir if it is McPhee... ; Sushi ( 15.50 km ) Thai Cortez & amp ; Sushi ( km. And baitfish at all times storage and playground with your consent and this listing is particularly. Caciagli, of Cortez, encountered the bear was about a half mile north of the Bedrock.. 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