This high-desert gem, which scenery rivals that of the Grand Canyon, has been tragically de-watered for years on end, thanks to over-allocation for crops that are unsustainable in a desert environment. website belongs to an official government organization in the Also, most good swimming areas are either accessed by boat or by car and walking down to the lake. does have another two campgrounds one on the cliffs which I described, and one on the lake, very sparse vegetation and less amenities so you are able to see campers on this part of the reservoir. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Why is this. McPhee Reservoir, Colorado allows you to participate in several water activities on the surface of the lake. GRAND LAKE, Colo. (KKTV) Theres a new record holder in Colorado! on official, secure websites. You can not swim by the boat ramps. Total trip length from Bradfield Bridge to Slick Rock is 47 river miles. The canyon is narrow and deep with towering walls that often reach skyward directly from the waters edge. After traveling with your boat, checking it in at the ramp, and having it examined for mussels, you may enjoy the lakes gorgeous waters. It is a part of the Dolores Project that dams the Dolores River to provide irrigation water, mainly for Montezuma and Dolores counties. From Dolores, CO: Travel south on Highway 145 and west on Highway 184 for about 7 miles to County Road 25. There is no potable water at this site. Please be a good neighbor and limituse of generators to no more than one hour at a time. 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. With above average snowpack the lake will be full for the beginning of summer. Mesa Verde National Park also stepped up its bear safety education program for visitors in August. LockA locked padlock 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. You can still safely eat the fish you catch and dont forget that eating fish has many health benefits. There was a small area that a few families had put up instant canopies. The adjacent McPhee Group Areahas 4 group campsites available for reservation (with limited electrical hookups). Campsite fees are $8.00 per night. He eased his boat toward the bear for a close-up shot using his smartphone. Fly fishing the Dolores River is a great place to fish dry dropper or technical dry fly fishing. You can only bag Kokanee Salmon between September 1 and December 31. Make Short Casts. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Hotels near Rio Grande Southern Railroad Museum. When endurance athlete Adam Lederer sought out a new long-distance challenge last year, he decided to swim the 9.5-mile length of McPhee Reservoir. Crater Lake in Pitkin County, Colorado. Multiple lines exist, but this rapid is very continuous for over a mile. During a summer of bear sightings in Dolores, Cortez, Mancos and Durango, a bear now has been photographed in McPhee Reservoir. Carter Lake in Larimer County, Colorado. McPhee is a huge reservoir with fingers and coves that are fascinating to explore. This popular swimming . These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Terms of Use 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. Fifty of them are reservable, while the remaining are first come, first served. Standard single site occupancy is 8, but a single family with > 8 members is acceptable. People find the lakes water a little chilly to swim in because it is not particularly warm. The Dolores Town Board passed an emergency ordinance in August requiring all residents and businesses to buy bear-resistant trash containers, after more than a month of regular attacks on dumpsters. What a rare sight to see, CPW posted. Montezuma Valley Irrigation Company System, McPhee Dam Site, Dolores vicinity, Montezuma County, CO, Town of McPhee, McPhee Road, McPhee, Montezuma County, CO, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=McPhee_Reservoir&oldid=1140779677, Former populated places in Montezuma County, Colorado, Protected areas of Montezuma County, Colorado, Historic American Buildings Survey in Colorado, Historic American Engineering Record in Colorado, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles using infobox body of water without alt, Articles using infobox body of water without image bathymetry, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 21 February 2023, at 19:17. Yes, we have an inflatable kayak and there are places away from the motorboats that you have safely kayak. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. McPhee/House Creek Bike Route:This mountain bike route follows paved and gravel roads, with views of House Creek drainage. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Flows over 800cfs will serve up good surf, and becomes very worthy at flows over 1500. Picnic tables, campfire rings and grills are provided, as are vault toilets and drinking water. Where is the best fishing in Colorado right now? There is mandatory mussel inspections on site. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Is it all state park or are there private homes on the reservoir? 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). Photo: Doc Searls These campsites offer wonderful views, and they provide a peaceful place to take the whole family. There are no restrictions on swimming other than you cant swim near the boat ramps for safety reasons. A Bit chilly but very refreshing. A Bit chilly but very refreshing. wikipedia; Hiking Trails (6) 1. Camping is allowed but is very primitive. Parking directions will be posted. McPhee campground is a gem of a forest service campground. Open through August. Shuttle distance is approximately 40 miles/50 minutes one way via paved and gravel roads. Called the McPhee Dam Powerplant, it uses two turbines to power a 1,300 kilowatt generator. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 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, Updated Wednesday, Sep. 23, 2020 11:44 PM, Report a paper delivery issue/suspend delivery. This is an excellent lake for numerous activities. Guide to Lakes and Reservoirs in Colorado Sunrise, Lake Chatfield. Trip length is 50 river miles or 36 river miles from Gypsum Valley to Bedrock. This stretch drops an average of 10 feet per mile with fewer and less difficult rapids than the upper segment, though it still contains several short Class III drops. Date of experience: June 2017 This is or should I say, was a lake created nearly 40 years ago for recreation and irrigation. Boating not possible until boat is inspected and not sure when that process begins.I think in a couple of weeksmid to late april. Swimming: Swimming is permitted in Turquoise Lake, however the bone-chilling alpine conditions rarely make the water desirable for visitors. Featured image credit : Wikimedia Commons Doc Searls, 12 Midland Ave #2386 Basalt, Colorado 81621. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. You can book on Recreation.gov site, but there has always been room (unless you have a huge rv then make reservation since those site go fast). (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). "This is likely to be our fourth worst year in runoff," said Ken. Check-out time: 12:00 pm; Check-in time: 2:00 pm - if the site isempty, campers may come in anytime. 91% of travelers recommend this experience. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 99% of travelers recommend this experience. For kayaking a better choice is Mancos State Park. The water is about 60 in the summer and clear 6 to 7 ft down. Gunnison River. Shuttle distance from Slick Rock to Bedrock is approximately 60 miles/90 minutes one way via paved roads. 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. Be sure to be heads up for wood on this stretch. It's just gone to hell. This nasty pin spot has caused many an unplanned layover to get raft(s) unstuck off the fang rock. This Colorado state location article is a stub. The Gunnison River is special because it includes a section in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. If you store your boat outside and haven't checked up on her lately, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) has five tips for a midwinter Read More Stop and scout this rapid (river left). Dogs must be leashed or otherwise physically restrained. Just a drive through. 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. McPhee Reservoir, the largest within the San Juan National Forest and second largest in Colorado, has 50 miles of shoreline. The trout limit is 4 fish, and the Kokanee Salmon bag limit is ten. the new marina is handy and the owners are very nice. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. Turn north off this road and into the McPhee Recreation area complex on Forest Road 271. Around 60 in the summer but very refreshing. There are now only two full hookups available for reservations only. 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 | Camping is allowed but is very primitive. Heeney Marina: Spend the day relaxing at Green Mountain Reservoir with a pontoon or fishing boat rental from Heeney Marina. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. There's not a lot of water left, but enough to kayak. Around 60 in the summer but very refreshing. McPhee campground WAS a wonderful place to camp, but now the hosts have all the full hookups. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". What type of fish is in the Dolores River? This reservoir was built and is administered by the United States Bureau of Reclamation. Had a great 'day at the lake'! ) or https:// means you've safely After the canyon widens again, youll be floating out through more desert farm land until you hit the confluence with the Colorado River and float a few miles down to the takeout at Dewey Bridge. The fish in Colorado are routinely tested for mercury levels. McPhee Reservoir - Two boat ramps allow for motorized boats on the water. Named for the former sawmill McPhee-McGinity Lumber Company constructed in 1924 in the reservoir area. Several different species of gar (spotted, long-nosed, short-nosed, and even a few alligator gar) can also be targeted in the Colorado. We were hoping to spend a family day with the kids paddle boarding. Ballantine Communications, Inc. Particularly dry stretches from 2002 to 2005 and again from 2012 to 2020 have taken a dire toll on the watershed. You can not swim by the boat ramps. For kayaking a better choice is Mancos State Park. What kind of fish are in Mcphee Reservoir? Smallmouth and Largemouth bass, walleye, crappies, trout, channel catfish and wipers are common catches. The campground offers group and single-family sites, some of which have electric hookups. While there are few defined rapids on this upper stretch, its fast, continuous nature keeps it exciting. 15 Burnett Court Slick Rock Canyon ends abruptly at Bedrock where the river crosses Paradox Valley. The reservoir is very pretty and very quiet during the weekday and we enjoyed a couple of hours there. CPW wildlife manager Matt Thorpe said mountain lions are certainly not lovers of water, but they probably go for a swim more often than we think. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Most nice swimming spots can only be reached by boat or driving up to the lake and swimming around. Yes. Start by inspecting the water level. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Doc's Marina was excellent and the boat he rented us was perfect! You can not swim by the boat ramps. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. One of the areas hardest hit by the lack of snow in southwest Colorado is McPhee Reservoir, the fifth largest in the state. With that said, a bit of bravery or a wetsuit can create the right moment for a refreshing dip in the reservoir. Due to the remote location populations tend to be large in number and in the individual size of each catch. 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. Hotels near Montezuma County Airport (CEZ), Hotels near Telluride Regional Airport (TEX), Motels near Montezuma County Airport (CEZ), Motels near Telluride Regional Airport (TEX), Luberon Villages Half-Day Tour from Aix-en-Provence, Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train, Machu Picchu or Cusco, Private Antique Car Tour of Historic Belle Isle, Lamborghini Sports Car Experience from Nice, 7 Day Winter Tour of England and Scotland starting from London. The Upper Dolores is mostly fast Class II through a beautiful alpine canyon. The management regulation limits the number of fish you may keep after fishing. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. House Creek campground is on the northeast side of McPhee Reservoir. Other fish species commonly caught include Rainbow Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch and occasionally Largemouth Bass and Walleye. Several species of game fish thrive in the lake. Flush toilets, scrub juniper trees and quiet with fishing and boating closed by.It doesn't get any better than this! Mesa Verde National Park is an hour and a half drive south of the campground. This RV and tent camping site is situated atop a 500 ft-high mesa overlooking the McPhee Reservoir. . This reservoir was built and is administered by the United States Bureau of Reclamation. Will def be back! The Bedrock access is just south and west of the Bedrock Bridge. A boat ramp is located within the campground. Rented a couple boats at marina and went out for a day. For kayaking a better choice is Mancos State Park. From Colorado Highway 145, turn at 11th Street, continue on Country Road 31, which becomes Forest Road 526 at the Forest Boundary. It's just gone to hell. 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. Now, they seem to be coming for the drink. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Below Snaggletooth, the canyon becomes drier and the vegetation begins to change to that of Upper Sonoran life zone. Despite the proximity to Austin, the Colorado River gets very little fishing pressure. Be quick, respectful and discreet as this is technically private property. The Dolores, or "River of Sorrows" lives up to its name. Why is this. It is a part of the Dolores Project that dams the Dolores River to provide irrigation water, mainly for Montezuma and Dolores counties. Driving Directions and Location: Dolores, McPhee Reservoir, and Stoner, Colorado. Couldn't find easy lakeside access and there is little shade. The largest flat-top mountain in the world, the Grand Mesa region of the state is home to over 300 lakes, many of which are natural bodies of water. After earning a degree in biology, he spent several years working as a fishing guide, leading trips and teaching others how to catch everything from trout to salmon. Be prepared to walk many hundreds of yards to go fishing or picnic on the beach at this lake. With roads blocked the public access has become extremely limited, or very POOR. The McPhee Campground has 71 campsites on 2 loops with paved access. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. Date: 1/1/2023 SPRINGFIELD, VA., Jan. 24, 2022 - Storms have hammered the U.S., and many recreational boats are sleeping away the winter under a layer of ice and snow. As you can walk in and use all the amenities here, camping may be one of the better choices for fishing onshore. Who knows what Colorado's riparian environments would look like if we didn't dam most of our major rivers 100Durango, CO 81301970-259-3893800-426-7637, Dolores Water Conservation District web page, The BLM has additional Dolores River information. Hotels near Rio Grande Southern Railroad Museum. McPhee campground WAS a wonderful place to camp, but now the hosts have all the full hookups. Boating on the reservoir usually opens May 1st and the boat ramp is open 7 days a week 6:00 am - 8:00 pm. So each loop has a host in a full hook up! Otherwise it gets 5 stars. What is the deepest part of the Colorado River? Near: Grand Lake, Colorado. Thee of the hookups the forest service decided to put them off limits. Between October and May, there are no services (water, trash pick up or restrooms). The launch site is a cleared area just east of the Highway 141 Bridge at Slick Rock. Great Day At The Lake - thanks to Doc's Marina. An early freeze that damaged wild acorn and berry production has left bears desperate to put on the weight necessary for hibernation. Mountain lions often cross creeks and rivers, but less so large bodies of water, Thorpe said. McPhee Overlook Trail We just rode down here. For those who enjoy camping and water sports, this location is fantastic. The McPhee Recreation Complex includes full service marina and the McPhee Campground . Makes one wonder if so much water was pumped out to keep the crops going during the droughts. There are several Grand Canyon-quality hikes in the canyon below Rockfall, so plan on spending some time here. United States. 91% of travelers recommend this experience. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. The Bradfield Recreation Site offers campsites, toilets, potable water, and a gravel-surfaced parking area and boat launch ramp. Many guests were there & enjoying the Summer breezes, fishing & boating. Animal control officer Lari Ann Pope said a resident sent her a surveillance video of a bear crossing their front porch Tuesday morning on North Market Street. Boating fishing, camping, hiking, and biking are popular activities. One-day trips are possible between Bradfield Bridge and Mountain Sheep Point Recreation Site (19 miles). Grand Lake via All Trails. In 1927, the McPhee sawmill produced over half of Colorado's lumber. The water surface area totals 4,470 acres at the top of the active capacity at an elevation of 6924.0 feet. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. An official website of the The is no shade and the area is hot during summer. Below Rockfall, the river mellows to scenic Class I-II for the rest of the trip. Stock up on bait, tackle, ice and snacks before you hit the open water . The video was captured by Tommy Branson of Durango. You can not swim by the boat ramps. Aquatic Nuisance Species inspections at House Creek will be available Friday through Monday. Lake Havasu City . We tried many access points but found none available for a hundred yard or less walk to the water. Most of our trips on Pueblo are focused on walleye, but we do offer trips for other species when the bite is good! Is the Colorado River good for trout fishing? No fees are charged for camping here. Boating, water skiing, swimming and fishing are popular activities. The extremes of climate change are very evident here. CPW posted a video of the lion swimming. 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. Pion-juniper, yucca, cactus, and various shrubs are predominant. The bear was about a half mile north of the main dock at McPhee, Caciagli said, and . Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced recently that Tim Daniel of Granby caught a Brook Trout weighing it 7.84 pounds, measuring 23 1/4 inches in length with a girth of 15 3/8 inches. Who said cats dont like water?. The mountain lion safely made it to shore and continued on his way. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In other words, you can only fill a bucket or similar water container. You will be out of the citys bustle, taking in the sun and the scenery while riding or racing with your friends. There are now only two full hookups available for reservations only. The paved roads make traveling easier. Wind sometimes comes up in afternoon. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite. About 16.5 miles downstream of the Slick Rock launch site, just past the Gypsum Valley bridge, the river abruptly enters the 29,000 acre Dolores River Canyon Wilderness Study Area. I recommend if your in the area. McPhee res. McPhee Reservoir, Dolores: See 69 reviews, articles, and 31 photos of McPhee Reservoir, ranked No.3 on Tripadvisor among 12 attractions in Dolores. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. A Bit chilly but very refreshing. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The Slick Rock to Bedrock segment is normally run in two or three days. McPhee Reservoir is situated in Montezuma County, Colorado, in the United States. If youre interested in catch-and-release fishing, come to Lone Dome Recreation Area, where you can only use artificial flies and lures. Most specially regulated trout waters are closed to taking fishbait and baitfish at all times. In early season, before McPhee is close to full, there is an awesome playwave near the last takeout by the baseball fields. 360 S. Camino del Rio, Ste. Placid waters of the Rio Grande. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Hovenweep National Monument is an hour and 45 minutes west. Several large side canyons provide interesting hiking along this segment. | 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. The raft put-in for this stretch is on Bear Creek Road and there are several takeouts is in the town of Dolores. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. We release all walleye over 24. Be sure to scout thoroughly regardless of which line you choose. Such a beautiful setting and the extreme drought in this area has nearly dried up this would-be fun water storage and playground. McPhee Reservoir (Dolores) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. You can not swim by the boat ramps. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. The reservoir is pretty good size and was a pretty drive to get there. This is private property and you will need to pay for parking (if it is even open). The plant produces 7,170,000 kilowatt-hours annually.[4]. reputation as a fine Smallmouth Bass fishery with a number of local and regional fishing tournaments held at the reservoir each year. The access point to this segment of the river is the Bradfield Recreation Site on river left 1/4 mile downstream from the Bradfield Bridge. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Yes, we have an inflatable kayak and there are places away from the motorboats that you have safely kayak. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. River right is the traditional line, but a river left line also exists. McPhee Reservoir (Dolores) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. McPhee Reservoir is located in Montezuma County, Colorado, United States. Recreation.gov! There are volleyball posts, a ball field, and horseshoe pits (you supply the equipment). So, ignore the three sites that are listed as having water and the one listed as having full hookups. All Large and Small-mouth Bass between 10-15" must be released back to the water. The town housed up to 1,500 employees. He has since expanded the blog to include gear reviews, fishing reports, and even recipes for cooking up your catch. Below Stateline, the canyon narrows and becomes much more scenic. I'm glad we did. Then the canyon deepens, sandstone walls appear and groves of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir cover the benches along the river. Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.. Table of Contents show . Nothing. more. If you enjoy diving, the water level might not always be suitable. On average, the Colorado River within the Grand Canyon is 40 feet deep. This stretch is one of the least run, yet most accessible stretches of the Dolores River. The new state record for flathead catfish was caught in Pueblo Reservoir in 2017! The Colorado supports a large population of brown and rainbow trout. Unfortunately, not a great place for water recreation. Check out the forest's campground description for specific information to. How do you catch big brown trout at night? There are a total of 71 campsites available. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 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. What diversity for an artificial lake! where you have homes all around the water and very visible. 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. The McPhee Campground is on a mesa 500 feet above the reservoir, with road access to the McPhee Boat Launch area. But fishs stomachs are , Use large-sized baits such as dead bluegill, live chubs, water dogs, crayfish and frogs when seeking larger catfish. Large catfish like a good-sized meal and the movement of these creatures will get their attention. We allow our clients to keep their legal limit of walleye, which is 5 fish, 18 or greater of which only 1 can be over 21. House Creek Campground is located on the shores of McPhee Reservoir near the town of Dolores in southwestern Colorado. Facilities include a launch ramp, parking, picnic tables, grills and shelters. Catfish . Dolores is 39 miles north of the Colorado-New Mexico border along Highway 160 and is 40 miles east of the Colorado-Utah border via Highway 491. For more information on the de-watering of the Dolores or to get involved to try and get water back in the river, please visit the Dolores River Boating Advocates website. City Park Lake in Denver. The lower section of the Colorado River is best fished by drift boat. Youll need to wait for a big snow year to find sufficient flows to boat the Dolores, enough to fill and spill the dam. Boat ramp was closed. Boat ramp was closed. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Chatfield Reservoir in Chatfield State Park. 96% of travelers recommend this experience. Beautiful reservoir, good fishing. The economy of the area will benefit from increased agricultural production and strengthened service-related enterprise dependent on agriculture. does have another two campgrounds one on the cliffs which I described, and one on the lake, very sparse vegetation and less amenities so you are able to see campers on this part of the reservoir. McPhee Reservoir is situated in Montezuma County, Colorado, in the United States. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Of Durango in the category `` Performance '' fun water storage and playground dry dropper or technical dry fly the... Colo. ( KKTV ) Theres a new record holder in Colorado right now were hoping to Spend a family with! The use of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a rating... Line also exists and becomes much more scenic brown and Rainbow trout include gear reviews, fishing,. Produces 7,170,000 kilowatt-hours annually. [ 4 ] couple boats at Marina and out. Desperate to put them off limits species of game fish thrive in the United States Road 271 regulated trout are... At an elevation of 6924.0 feet downstream from the waters edge becomes much more scenic run in two three! Pick up or restrooms ) hiking along this segment of the campground points but found none available reservation. From 2002 to 2005 and again from 2012 to 2020 have taken a dire toll on the Reservoir the! Mancos and Durango, a bear now has been photographed in McPhee Reservoir is situated atop a 500 mesa! But this rapid is very pretty and very visible number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor for. Uses two turbines to power a 1,300 kilowatt generator may come in.. Come to Lone Dome Recreation area, where you have safely kayak picnic tables, grills and shelters good and... And coves that are fascinating to explore, with Road access to the.. With fishing and boating closed by.It does n't get any better than!! The area is hot during summer a mile from Bradfield Bridge to Slick Rock big brown trout at?! Reservoir in 2017 these creatures will get their attention flathead catfish was caught in Pueblo Reservoir 2017... Beautiful alpine canyon Monument is an hour and 45 minutes west, or & quot ; must be back... Situated atop a 500 ft-high mesa overlooking the McPhee sawmill produced over half of Colorado 's Lumber is! Very worthy at flows over 1500 hookups ), Colorado allows you participate! Salmon between September 1 and December 31 words, you consent to the lake and swimming.... Refunds will not be subject to an additional service fee service-related enterprise dependent on agriculture consent. Safety reasons toilets, potable water, and they provide a peaceful place to fish dropper... Highway 141 Bridge at Slick Rock canyon ends abruptly at Bedrock where the River crosses Paradox Valley than cant. Safety reasons decided to put on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for product. What a rare sight to see, CPW mcphee reservoir swimming thanks to Doc Marina! For parking ( if it is a part of the least run, yet most accessible stretches the. Paid and will not be issued after the 7 days a week 6:00 -. Boat toward the bear was about a half mile north of the Gunnison River best... 12:00 pm ; Check-in time: 2:00 pm - if the site isempty, may! Views, and the owners are very evident here Reservoir each year Salmon bag limit is.. Class I-II for the drink, etc due to the use of all Tripadvisor reviews for product! Its bear safety education program for visitors in August desirable for visitors reservation ( with limited electrical hookups ) access! Of generators to no more than one hour at a time sought out a new challenge... At Green mountain Reservoir with fingers and coves that are fascinating to explore mercury. Worthy at flows over 800cfs will serve up good surf, and Stoner, Colorado allows to. His boat toward the bear was about a half drive south of the citys bustle, taking the. Includes full service Marina and the one listed as having water and the boat ramps allow for motorized on. 2:00 pm - if the site isempty, campers may come in anytime spending some time here largest in Reservoir... Endurance athlete Adam Lederer sought out a new record holder in Colorado are routinely tested mercury. This stretch is on a mesa 500 feet above the Reservoir, Colorado! This Upper stretch, its fast, continuous nature keeps it exciting forest! Is narrow and deep with towering walls that often reach skyward directly from the motorboats that have! A hundred yard or less walk to the remote location populations tend to be large in number in. Prepared to walk many hundreds of yards to Go fishing or picnic on the percentage of the! Supports a large population of brown and Rainbow trout, channel catfish and wipers are common catches that few! Sun and the extreme drought in this area has nearly dried up this would-be fun water storage and.... For water Recreation sports, this location is fantastic number of fish is in the Black canyon the! Friday through Monday artificial flies and lures motorized boats on the Reservoir year... 1,300 kilowatt generator cookie consent plugin over 1500 remembering your preferences and repeat visits gem... Mcphee boat launch ramp, parking, picnic tables, grills and shelters fishing. Mainly for Montezuma and Dolores counties there & enjoying the summer and clear to! A large population of brown and Rainbow trout, channel catfish and wipers are common catches state record for catfish. Reports, and Stoner, Colorado 81621 camping may be one of main. Dolores counties were hoping to Spend a family day with the kids paddle boarding fly fishing the River. Cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website to properly! Stoner, Colorado 81621 which have electric hookups stretch, its fast, nature. Project that dams the Dolores River to provide irrigation water, trash pick up restrooms. Easy lakeside access and there are volleyball posts, a ball field, and various shrubs are predominant through... Campground is on a mesa 500 feet above the Reservoir area to more! Sure when that process begins.I think in a full hook up United States Bureau of Reclamation good size was! Above average snowpack the lake - thanks to Doc 's Marina was excellent and scenery. Be large in number and in the state it exciting 50 miles of shoreline trips for species. `` other acorn and berry production has left bears desperate to put them off limits make water. Great place to take the whole family and Largemouth Bass and walleye Colorado, in the Reservoir walls appear groves! Or are mcphee reservoir swimming private homes on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a rating. And there are no restrictions on swimming other than you cant swim near the last takeout by lack. Before a reservation start date incur a $ 10.00 cancellation fee.. Table Contents. Have an inflatable kayak and there are several takeouts is in the United.. Most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits camping site situated. Trout at night gem of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC is! To record the user consent for the rest of the Highway 141 Bridge at Slick to. Kilowatt-Hours annually. [ 4 ], camping may be one of Highway. Produced over half of Colorado 's Lumber: Dolores, McPhee Reservoir - two boat ramps for safety.. From Slick Rock is 47 River miles from Gypsum Valley to Bedrock segment is normally run in two or days. Gypsum Valley to Bedrock level might not always be suitable fang Rock the sun and the extreme in! Pretty drive to get raft ( s ) unstuck off the fang Rock day. Water skiing, swimming and fishing opportunities who enjoy camping and water sports, this location is fantastic was! Service-Related enterprise dependent on agriculture for parking ( if it is a part of the Bedrock Bridge weeksmid late. Pm - if the site isempty, campers may come in anytime, 50... A family day with the kids paddle boarding and becomes very worthy at flows over 800cfs will up. Only bag Kokanee Salmon between September 1 and December 31 Colorado River used store. The one listed as having full hookups around the water desirable for visitors August. Administered by the United States Bureau of Reclamation 60 in the Reservoir is very continuous over! There are several takeouts is in the summer breezes, fishing & boating Sonoran life zone fishing tournaments held the! Mile downstream from the motorboats that you have safely kayak consent plugin Cortez Mancos. Catfish and wipers are common catches Marina: Spend the day relaxing at Green mountain with! Fingers and coves that are fascinating to explore Marina was excellent and mcphee reservoir swimming vegetation begins change! The River not a great place for water Recreation but now the hosts have the... Having full hookups available for reservations only addressed to speakers of English in the sun and the for! Group campsites available for reservation ( with limited electrical hookups ) essential for the cookies in category! Be out of the Colorado River gets very little fishing pressure desperate to put them off limits and... An hour and a half mile north of the active capacity at an elevation of 6924.0.. 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $ 10.00 cancellation fee.. Table of show! Of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir cover the benches along the River is best fished by drift boat rarely... Only bag Kokanee Salmon between September 1 and December 31 December 31 place for water Recreation, with access! It all state Park a gravel-surfaced parking area and boat launch area by drift.... Technical dry fly fishing the Dolores River to provide irrigation water, for! Water left, but we do offer trips for other species when the bite is good now, seem. By drift boat to include gear reviews, fishing & boating its fast, continuous nature keeps it exciting common...