Dolores (Colorado)

Dolores is in the heart of Mesa Verde Country, near the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument and the Anasazi Heritage Center in Southwestern Colorado, and only 15 miles from the entrance to Mesa Verde National Park.

Understand

Dolores is great for hunting, biking, fishing and boating. It is a quaint, historic western town, with no chain stores or Starbucks. Turn of the century western buildings still line Central Ave. housing Antique stores, The Hollywood Bar, and the Historic Rio Grande Southern Hotel B&B & Restaurant.

Dolores is halfway between Durango and Telluride, where the Dolores River forms McPhee Reservoir, the second largest body of water in Colorado.

With the Dolores River running through town and mountains on both sides of the valley, Dolores is one of the truly unique vacation spots in Colorado. You will find Gold Medal flyfishing, historic western buildings, the Railroad Museum featuring the restored Galloping Goose #5, spectacular scenery on the San Juan Skyway, boating, waterskiing, camping, hiking and mile after mile of the San Juan National Forest filled with Rocky Mountain elk and mule deer.

The expedition of Fathers Dominguez and Escalante was undertaken at the time the colonies were struggling to create a nation. The Dominguez-Escalante expedition left from Santa Fe and camped at Dolores August 13, 1776. Their goal was to explore unknown lands north and west of Spanish New Mexico, open a route to Spanish missions in California and convert Indians to Spanish culture and religion. The Franciscans journal and artillery Captain Miera's maps were the first record of lands and peoples in what was to become southern Colorado and Utah.

The town of Dolores lies on the San Juan Skyway, a state and federally designated scenic highway, so awe-inspiring, it has been called 'America's Most Beautiful Drive'. The 236 mile loop is a perfect one-day drive. The road will take you over and around the spectacular San Juan Mountains and through the historic mining towns of Telluride, Ouray, Silverton and Durango. Ridgway, Mancos and Cortez are also along the way.

Eat

• Dolores Market (Dolores Food Market), 400 Railroad. Daily 8AM-8PM. Grocery Store full of good, fresh food. Not what you'd expect here. Fresh produce, meats, and deli food. A variety of snacks and groceries too. $15 for a deli sandwich, drink, and snack. (updated Jul 2023)

Sleep

• Dunton Hot Springs, 52068 County Rd, ☏ +1 970 882-4800, fax: +1 970 882-7474. 38. Offering luxury private cabins in a ghost town. On site there is gourmet dining, fine wines, hot springs, spa services and outdoor activities.