Enjoy small town hospitality, gold medal fishing and whitewater rafting in Dolores
Dolores Colorado is proud to be small town U.S.A.
"Rio de Nuestra Señora de las Dolores", or The River of Our Lady of Sorrows, was named by Dominquez and Escalante, Spanish Catholic priests who came through the area seeking routes from the missions of Santa Fe, NM to California in 1776.
In 1891 the railhead was established at the present site of Dolores. Residents of Big Bend, a settlement a few miles north, realized a golden opportunity and moved lock, stock and barrel to the railroad site, renamed it Dolores after the river, and officially incorporated the town on July 7, 1900. Dolores became a major stop on the rail line between Ridgway/Telluride and Durango. A hybrid vehicle half bus, half rail car, nicknamed the Galloping Goose, ran the mail and passenger runs.
Dolores is your headquarters for local history and outdoor fun, with fascinating shops and boutiques, excellent restaurants including a local brewery, and lodging to fit every budget.
Top Dolores Events
- Dolores celebrates its namesake river during the Dolores River Festival in June.
- Celebrate the history of Dolores during Escalante Days in August.
- In October hunters stock up on information at the Dolores Hunters Expo.
What You Need to Know About Dolores:
- The historic Galloping Goose #5 sits outside the historic train depot and museum. During certain times of the year rides are offered.
View a video about Galloping Goose #5. - The Gold Medal Waters of the Dolores River are great for fly-fishing.
- Rafting the lower Dolores and kayaking the upper Dolores River are best in May and early June when spring runoff is at its highest.
- McPhee Lake, the second largest lake in Colorado, is a stone's throw from downtown, and provides great fishing and boating adventures.
- The San Juan National Forest, adjacent to Dolores, offers hiking, camping, mountain biking and four-wheeling..
- In winter enjoy skiing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in the high-country.
