McPhee Reservoir is the reason to point your rig toward Dolores. At more than 4,000 surface acres it is the second-largest body of water in Colorado, and it sits in the high desert of the state’s southwest corner where boaters, anglers, and watersports run all summer. Kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, and smallmouth bass keep the fishing steady, multiple boat ramps make launching easy, and the open water is a rare sight in this canyon country. From a full-hookup RV site in Dolores you can be at the ramps in 10 to 15 minutes.
The town of Dolores wraps around the Dolores River along CO-145, and that river is the other half of the draw. RV travelers get a base with water on two fronts: the reservoir to the north and the river running through town. Head the other direction and CO-145 climbs the San Juan Skyway toward Telluride, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours of some of the best mountain driving in the state. Here is what you need to know about RV parks near McPhee Reservoir, starting with the full-hookup resort on the river.
Why McPhee Reservoir and Dolores Anchor an RV Trip
McPhee Reservoir, Colorado's Second-Largest Lake
McPhee Reservoir spreads across more than 4,000 acres in the high desert north of Dolores, the second-largest body of water in Colorado. It is stocked with kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, and smallmouth bass, and multiple boat ramps make it a genuine boating and watersports lake in a corner of the state better known for canyons than open water. From a pull-through site at Dolores River RV Resort you can hitch the boat and be at a ramp in 10 to 15 minutes.
The Dolores River at Your Site
The Dolores River runs right past the resort, so the water is not only up at the reservoir. You can fish the river, walk the riverside trail, or just let the moving water fill the evenings. Full-hookup sites sit close enough to the bank that the river becomes part of the stay, which is the differentiator among RV parks along this stretch of CO-145.
Telluride and the San Juan Skyway
Point CO-145 the other direction and it climbs into the San Juan Mountains toward Telluride, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours north on the San Juan Skyway. It is one of the most scenic paved drives in Colorado, threading past Lizard Head Pass and the high peaks above Rico. A day trip up the skyway and back to a full-hookup site in Dolores is an easy way to trade desert reservoir for alpine country without moving the rig.
Dolores River RV Resort by RJourney
Dolores River RV Resort sits at 18680 CO-145 in Dolores, on the north side of the Dolores River and about 10 to 15 minutes from the McPhee Reservoir boat ramps. It is the closest full-hookup base to the lake, with 30/50-amp electric, water, and sewer at every site, plus pull-through and back-in options for rigs of any size. The river runs right past the property, so anglers and paddlers have water at camp and a big reservoir a short drive north. Cabins are available for guests traveling without a rig, and a riverside walking trail, playground, and patio sites round out the stay. Call (970) 821-9188 to check site types and dates.
Sites & Hookups
Every RV site at Dolores River RV Resort comes with full hookups: water, sewer, and 30/50-amp electric. Pull-through sites handle big rigs so you can park without unhooking a towed vehicle, and back-in sites fill out the layout along the river. Patio sites and picnic tables come standard, and the riverside setting keeps the sound of moving water close. For guests who want walls and a bed, cabins are available on the same property.
What's On-Site
The resort is built around the water. River access runs along the property with a walking trail and fishing on the Dolores, and McPhee Reservoir sits a short drive north for boating and lake fishing. On-site you get full-hookup sites with 30/50-amp service, pull-through and back-in pads, patio sites, a playground, showers and restrooms, and park-wide WiFi. Firewood, ice, and propane are sold on-site, which saves a run into Cortez before a day on the water. The riverside setting is the anchor, and the reservoir a few minutes north is what sets this stretch of CO-145 apart from the pass-through parks.
Other Campgrounds Near McPhee Reservoir
<p>Dolores River RV Resort is the closest full-hookup base to McPhee Reservoir, but the Forest Service runs developed campgrounds right on the lake for travelers who want a waterfront site. Availability and policies change, so call ahead before making plans.</p>
McPhee Recreation Complex
A U.S. Forest Service campground on the shore of McPhee Reservoir in the San Juan National Forest, with a boat ramp and lake access. Sites are more basic than a full-service resort, with vault toilets and limited hookups, but the waterfront setting is hard to beat for a boat-in-tow trip. Check site dimensions before bringing a big rig. Visit website.
House Creek Campground
A U.S. Forest Service campground on the north arm of McPhee Reservoir, tucked into pinyon and juniper with its own boat ramp. It runs quieter than the main complex and works for RVers who are mostly self-contained and want to wake up near the water. Expect vault toilets and limited hookups, and confirm road and site conditions before hauling a large rig in. Visit website.
San Juan National Forest Dispersed Camping
Free dispersed camping is available throughout the San Juan National Forest on designated roads and areas around McPhee and above Dolores. You need to be fully self-contained with no hookups, water, or trash service, and forest roads vary in quality, so check conditions before committing a large rig. The payoff is solitude and high-country scenery. Visit website.
Things to Do from Your RV Base Near McPhee Reservoir
McPhee Reservoir, 10 to 15 minutes north, anchors the water recreation with boating, watersports, and fishing for kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, and smallmouth bass. Multiple boat ramps make launching easy for anglers hauling a boat from a pull-through site. The Dolores River runs through town and past the resort, adding trout water and a riverside walking trail steps from camp. A Colorado license covers both the reservoir and the river.
The San Juan National Forest wraps the area with hiking and mountain biking from riverside strolls to high-country routes. The Boggy Draw and Phil’s World trail systems near Dolores and Cortez put miles of singletrack within a short drive, rated beginner to expert. Closer to camp, the riverside walking trail at the resort is an easy way to stretch the legs before or after a day on the water.
CO-145 north from Dolores becomes the San Juan Skyway, climbing toward Rico, Lizard Head Pass, and Telluride, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours of alpine driving from camp. Telluride’s free gondola runs year-round over a box canyon, and the summer festival season fills the calendar. Durango is about an hour and a half east via US-160, home to the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and a Main Avenue packed with breweries and restaurants.
Seasonal Guide for RV Travelers Near McPhee Reservoir
Late Spring (May through June)
The reservoir warms and boating picks up as snowmelt fills the high country. Daytime temperatures climb from the 60s into the low 80s in Dolores, and the Dolores River runs high early before dropping through June. A strong window for anglers and boaters who want warm days on McPhee before the summer crowds arrive.
Summer (July through August)
Peak season on McPhee Reservoir. Highs reach the mid-80s to low 90s in town, boat ramps stay busy, and afternoon thunderstorms build over the San Juans. Book RV sites well ahead for weekends and holidays. Mornings on the water are the reward for an early start before the wind and heat come up.
Fall (September through October)
Kokanee fishing peaks and the San Juans turn gold as aspens change, typically late September. Days cool into the 50s and 60s, crowds thin after Labor Day, and the drive up the San Juan Skyway is at its best. Some facilities begin closing in mid-October as nights drop below freezing.
Winter (November through April)
The high desert around McPhee turns cold and quiet, and many area campgrounds close or run limited schedules. Overnight temperatures regularly dip into the teens and snow is common at elevation. If you are traveling in a well-insulated 4-season rig, call ahead to confirm availability and winterized hookups.
Practical Tips for RV Travelers Near McPhee Reservoir
A Colorado license is required for both McPhee Reservoir and the Dolores River. Pick one up before you launch; kokanee and trout regulations differ, so check current bag limits with Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Summer afternoons bring wind and thunderstorms over McPhee. Get on the water early for calmer conditions and better fishing, and watch the sky for building storms in the San Juans.
Services get sparse heading north toward Telluride or into the national forest. Diesel is available in Cortez, about 11 miles south. Top off fuel and propane before heading up the skyway or into the backcountry.
Dolores sits near 7,000 feet and the skyway climbs much higher. Your rig's engine works harder on the grades and you will feel the altitude on day one, so drink extra water and take it easy.
Black bears are active around McPhee and the San Juan forest, especially late summer and fall. Store food and pet food inside your rig at night and secure trash, particularly at dispersed sites.
The Forest Service campgrounds on McPhee were not built for the biggest rigs. If you are running a large fifth wheel or motorhome, confirm site length and road conditions before committing, or base at a full-hookup site in Dolores.
Frequently Asked Questions
What RV parks are near McPhee Reservoir?
Dolores River RV Resort is the closest full-hookup base to McPhee Reservoir. It sits in Dolores on CO-145 with 30/50-amp full-hookup sites, pull-through and back-in options, and Dolores River access, roughly 10 to 15 minutes from the McPhee boat ramps.
How far is Dolores River RV Resort from McPhee Reservoir?
The McPhee Reservoir boat ramps are about 10 to 15 minutes from Dolores River RV Resort. That puts a morning on Colorado’s second-largest lake within easy reach of a full-hookup site, so you can launch a boat and be back at camp by afternoon.
What fish live in McPhee Reservoir?
McPhee Reservoir is stocked with kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, and smallmouth bass, along with yellow perch and other warmwater species. A Colorado fishing license is required. The reservoir has multiple boat ramps for anglers hauling a boat from a pull-through RV site.
Does Dolores River RV Resort have full hookups for big rigs?
Yes. Every RV site has full hookups with 30-amp and 50-amp electric, water, and sewer. Pull-through and back-in sites are available, so larger rigs can park without disconnecting a towed vehicle. Call (970) 821-9188 to confirm site type and availability.
Can I reach Telluride from Dolores River RV Resort?
Yes. Telluride is roughly 1.5 to 2 hours north over the San Juan Skyway on CO-145, one of Colorado’s most scenic drives. That makes Dolores River RV Resort a practical base for a day trip into the high country and back to your site the same evening.
Is Dolores River RV Resort pet-friendly?
Yes. Dolores River RV Resort is pet-friendly, with leashed dogs welcome on the grounds and along the riverside walking trail. Bring your pets for the McPhee and Dolores River trip and keep them leashed around the campground and beach area.
Book Your RV Site Near McPhee Reservoir
Dolores River RV Resort by RJourney is the closest full-hookup base to McPhee Reservoir, 10 to 15 minutes from the boat ramps with the Dolores River running past your site. Full hookups, 30/50-amp service, pull-through and back-in sites, and a riverside setting make it the practical home base for a trip built around Colorado's second-largest lake, with the San Juan Skyway to Telluride climbing out of town in the other direction.
See all site types, rates, and live availability on the Dolores River RV Resort page.
Book Your RV Site (970) 821-9188