What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Dolores River Trail
The Dolores River Trail is a one-way track along an abandoned dirt road used from 1830 to 1890 by miners within 30 miles of the confluence of the Dolores and Colorado Rivers. The trail runs along a particularly scenic section of Utah where the Dolores carves through layers of sandstone. It is reasonably level with areas of boulders where petroglyphs, pictographs, and dinosaur footprints are found.
Length: 7.2 miles
Intensity: Easy
Delicate Arch Trail
The Delicate Arch Trail is one of the most visited pathways in Arches National Park. Everyone who wants to see this iconic arch themselves can do so by starting at the parking lot at Wolfe Ranch. The hike runs across a bridge over an old salt wash to a level area before climbing into a soft, pebbly sandstone region. The trail gradually angles up to a series of slick red rocks that visitors must traverse. Hitting a level plateau, the trail bends toward a set of peaks. Negotiating through a break in the rock formations, the rewarding site of Delicate Arch greets travelers.
Length: 3 miles
Intensity: Intermediate
Fishing and Boating
The Dolores River is a great whitewater rafting stream. There is one dangerous set of Class IV rapids located at the Utah/Colorado border. Most groups put in below these rapids and run the remaining four for a pleasant three-day excursion. Due to flow-control dams on the Colorado section of the river, flows that allow rafting of these rapids are erratic and short, with the optimum months being April to May. The stream is ideal for anglers seeking trout for a fresh meal during breaks.
Climbing
Though hiking beside the Dolores River is encouraged, climbing the soft sandstone formations is discouraged. However, there are several areas nearby, such as Zig Zag Canyon, where rock climbing draws visitors throughout the year.
Wildlife Viewing
Several species of lizards and snakes live alongside the Dolores River; their survival depends on the river as a water source. Some deer are present, but the absence of foliage makes their lives difficult. Bird-watchers often see hawks, vultures, and eagles soaring the sky in search of prey.
Picnicking
Picnicking along this stretch of water is limited to areas close to the raft pull-out area near Dewey Bridge. Of course, those rafting the river picnic all along its length, although there are regulations requiring the removal of all evidence of their presence from the picnic sites. Campgrounds near the area allow picnicking.
Stargazing
The night sky is uninterrupted in this part of the country, and its high elevation thins the obscuring atmosphere so that stars, many of which urban dwellers have never seen, are visible. Many visitors to the Dolores River BLM areas remark that they just learned the reason for Native American reference to the road across the night sky.
