This remote, historic site contains one of the last standing vanadiun-radium-
uranium camps in Colorado. Calamity Camp is an example of the historic mining
camps that were active during the uranium booms from 1916 to 1980. The site
has several well-preserved structures, including a cookhouse. NOTE: There is
some residual radiation at this site, because of radioactive minerals in the
area.

This remote, historic site contains one of the last standing vanadiun-radium-uranium camps in Colorado. Calamity Camp is an example of the historic mining camps that were active during the uranium booms from 1916 to 1980. The site has several well-preserved structures, including a cookhouse. NOTE: There is some residual radiation at this site, because of radioactive minerals in the area.

Bird's eye view of the park

Calamity Camp Mining Site

The lower stretch of the Dolores River offers technical rapids, stunning
scenery, wildlife viewing, side-canyon hiking, and great camping. A free
permit is required. Groups must read and adhere to all stipulations of the
permit. Call the Moab Field Office at 435-259-2100 to secure a free permit for
floating the Dolores River.

Rapids on this section of the Dolores River range from class I to class IV.
The most challenging rapid is Stateline (class IV), which is at the Colorado-
Utah border. This mile-long rock garden requires excellent scouting (from
river right) and quick maneuvering at all water levels. A mistake made in this
this rapid can result in a very long and dangerous swim. Many groups put in
smaller craft below this rapid. Bring an adequate amount of drinking water as
the Dolores and its tributaries are unfit for human consumption. Land
ownership on the Lower Dolores is mixed; please respect the rights of private
landowners.

The main roadblock for running this stretch is a very erratic and short
(sometimes non-existent) boating season. Flows generally peak between late
April and early May. Suggested minimum flows (approximated) are: 200 cfs for
canoes, kayaks, and duckies, 800 cfs for rafts less than 14 feet, and 1000 cfs
for rafts larger than 14 feet. Current streamflow conditions are available on
the U.S. Geological Survey website. For information on current levels at
McPhee Reservoir, please visit the Dolores Water Conservancy District (DWCD)
website.

_Private permits:_ There is no fee charged and you do not need to submit an
application. Simply call (435) 259-7012 (Moab) or (970) 247-4874 (Tres Rios)
between 8 a.m. and noon Monday through Friday (excluding Federal holidays) to
obtain a permit. A last-minute reservation request or change to an existing
permit can be easily accommodated if you have access to a fax machine. Please
note that the permit must be signed by the trip leader and carried on the
river to be authorized. By signing, the trip leader agrees to follow the River
Use Stipulations that accompany the permit. Please leave your permit in the
camp fee tube at the Dewey Bridge campground at the end of your trip. If you
have questions, please call (435) 259-7012 (Moab) or 970) 247-4874 (Tres Rios)

The lower stretch of the Dolores River offers technical rapids, stunning scenery, wildlife viewing, side-canyon hiking, and great camping. A free permit is required. Groups must read and adhere to all stipulations of the permit. Call the Moab Field Office at 435-259-2100 to secure a free permit for floating the Dolores River.

Rapids on this section of the Dolores River range from class I to class IV. The most challenging rapid is Stateline (class IV), which is at the Colorado-Utah border. This mile-long rock garden requires excellent scouting (from river right) and quick maneuvering at all water levels. A mistake made in this this rapid can result in a very long and dangerous swim. Many groups put in smaller craft below this rapid. Bring an adequate amount of drinking water as the Dolores and its tributaries are unfit for human consumption. Land ownership on the Lower Dolores is mixed; please respect the rights of private landowners.

The main roadblock for running this stretch is a very erratic and short (sometimes non-existent) boating season. Flows generally peak between late April and early May. Suggested minimum flows (approximated) are: 200 cfs for canoes, kayaks, and duckies, 800 cfs for rafts less than 14 feet, and 1000 cfs for rafts larger than 14 feet. Current streamflow conditions are available on the U.S. Geological Survey website. For information on current levels at McPhee Reservoir, please visit the Dolores Water Conservancy District (DWCD) website.

Private permits: There is no fee charged and you do not need to submit an application. Simply call (435) 259-7012 (Moab) or (970) 247-4874 (Tres Rios) between 8 a.m. and noon Monday through Friday (excluding Federal holidays) to obtain a permit. A last-minute reservation request or change to an existing permit can be easily accommodated if you have access to a fax machine. Please note that the permit must be signed by the trip leader and carried on the river to be authorized. By signing, the trip leader agrees to follow the River Use Stipulations that accompany the permit. Please leave your permit in the camp fee tube at the Dewey Bridge campground at the end of your trip. If you have questions, please call (435) 259-7012 (Moab) or 970) 247-4874 (Tres Rios)

Dolores River

The Utah section of the Dolores River offers technical rapids, stunning
scenery, wildlife viewing, side-canyon hiking, and camping. Permits are
required year-round for all private, non-commercial use of the Lower Dolores.
There is no limit on the number of permits issued. Permits will become
available beginning January 1st each year through Recreation.gov. The permit
authorizes a group size of 1 to 25 to float the stretch of the Lower Dolores
River.

The Lower Dolores has a very short, erratic (and often non-existent) boating
season. Flows typically peak between late April and early May. Suggested
minimum flows are 200 CFS for canoes, pack rafts, kayaks, and inflatable
Kayaks; 800 CFS for rafts under 14 feet; and 1,000 CFS for rafts larger than
14 feet.

Rapids on this section range from class I to class IV, and the most
challenging rapid is near the Utah and Colorado stateline. The "Stateline
Rapid" is a mile-long rock garden and requires excellent scouting (from river
right) and quick maneuvering at all water levels. Mistakes in this rapid can
result in a very long and dangerous swim. Many groups choose to put in below
this rapid. A map is available at
https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/Moab_DoloresRiverMap.pdf. Bring an
adequate amount of drinking water as the Dolores and its tributaries are unfit
for human consumption. Land ownership along the Dolores River is mixed, please
respect the rights of private landowners.

For the portion of the Dolores River that flows through Colorado, please
contact the Tres Rios Field Office. Private trips do not require a permit for
boating the Dolores River through Colorado. More information on stream flows
can be found on the Dolores Water Conservancy District website.

The Utah section of the Dolores River offers technical rapids, stunning scenery, wildlife viewing, side-canyon hiking, and camping. Permits are required year-round for all private, non-commercial use of the Lower Dolores. There is no limit on the number of permits issued. Permits will become available beginning January 1st each year through Recreation.gov. The permit authorizes a group size of 1 to 25 to float the stretch of the Lower Dolores River. The Lower Dolores has a very short, erratic (and often non-existent) boating season. Flows typically peak between late April and early May. Suggested minimum flows are 200 CFS for canoes, pack rafts, kayaks, and inflatable Kayaks; 800 CFS for rafts under 14 feet; and 1,000 CFS for rafts larger than 14 feet. 

Rapids on this section range from class I to class IV, and the most challenging rapid is near the Utah and Colorado stateline. The "Stateline Rapid" is a mile-long rock garden and requires excellent scouting (from river right) and quick maneuvering at all water levels. Mistakes in this rapid can result in a very long and dangerous swim. Many groups choose to put in below this rapid. A map is available at <a href="https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/Moab_DoloresRiverMap.pdf" rel="nofollow">https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/Moab_DoloresRiverMap.pdf</a>. Bring an adequate amount of drinking water as the Dolores and its tributaries are unfit for human consumption. Land ownership along the Dolores River is mixed, please respect the rights of private landowners.

For the portion of the Dolores River that flows through Colorado, please contact the Tres Rios Field Office. Private trips do not require a permit for boating the Dolores River through Colorado. More information on stream flows can be found on the Dolores Water Conservancy District website.

Small camping area a long Kokopelli Trail

Calamity Camp Mining Site

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Nearby Parks

Dolores River

Dolores River

Hideout Canyon Camping Area