Discover Dolores County: Mesas, Mountain Peaks, and Mining History

Dolores County combines striking landscapes with a diverse mining history. In the west, high mesas and narrow valleys shape the landscape, while the east is dominated by high mountains. Elevations range from 5,900 feet in Disappointment Valley to 14,046 feet at Mount Wilson.

Between Mesas and High Peaks

The contrast in elevation makes Dolores County a destination for travelers who enjoy structuring their days in different ways. There are trailheads for hikes to the 14,000-foot peaks of Mount Wilson and neighboring summits. The specific choice of accommodation can therefore be sensibly based on the excursions you have planned, without having to assign all destinations to the same location. In winter, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing are among the activities mentioned in the county.

Access to special landscape destinations is also part of the planning process. The South Mountain property begins at Hwy. 141 via Disappointment Creek Road (CR 19Q). It can also be reached by traveling approximately 5.5 miles on foot or horseback across USFS and BLM land. This information helps you distinguish between a trip based around driving routes and a stay involving longer excursions.

Mining History and Traces of Historic Settlement

Dolores County offers several starting points for exploring cultural history. The Knight/Bankston Ranch dates back to 1879; its original 1881 log cabin is still standing. In Rico, buildings and remnants from the mining boom of the 1880s have been preserved. The historic townscape there also includes an old depot and a section of the railroad line along the Dolores River.

Other remnants date back considerably further. Brewer Mesa Pueblo is a mesa-top settlement dating from the 11th century. Brewer Canyon Pueblo is described as a large canyon-head village from the 13th century. These two sites complement the more recent mining history with traces of earlier settlements. Dunton was also founded in 1885 as a mining camp on the West Dolores River. Dunton Hot Springs is a 19th-century ghost town in an alpine valley. The hot springs lie along a north-trending fault and extend across approximately 0.3 square miles.

Another historic building formerly served as the courthouse and administrative headquarters of Dolores County. For a trip focused on regional history, it is therefore worthwhile to include not only individual natural attractions but also the county’s different historical periods in your planning.

Routes and Practical Trip Planning

The San Juan Skyway follows CO 145 to Dolores and then continues westward to Mancos Road. This route can serve as a geographic reference for a round trip.

At Burro Bridge Campground, campsites are assigned on a “first come, first served” basis. This information applies to the campground’s sites and should be distinguished from the search for a vacation rental or vacation home.

Places for Further Research

In addition to Rico, you can include Dove Creek among the other places in the county for your research. A vacation rental or vacation home in Dolores County should suit the experiences and driving routes you have planned; for further regional research, you can also visit Archuleta, Delta, Routt, Douglas, Las Animas, and Elbert County.

For the broader travel overview: Colorado.