Dolores River Rafting Trips

Dolores River Rafting Trips – 10 Day Gateway Canyon

Emerging from Slick Rock Canyon the river enters Paradox Valley, an interesting geologic phenomenon where the river cuts across the valley rather than through the middle of it! This valley was extensively occupied by Pueblo Indian culture and was also famous in western history as a route through which rustlers traversed to sell stolen stock in the mining camps. In the spring, nesting waterfowl abound in the natural but unprotected refuge.

From here the river cuts through Paradox and Mesa Canyons where one can view remnants of an almost unbelievable “hanging flume”. Near the town of Gateway the river plunges into Gateway Canyon where some of the most difficult rapids of the entire river are encountered. Some 30 miles below Gateway, Colorado, the Dolores River unites with the Colorado River.

You can combine Ponderosa Gorge, Slick Rock, and Gateway Canyons to create one of the longest raft trips in the West. Day after day you will share the river with mergansers and great blue herons, exploring the desert from a unique vantage point. Exciting whitewater, fascinating geology, Indian ruins, interesting side creeks, and stunning sunsets will fill your days on this adventure of a lifetime. This Dolores River rafting trip is great for people that can’t afford the time or expense of a Grand Canyon of the Colorado raft trip, or people just looking to truly escape the pressures of modern life.