Rapids

Should I canoe the Gunnison or the Delores River in Colorado?

Taking a 3 day trip and was wanting to know which river I should float if im looking for decent rapids, good fishing, and great scenery. Any help is greatly appreciated. Would this also require a permit to float these rivers? Thanks so much!

Public Comments

1. I live in southern CO and now is not a good time to canoe of kayak unless you want to relax. Peak flow is in May to June.The dolores has more water flow and Mcphee Reservior is right next to it. Gunnison you get the waterflow but not as much as the Dolores. Dont forget to visit Cortez and Mesa Verde it is worth the trip and doesnt cost much. I have fished both rivers and have had more success in the Dolores because you get large to small sections which you can fish for other species of fish such as perch, bass, saugeye, and the best comes with the trout. You would need a states park pass to float the rivers and i believe it cost 6 dollars a day and 60 dollars a year. The best river to float is the Arkansas you will get alot of class 4 and 5 rapids. Fishing is also good but only at anypoint between Salida to Canon city. Other atractions in Southern Colorado include the San Juan National Park,Creed(good fishing there), Pagosa Springs, Durango,Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes, Alamosa, San Isabel National Forest, Phantom Canyon, Silverton, Rio Grande Natonal Park,Montrose,and Hesperia Mountain. There is alot more but those are the places where I enjoyed the most for the past years. Another suggestion highway 160 and 50 have all of those attractions, rivers, lakes,and etc that you would like. If you go to a Walmart ask for a fishing brochure and map. The map is good because it gives to the locations to lakes,reservoirs, creeks, and rivers to fish at and the brochure tells you where you could float
2. i camped on the gunnison in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park---that had AMAZING fish--in fact, that strectch is labeled Gold Medal Trout Water--CO only has about 150 miles of streams that are labeled that so it will be good fishing..the scenery was great, canyaon walls on both sides and the I've never seen water that color before