At any time of year, enjoy the splendor of the South West surroundings.
Click Here to Download a List of Discounted Activities.
The Sophia Lodge, nestled in the San Juan's, opens to a world of recreational paradise and adventure. Ski at the internationally known Telluride, or enjoy golfing and world-class fly-fishing moments away. Explore the ancient villages of the Anasazi at Mesa Verde and heighten your awareness of the cultural past of the Four Corners area. Minutes from the San Juan National Forest which includes excellent opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, white-water rafting and horseback riding. We can provide professional outfitters for all types of group outings. Nowhere else will you find the breadth of activities that the Mesa offers.
Dolores: Home of the Sophia Lodge
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Dolores:
Along the Dolores River, this quaint town offers a vast array of unique shopping and outdoor access. It is the main entrance to the historic 232-mile-long San Juan Skyway Scenic Drive, and home of the
Anasazi Heritage Center & Museum- headquarters for the new Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. We are half a mile from the San Juan National Forest with great outdoor sports including Cross Country Skiing at Chicken Creek Road Loop- 30 miles of pristine trails at no charge. McPhee Reservoir has excellent ice fishing and the Dolores River offers Gold Medal Fishing & white water rafting. Lastly, we have some of the best trophy elk & mule deer hunting around.
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San Juan National Forest: Just half of a mile away, the San Juan National Forest is an oasis for hikers, historians, fishermen, anthropologists, kayakers, mountain bikers, skiers and 4-wheeling. With alpine lakes & meadows, cataracts, canyons, and waterfalls this terrain caters to the casual hiker or serious mountain climbers. The Needle Mountains, one of the roughest ranges in the United States, has several 14,000-foot peaks. Trails: Chicken Creek Road Loop, Jersey Jim Loop, North Fork.
McPhee Reservoir: A three minute drive brings you to the McPhee Reservoir, the second largest of Colorado's lakes with over 50 miles of shoreline. Experience renowned fishing & Ice Fishing of McConaughy rainbow trout, Kokanee salmon, bluegill, channel catfish, large and small mouth bass, crappie, fathead minnow, crayfish, green sunfish, bullhead, and yellow perch. Named "the best fishing spot in the San Juan Basin".
Museums and archaeological sites including Crow Canyon Archaeological Center and Canyons of the Ancients, Lowry Pueblo, Painted Hand Pueblo, Sand Canyon. During the summer months enjoy Native American Dances and Storyteller Programs at the Cortez Cultural Center & Museum, Ute Mountain Round-up and Rodeo, Annual Arts & Crafts Fiesta, Dancing in the Moonlight, Indian Rodeo, galleries, farmer's market, Concerts in the Park and golf.
(10 min. from Dolores)
Conquistador Golf Course:
10 miles away, this is a beautiful par 72, championship 18 hole course with sand traps, water hazards, practice driving range, putting green, on-site Pro, full service Pro Shop, and Club & Cart Rentals.
Native American Dances:
10 miles away, during the summer, Native American Dances are held in full costume on the plaza of the Cortez Cultural Center, Monday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Storytellers, artists, and historians speak about American Indian cultures at 8:30 p.m. following the dances.
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Horseback Riding through Red Rock Canyons |
Horseback Riding & Sleigh Rides:
There are many outfitters that provide fantastic adventures from a simple afternoon ride to night rides, carriage or wagon rides, camping and pack trips and sleigh rides. All within 20 minutes of the Sophia Lodge.
Crow Canyon Archaeological Center:
This archaeological research and education center offers full-day programs that explore the Ancestral Puebloan world through site tours of working excavations and hands-on activities.
Ute Mountain Tribal Park:
Receive a guided tour by Ute Indians who know in depth knowledge of the cultural past of the Ute and Puebloan people. You may also visit the Pottery Factory that sells museum quality, beautifully decorated pottery from local tribal artists.
La Plata Canyon:
Mining ruins, ghost towns, National Forest access, jeeping, mountain biking through aspen groves, Herperus Ski Area, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, sleigh rides.
Durango:
Just an hour drive of unforgettable scenery through the mountains brings you to the mountain town of Durango. Enjoy Jeeping tours, Water slides, Melodrama, Western Stage Shows, shopping & art gallery in Historic Downtown. Some of Colorado's best Skiing & Snow boarding is at Purgatory Mountain just 1.5 hrs away. Take a Magical Winter Train Ride through Cascade Canyon with Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad or enjoy a “Who Done It” set during Victorian times with a Murder Mystery Train ride. Soar through Aspen Tree Canopies on stainless steel cable with your very own Ski Ranger.
(1 hour from Dolores)
Telluride:
From the Sophia Lodge follow the Dolores River through the mountains for a spectacular and unforgettable drive. Telluride Ski Resort is world renowned with exceptional runs for all levels, unique shopping and excellent dining & entertainment. The scenery from above is breathtaking. Take a ride on Telluride's Gondola, described as the "The Most Beautiful Commute in America".
(1 hour, 20 min. from Dolores)
Towaoc:
Silverton:
Visit the quaint and historic Ghost Mining Town of Silverton with shops and horse drawn carriages
~~~ National Monuments & Parks ~~~
Voted the #1 historic monument in the world and National Geographic Travelers "Fifty Places of a Lifetime". Open year round with a renowned light show in December and just 20 miles away from the Sophia Lodge. Let the spectacular cliff dwellings & numerous mesa-top villages carry you away into the lives of the Ancestral Puebloan people. (Fees)
(20 miles from Dolores)
Our countries most unique landmark where the states of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado come together. The Visitor Center is open year round, and features a Demonstration Center with Navajo artisans. Navajo vendors sell handmade jewelry, carts and traditional Navajo foods nearby.
(45 miles from Dolores)
Six groups of archaeological sites, featuring spectacular towers, from the Ancestral Puebloan culture. Self-guided tours, visitor center. Open year-round.
(45 miles from Dolores ~2 hours, 18 min.)
Canyonlands by Night and Day offers scenic and informative Canoe Trips, Air Tours, Arches and Canyonlands National Park Tours, Jetboat Tours, Movie Tours, Hummer & ATV Tours and Horseback Riding
(1 hour, 45 min from Dolores)
Enjoy over two thousand natural sandstone arches, the world famous Delicate Arch and millions of years of exposed geological history.
(2 hours from Dolores)
Magnificent red mesas transform a sandy desert into a inspiring landscape.
(2.5 hours from Dolores)
~~~ Hot Springs ~~
Soak & Relax in 3 natural therapy hot springs or enjoy their Olympic swimming pool.
6475 County Road 203, Durango Colorado - (970) 247-0111 ,
(1 hr 15min from Dolores)
Ouray Hot Springs:
Take a 2-hour drive to spend the day soaking in the healing powers of this natural outdoor oval pool, holding nearly a million gallons of odorless mineral water. With three separate soaking sections and temperatures rating from 88° to 105°F, let your body be renewed. Open year round (June-Aug daily 10am-10pm; Sept-May daily noon-9pm).
(2 hours from Dolores)
For the rugged adventurer, hike, ski or snowshoe into the beautiful Rainbow Hot Springs nestled in the rocks in the Weminuche Wilderness Area of the San Juan National Forest.
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