Colorado · Hiking

Mcphee Overlook

Mcphee OverlookPhoto: GSEC, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
17.2 mi
round trip
763 ft
climb
7,225 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Jun, Aug–Oct
best months

Is Mcphee Overlook open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in San Juan National Forest. It doesn't name Mcphee Overlook, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · San Juan National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

McPhee Overlook is a 17.2-mile out-and-back hike in the Mancos/Dolores Ranger District of Colorado's San Juan National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises from a low point of 6,932 feet to a high of 7,225 feet, with a total elevation gain of 763 feet. It is a hard route, and the trail surface is natural, so plan for a rougher walk than a smooth path. The most comfortable stretch for a visit runs from late spring through early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at a similar elevation show June highs around 81°F and September highs around 75°F, with July the warmest month at about 86°F. Winter is cold, with January highs near 40°F and lows around 17°F. The McPhee Overlook Trail parking area is the trailhead, and the route is open from about May 2 through November 30. Bikes and horses are both allowed. The Dolores River Trail lies about 1.3 miles away, and McPhee Group Area and McPhee Campground are both within about 2 miles. House Creek Boating Site, roughly 2.9 miles off, offers river fishing.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Jun, Aug–Oct

    Best time to visit Mcphee Overlook

    Best months: April–June and August–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      40° / 17°

    2. Feb

      42° / 19°

    3. Mar

      51° / 27°

    4. Apr

      60° / 33°

    5. May

      69° / 40°

    6. Jun

      81° / 50°

    7. Jul

      86° / 55°

    8. Aug

      83° / 55°

    9. Sep

      75° / 47°

    10. Oct

      63° / 36°

    11. Nov

      50° / 26°

    12. Dec

      40° / 18°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Yellow Jacket 4ne, CO, 9.4 mi away at 7,090 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.