Elevation Changes Everything

Know Vallecito Lake before you go.

Live conditions from the agencies that publish them, every business in the valley, and what to know before you drive up.

Is today a good day? Plan your first trip Living in Vallecito
Today in one line · 5:16 AM

Tomorrow looks good.

Mostly Clear and 56° now, 57° tonight, 82° tomorrow. Campfires in fire rings only. Durango route is clear; CR 501 has no sensors. Lake is low (24%): check ramp status before towing a boat.

Right now at the lake · Updated 5:16 AM MDT

Live conditions

Sorted by what needs your attention first, not alphabetically.

  • Heads-up
  • Affects your trip

  • Weather · near the lake

    delayed
    56°F
    Mostly Clear
    Feels 56° · Wind 5 mph NW · gusts 8 · Humidity 38%
    Today 80° / 57°
    Next 48 hours°F · shaded = night
    80° 56°
    • Wed: high 83, low 56
    • Thu: high 82, low 54
    • Fri: high 80, low 53
    • Sat: high 78, low 54, 21% chance of precipitation
    • Sun: high 75, low 55, 47% chance of precipitation
    • Mon: high 74, low 54, 36% chance of precipitation
    • Tue: high 74, low 54, 35% chance of precipitation
    Source: NWS · Updated 3:55 AM MDT

  • Lake level

    delayed
    24% full

    Low. Check ramp status before towing a boat.

    Storage31,220 of 129,700 af
    Elevation7,618 ft
    Source: USBR · Updated Sep 8, 12:00 AM MDT

  • Campfires & alerts

    delayed
    1
    Stage 1 · campfires rings onlyLa Plata County · since Jul 24 · confirmed Aug 15
    National ForestNone
    NWS alertsNone

    Open burning, burn barrels, and yard-waste or slash burning: not allowed right now.

    Source: La Plata County Sheriff · NWS · San Juan NF · Updated 5:16 AM MDT

  • Wildfires nearby · within 50 mi

    delayed
    1active
    Nearest · Swiss Roll42 mi · 0%
    Gold Mountain46 mi · 92%

    Swiss Roll is 42 mi E of the lake · wind NW 5 mph

    Source: NIFC · Updated 5:16 AM MDT

  • Air quality · smoke

    delayed
    13AQIGood

    Fine for everyone.

    SensorO3 · Southern Ute Indian Reservation
    Tomorrow42 AQI
    Source: AirNow (EPA) · nearest reporting area · Updated 5:00 AM MDT

  • Roads · Durango access

    delayed
    Clear
    • US 550: 3 - dry
    • US 160: Not reported
    • CR 501: Not reported

    No reported issues on the Durango access corridor. The final leg (CR 501) isn't CDOT-reported. Check the live cameras or dial 511.

    Source: CDOT / COtrip · Updated 5:15 AM MDT

  • Streamflow

    delayed
    50cfs in
    155cfs out · daily avg Sep 8

    Gentle creek flows: easy wading above the lake.

    Pine River26 cfs
    Vallecito Creek24 cfs
    Source: USGS · outflow USACE · Updated 4:45 AM MDT

  • Power · near the lake

    delayed
    On

    No outages reported near the lake

    LPEA system47,721 customers served
    Source: La Plata Electric Association · Updated 5:15 AM MDT

  • Sun & moon

    delayed
    Sunrise 6:47 AM · in 1h 30m
    Moonwaning crescent · 6% lit
    StargazingDark skies after 7:27 PM, 6% moon
    Sun and moon times for Vallecito Lake, computed on your device
Live now
Live cam

See the lake, right now.

A live window on Vallecito Lake from the marina: the water, the weather, and the light before you drive up.

Watch the live cam

Plan your trip

Ready-made days, or this week at a glance.

Itineraries

One perfect day, a full weekend, or a winter day, each with an easy track and a turn-it-up track.

See the itineraries

Vallecito This Week

A printable one-page snapshot: conditions, events, fishing, and fire status, refreshed with every update.

Open this week

Common questions

Swimming, permits, dogs, cell service, altitude: the questions we get most, answered straight.

Read the FAQ

The stories around the lake

Not planning a trip? Just curious about this place?

Gallery

Vallecito through the years: Ute heritage, the 1940s dam, and today's high country.

Open the gallery

Tour of Carvings

14 chainsaw sculptures around the lake honoring the 2002 Missionary Ridge Fire.

Take the tour

Missionary Ridge Fire

The 2002 fire that burned 73,000 acres over the lake, and the carved memorials that remember it.

Read the story

Wildlife

Bears, moose, elk, and eagles: lock up scents, leash the dog, slow at dusk.

Meet the wildlife

Vallecito at a glance

The quick answers, then dig into First Visit for the details. Loved hard and kept pristine: see Respect Vallecito.

Can I swim?

Yes. People swim near the day-use areas at the north end. No designated beach, no lifeguard, and it's snowmelt-cold into June.

Can I bring a boat?

Yes. Rentals at the marina; lake permits are $6/day per vehicle, or $12/day with a motorized boat. Licenses & permits

Can I hike or camp?

Yes. Hiking trails ring the lake and reach into the Weminuche Wilderness, and six USFS campgrounds serve the reservoir.

Best season?

Summer for the water; September–October for fishing, fewer crowds, and golden aspens.

A small lake, big country

Vallecito sits at the edge of the Weminuche Wilderness, the largest wilderness area in Colorado.

≈7,665 ftAt full poolUSBR / USACE
12 miShorelineCPW
2,720 acSurface areaCPW
120 ftMax depthCPW
~45 minFrom Durango (23 mi)
Emergency 911 Sheriff (non-emergency) (970) 385-2900 All emergency & lake contacts
The Lake Report

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