Itinerary · 7 days
A week at the lake
Seven unhurried days, one easy anchor each — built for a big multi-gen group, with optional satellites when the crew wants to split by energy.
Tap a chip to tune the day for your crew.
Show me:
Day 1: Pontoon day
9:00 am–3:00 pm
Everyone on the water
No swim beach, no lifeguard; snowmelt-cold water. Keep flotation on kids.
Take it easy The whole family on a pontoon from the marina — shade, seats, and a cooler; toddlers to grandparents all fit. Reserve ahead: (970) 884-7000.
Standard Two boats — a pontoon for the crew, a fishing boat for the anglers.
Turn it up Anglers take a fishing boat at dawn; the pontoon joins mid-morning.
bench/seating: on the boat · shade: pontoon bimini
Dogs welcome on pontoons (not paddle craft); leashed on the dock.
Wind/storms cancel the water — swap to carvings + Country Market.
Group of 8+: book multiple boats early; ask the marina about capacity and life jackets.
Day 2: Carvings day
10:00 am–2:00 pm
The 14 carvings, at your pace
Take it easy The full carvings loop, drive-to-drive, with a picnic in the middle. The easiest big-group, all-ages, all-weather day.
Standard Carvings + a short lakeside walk.
Turn it up Carvings in the morning, a trail or paddle in the afternoon.
shade: varies
Leashed dogs fine at the pull-offs.
Rain-proof from the car; Pondering Pines if you want indoors.
Regroup point: the carvings lot — the reunion spot all week.
Day 3: A taste of the Weminuche
7:30 am–1:00 pm
High-country day
Take it easy A lower, gentle trail or a lakeside stroll — no summit required.
Standard Lake Eileen #899 — 2.1 mi one-way, ~1,150 ft.
Turn it up Deeper into the Weminuche from the north-end trailheads (e.g., Vallecito Creek #529, ~10.5 mi / ~3,340 ft — mind the Oct 2025 washout). Go early; be below treeline by early afternoon. Distances + trailheads on the trail guide.
shade: yes
Leashed — moose and bear country.
Afternoon storms are the rule — turn around by 1 pm. Rainout: Stories hub.
Split by energy; everyone back at the carvings lot at 3:00 pm.
1:00–3:00 pm
Midday reset
Take it easy Naps, knees, regroup — back at the cabins.
Standard Rest + restock.
Turn it up Refuel, then out again.
restroom: at your lodging · shade: yes
The daily reset every generation of the group wants.
Day 4: Fishing morning + pier day
6:00 am–12:00 pm
Fish the calm, then the pier
Take it easy Kids and grandparents fish the wheelchair-accessible pier — perch off the docks are the easy, all-day bite.
Standard Shore + pier in the morning; a boat if you want.
Turn it up Dawn on the water for kokanee/pike; guides listed on the fishing page. PRID permit + Colorado license first.
Leashed on the pier.
Lightning clears the water — carvings or the market instead.
The pier is the great equalizer: toddlers to limited-mobility all fish it.
Day 5: Durango side-trip
9:30 am–6:00 pm
Down the hill to Durango
About 45 min / ~23 mi to Durango; check the exact drive from where you are staying.
Take it easy A relaxed town day — lunch, shops, the river walk; easy on knees and strollers.
Standard Add the historic downtown and a museum.
Turn it up The Durango & Silverton narrow-gauge railroad or a Durango-area ride, then back for sunset.
restroom: in town · bench/seating: in town · shade: in town
Leave dogs at the cabin for a long town day, or check dog-friendly patios in town.
A town day IS the rainy-day move for the week.
Group logistics: caravan or carpool; pick a Durango meet-point + time before you leave the lake.
Day 6: Stories / rain-flex day
10:00 am–3:00 pm
The valley's history (weatherproof)
Take it easy Read the stories and see the easy sites: the carvings, the Missionary Ridge fire + Alan Wyatt memorial, the October 2025 flood, Tuckerville. Mostly from a screen or a dry car.
Standard Pick two stories and walk their ground.
Turn it up Pair a story with a short hike to its site.
shade: varies
Leashed at story/roadside stops.
This is the flex day — slot it wherever the week's worst weather lands.
Handmade goods + a dry hour: Pondering Pines Maker's Market — (970) 398-5958.
Day 7: Lazy last day
8:00–11:00 am
Slow morning, easy goodbye
Take it easy Coffee on the shore, a last flat lakeside walk, and pack up unhurried. Grab road snacks + hand-cut meats at the Country Market on the way out.
Standard A short paddle or one more carving you missed.
Turn it up A sunrise cast off the pier before the drive home.
restroom: at your lodging · shade: yes
One last leashed lakeside break at Old Timers.
Rain just makes the goodbye easier — pack and roll.
Check-out logistics for a big group: stagger cars, and confirm the Country Market's hours (closed Tue–Wed) before you count on a resupply.
Dogs: leashed, 6 ft. Rules
More itineraries
1 dayOne perfect day at VallecitoOne day, no hurry: the water early, the carvings after lunch, stars late.2–3 daysA Vallecito weekendEnough time to fish, wander into the wilderness, hear the local stories, and still do nothing for an afternoon.WinterA winter day at the lakeGroomed tracks, a line through the ice, and a valley that's mostly yours until spring.
Page updated · Spot something wrong? Tell us