How to spend a day at Vallecito
Trails into the largest wilderness in Colorado, twelve miles of shoreline, chainsaw bears, and some of the darkest skies in the state.
The main things to do at Vallecito Lake are boating and fishing on the 2,720-acre reservoir, hiking into the Weminuche Wilderness (Colorado’s largest), camping at six Forest Service campgrounds, horseback and OHV riding, the free Tour of Carvings (fourteen chainsaw sculptures) and stargazing. Winter brings ice fishing and groomed Nordic skiing. Sources for the numbers: lake facts.
Trails
Vallecito is the main southern gateway into the Weminuche Wilderness — Colorado's largest. Routes run from a flat lakeside stroll to multi-day backpacks over the Continental Divide.
- Lakeside & easy: gentle walking right along the water; good for families.
- Vallecito Creek & Pine River: the two classic valley trails deep into the wilderness.
- High routes: Johnson Creek, Rock Creek, and beyond to alpine lakes and passes.
Heads-up: an Oct 2025 flood washed out the Middle Bridge on Vallecito Creek Trail #529 — check the full guide before you go.
Hunting season is open
Archery, muzzleloader and rifle hunters are out September through November.
Hiking? Wear blaze orange or another bright color, keep dogs leashed and close, and expect hunters and horse trailers at the trailheads. Orange isn't required for hikers, just smart.
Hunting? With any firearm license, or bowhunting during a rifle season, Colorado requires at least 500 square inches of solid daylight fluorescent orange or pink above the waist, plus an orange or pink hat visible from all directions. Camo patterns don't count.
And yes, pink is legal. The elk aren't judging, and your hunting partner will spot you from the next ridge.
The lake
- Boating: rentals at the Vallecito Marina.
- Fishing: seven species and four seasons; see the fishing guide.
- Swimming: no designated beach or lifeguard; people swim near the day-use areas and quieter coves. It's cold into summer with busy boat traffic, so stay near shore and use a dive flag. More
- Kayak / SUP: rent at the marina or bring your own; a PRID reservoir permit is required (from $6/day per vehicle; SUP/kayak need only the vehicle permit). Licenses & permits
- Easier access: a wheelchair-accessible fishing pier at the marina, plus the gravel ramp and shaded tables at Old Timers Day Use (east shore). Accessibility
- Ice fishing: winter; the VCSA tournament is in February.
- Find it on the map: boat access, campgrounds, and landmarks are on the lake map.
Want it quieter? Non-motorized Lemon Reservoir is about 10 miles away. Vallecito vs Lemon, side by side (durango.org)
Camping & RV
Six U.S. Forest Service campgrounds serve the reservoir — five ring the shores, with a sixth up the Pine River drainage beyond them — mostly vault toilets and no hookups, and the good ones fill Friday morning — plus three private RV parks with full hookups. Sites, seasons, fees and a map are all on the camping guide.
Two courtesies either way: quiet hours 10 p.m.–6 a.m., and bear-secure food and coolers — locked in a hard-sided vehicle, never in the tent. More in the wildlife guide and on Respect Vallecito.
Horseback
- Vallecito Lake Outfitters: guided rides and pack trips. (970) 759-9135.
- Elk Point Lodge Stables: summer only, roughly June 1 through August 31. Booked through LSM Outdoors — call (970) 509-5875 before you plan around it.
ATV & OHV
- Altitude ATV & Side-by-Side Rentals: 32 Middle Mountain Rd · (970) 403-2260.
- Grab a USFS Columbine Ranger District Motor Vehicle Use Map before you ride — not every road is open to OHVs.
- Keep it legal: in Colorado, OHVs can't run on the county roads (no La Plata County road is designated open) — ride the Forest Service routes on the MVUM. How to ride legal at Vallecito
- Where to ride: the backcountry network behind the lake is up Middle Mountain (FR 724) — Beri ATV loop, Vallecito View, and more. Full Middle Mountain guide
Tour of Carvings
Fourteen Chad Haspels chainsaw sculptures around the lake, memorializing the 2002 Missionary Ridge Fire. Self-guided, free, year-round. Map and story at carvingsatvallecito.org.
Winter
- Cross-country skiing: ~15 km groomed by the Vallecito Nordic Club, off FR 603 below the Old Timers day-use area (PRID land-use fee).
- Snowshoeing: anywhere the snow's good.
- Ice fishing: guided trips with Fisher Guide Service, (970) 769-0669.
- Snowmobiling: on USFS roads.
Stargazing
Up at altitude with very little light pollution, Vallecito is a true dark-sky spot. Best viewing is September–November. Check the seeing forecast at ClearOutside before you go.
With little kids
Vallecito is an easy place with small children if you keep it low-key and near the shore:
- Tour of Carvings as a spotting game. Fourteen chainsaw sculptures ring the lake — hand the kids the list and let them find each one from the car. Tour of Carvings
- Easy lakeside walks. Skip the wilderness climbs and stick to the flat, gentle walking right along the water. Trails
- The marina & day-use areas. Rent a boat, kayak, or SUP at the marina, or picnic at a shaded table at Old Timers Day Use (east shore).
- Kid-friendly events. Summer brings pond evenings and a weekly children's storytime — check what's on. Events
Keep little ones close to shore with flotation (see swimming above). More on the water
Where to eat
A few options right at the lake:
- Weminuche Woodfire Grill: wood-fired pizza, full bar, live music (closed Tue).
- Country Market & La Comida Ranchera: groceries + kitchen + gas & propane (closed Tue–Wed).
Kitchens close early in the off-season — confirm on Facebook. Fuller dining is in Bayfield (~20 min) and Durango (~45 min). Full listings: Dining & Markets.
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