Vallecito Lake
The Lush Little Valley High In The Mountains
Vallecito Lake is considered to be one of Colorado's most beautiful bodies of water and is a great destination to include in your adventure to Durango or Mesa Verde. Vallecito is a Spanish word that means ‘Little Valley' and it is nestled at 8,000 feet above sea level, surrounded by the lush San Juan National Forest.
Vallecito Lake
Vallecito Lake is a beautiful, secluded mountain valley just 18 miles from Durango. It is one of the largest and most beautiful bodies of water in Colorado. The lake has about 12 miles of shoreline and sits right in the middle of the San Juan National Forest. Staying in Durango but want to visit the lake? Try a day trip out to Vallecito Lake to check it out! You might want to spend the day on the lake or just exploring what Vallecito has to offer. It's been said that Vallecito Lake is one of Durango's best kept secrets; be sure you're not left out!
Pine River Lodge
Enjoy a heated indoor pool, huge old fashioned playground/picnic area, game room with ping pong table, pool table and piano and the most beautiful moon shimmering over the lake with a multitude of stars overhead. Vallecito also offers fishing, marinas, horseback riding, restaurants and unlimited hiking.
Pine River Lodge
Vallecito Lake Cabins
If you're looking for places to stay on the water, you should definitely consider Vallecito Lake cabins. There's plenty of waterfront property to go around! Browse some of the top lodging options next to all the fun water activities, or find a little more seclusion in the woods without sacrificing access to the lake and all it has to offer.
Vallecito Lake CabinsWhere is Vallecito Lake?
Vallecito Lake is located 18 miles from Durango, Colorado in Bayfield, CO.
Lake Vallecito is a more efficient kind of reservoir: it collects water that is flowing downhill, and solely uses gravity to distribute it to land that is downhill in La Plata County, through a series of nearly 200 miles of privately owned ditches and canals and 150 miles of laterals that were all constructed prior to the dam, which was built in 1937-1940 by the Martin Wunderlich Company of Jefferson City, Missouri, for 2.1 million dollars. In 1938 the Weston Lumber Company of Denver contracted with the government for the purchase and removal of all saleable lumber (an estimated five million board feet) from the Vallecito Reservoir site.
Interesting Historical Facts About Durango, 2013
Weminuche Grill
The Weminuche Grill menu not only changes with the season, but the day! Our signature pizza dough is home made daily and we always have our famous burgers, pastas, smoked meats, specialty dinners and salads. Come in and see what everyone is talking about.
Weminuche Grill
Things To Do in Vallecito Lake, CO
Try taking some picturesque hikes through the mountains or relax by fishing in the lake. Or simply relax on the porch on one of the many Vallecito lake cabins with a good book and a glass of wine. Enjoy a plethora of outdoor and seasonal activities at Vallecito that will keep you entertained and having fun: adults and kids alike. Here are some recommended activities in the area.
Vallecito Lake Camping: Camping at Lake Vallecito is very popular. Visitors enjoy the area for its boat rentals, hiking trail and fishing opportunities which are set amid a natural setting of ponderosa pine, gambel oak trees and aspen.
Vallecito Lake Boat Rentals: From boating, kayaking and canoeing, to paddle boarding, there are many ways to get out on the water at Lake Vallecito, Colorado. Free public boat ramp access is available, but you will need boating permit issued by the lake recreation management agency. Permits are sold at many local businesses or at the agency's office, Pine River Irrigation District (PRID). Contact them at 970-884-2558.
Vallecito Lake Fishing: Fishing is a year-round activity at Vallecito — Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall. The annual Ice Fishing Tournament is held every year during February with cash and prizes. And if you call yourself a fisherman, you should experience the salmon run, which occurs late fall, mid-November up until mid-December. Vallecito Reservoir is home to several large species of fish such as northern pike, brown and rainbow trout. Pike fishing is best from May 15 to June 15 while Browns are fished all year round. View Colorado fishing regulations here. Fishing licenses are required for any angler over the age of 16. Licenses can be purchased atvarious local businesses in Durango or online.
Vallecito Lake Hiking: Lake Vallecito has lots of great hiking trails in the area to give you the chance to clear your mind and commune with nature. There are 7 different trails to cover all skill levels of hiking difficulty with some half day hikes up to full day or several days to complete. Pick the one that best sets your pace, and enjoy the breathtaking scenery along the way.
Vallecito Lake Hunting: The wilderness surrounding Vallecito Lake and Durango area is vast, supporting a large population of wild game like elk and mule deer as well as elusive quarry such as bear and mountain lion. Durango and the Vallecito Lake region offers an array of outfitters ready to equip hunters for what many call the best elk hunting in the Western states. Your options include hunting public lands like the national forest or finding a customized experience at a game ranch. Learn more about hunting in Durango and the San Juan Mountain area.
Tour of Carvings: It's been said that the lake is one of Durango's best kept secrets; be sure you're not left out! Back in 2002, a fire destroyed a large area. Today, new growth is evident. A very unique homage can be viewed. There are several unique carvings of damaged trees near the lake. As you drive around, you will see the tree carvings which were done by artist Chad Haspels. Chad's unique carvings commemorate the firefighters, EMTs, personnel, and citizens who fought to save lives and homes during the fire of 2002.
Need more ways to enjoy your time? Vallecito Lake has many more activities you can participate in such as ATV rentals, skiing, camping, and horseback riding. You and the family will be able to fill your time with what ever your heart desires.
