Surrounded by national forest lands, this reservoir offers visitors incredible scenery and abundant outdoor recreational activities.
In This Article
Vallecito Reservoir has something for every water sports enthusiast, from kayaking to jet skiing. Its calm, protected coves are ideal for paddleboarding and kayaking, while the wide open middle sections allow powerboats and water skiers to stretch out at full speed. Vallecito Reservoir also provides excellent trout fishing with cold, clear waters from mountain snowmelt.
In addition to its wealth of watersports, the area surrounding Vallecito Reservoir features extensive hiking and ATV trails, plentiful wildlife viewing, and charming small mountain towns. The lake offers a range of lakefront accommodations, from rustic cabins to group lodges, along with marinas providing boat rentals and parking.
Vallecito Reservoir appeals to visitors year-round, with popular summer events and activities giving way to winter skiing and snowmobiling adventures once the snow starts falling. Its secluded location and wealth of outdoor recreation cement its reputation as a premier destination for boating enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers, and nature lovers alike.
TL;DR
- Vallecito Reservoir offers pristine high alpine scenery and some of Colorado's best lake boating opportunities.
- Activities include watersports like jet skiing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and excellent fishing.
- Surrounding areas provide hiking, ATV trails, wildlife viewing, rustic lodging, and charming mountain towns.
- The lake appeals to visitors year-round with summer watersports and winter skiing adventures.
Destination Overview
Vallecito Reservoir lies in southwest Colorado, roughly 30 miles northeast of Durango, situated at over 8,000 feet elevation within San Juan National Forest. It’s also referred to as Vallecito Lake, although it’s not to be confused with the other Vallecito Lake, a smaller Colorado lake farther north in a remote location. The Vallecito Reservoir Lake and surrounding areas check all the boxes for the quintessential alpine getaway, with densely forested hillsides, snow-capped peaks, and abundant wildlife, from mule deer to black bears.
Created in the 1940s by constructing the Vallecito Dam on Vallecito Creek, the reservoir flooded a high mountain valley to generate hydroelectric power. Today, the Vallecito Reservoir’s cold clear waters provide visitors with a boating playground while supporting healthy lake and rainbow trout populations.
Surrounding public lands offer nearly limitless opportunities for outdoor recreation. The national forest contains hundreds of miles of hiking and ATV trails, while the lake serves up scenic vistas along its 20 miles of forested shoreline. The nearby town of Bayfield provides easy access to amenities and services.
Vallecito Reservoir’s unique combination of attributes – from its stunning high mountain scenery to its wealth of recreational opportunities – make it an ideal destination for lake enthusiasts seeking beautiful and exciting boating experiences.
Local Experiences and Culture
While Vallecito Reservoir lies off the beaten path, visitors can still connect with local culture through authentic arts and crafts, community events, and the area’s Native American heritage. The lake area has a rich Native history, once serving as summer hunting grounds and fishing spots for tribes like the Utes. Many relics and petroglyphs can still be found, and the Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum in nearby Ignacio provides excellent insight into regional native cultures.
Local communities host events throughout the summer, like Bayfield’s Pine River Valley Festival and Durango’s Stars, Stripes, and Summer. Visitors can peruse arts, crafts, and food from area vendors while listening to live music. Bayfield also holds farmer’s markets during summer, offering local produce, baked goods, and arts and crafts.
Visitors can sample regional cuisine at local restaurants featuring game meats, trout dishes, green chiles, and Mexican-inspired meals. Be sure to also try the many varieties of regional microbrews and ciders.
Interacting with shop owners in places like Bayfield and Durango provides opportunities to gain insights into local history and recommendations for favorite area activities. Guided fishing or kayaking tours are also great ways to connect with knowledgeable locals who can share their passion for the area.
Accommodations and Amenities
Vallecito Reservoir offers a variety of lodging options to visitors, ranging from lakefront cabins to conveniently located hotels. Groups and families can also consider staying at one of the lake’s marinas, which provide boat slips and overnight guest rooms or suites.
Lake Vallecito vacation home rentals range from rustic and cozy to luxurious and well-appointed. Many feature lake views, multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, full kitchens, outdoor living spaces, and amenities like hot tubs. Larger cabins can accommodate groups of up to 16 guests.
Nearby towns also offer motel rooms and cabins for overnight guests. Lake campgrounds like Graham Creek, North Canyon, Middle Mountain, and Pine Point Campground provide tent and RV sites, restrooms, and showers.
There’s no shortage of opportunities to find a place to stay with a lake view
Outdoor Adventures and Activities
Vallecito Reservoir becomes a hub of outdoor recreation and adventure during the summer. Visitors flock to the area to enjoy popular warm-weather activities like boating, paddle sports, hiking, ATV riding, camping, and wildlife viewing.
Watersports reign supreme during summer, as visitors take to kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, jet skis, and power boats to enjoy the lake’s scenic coves and inlets. Vallecito Marina offers seasonal rentals for small craft like kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Jet ski and power boat rentals are also available from outfitters like Vallecito Reservoir Cabin Rentals and Happy Camper Marina.
Beyond the lake, visitors enjoy hiking and biking the extensive trail network threading through the national forest and Weminuche Wilderness Area. Trails cater to all ability levels, ranging from easy nature walks to challenging uphill treks leading to panoramic views. The area also contains over 200 miles of marked ATV trails traversing wooded hillsides and mountain vistas.
Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, especially in the early mornings and evenings when animals are most active. Deer, elk, black bears, and even moose can occasionally be spotted. Over 200 species of birds also inhabit the area, including several varieties of eagles, hawks, and owls.
Fishing and Boating
As a high mountain reservoir formed by Vallecito Dam, Vallecito Reservoir supports abundant cold-water fish species that draw anglers from across the region. Its clear waters contain healthy lake trout, rainbow trout, and kokanee salmon populations.
The lake offers some of the best lake trout fishing in the state, with the potential to catch trout over 10 pounds. The best fishing typically occurs in spring and fall when trout are most active, but anglers can find success year-round by targeting varying depths. Both shore fishing and boat fishing produce excellent catches.
Visitors have their pick of boat launches located around the lake, with Elk Creek and Pine Point on the east shore and Campark and Happy Camper on the west shore. Marinas like Elk Creek, Happy Camper, and Campark Resort rent power boats, pontoons, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. Vallecito Lake Cabin Rentals also provides jet ski rentals and guided fishing trips.
Boaters can explore the lake’s many scenic coves and inlets, head to the middle of the lake to put wakeboard boats through their paces, or simply relax with lines in the water, hoping to catch the next big trout. The lake contains two protected no-wake areas to provide calm waters for small craft like kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.
Family and Group Activities
From exciting watersports to leisurely picnics, Vallecito Reservoir offers many family-friendly activities perfect for visitors of all ages. The lake also provides several group lodging options and shared event facilities to accommodate larger parties.
Families with kids will appreciate Vallecito Reservoir’s two protected coves that create calm conditions perfect for novice kayakers and stand-up paddle boarders. Sandy beaches provide lake access for swimming, wading, and room to relax or play yard games. Picnic areas have tables, grills, and stunning lake views.
Many lake cabins cater to families and groups by providing multiple bedrooms, bunk rooms for kids, game rooms, hot tubs, outdoor patios with grills and fire pits, and even boat slips. Larger cabins can sleep up to 16 guests, making them perfect for large families, company retreats, and group getaways.
Visitors can also inquire with the Vallecito Marina & Yacht Club about reserving boat slips and parking for privately owned power boats and jet skis.
Seasonal Events and Attractions
While summer might seem like high season at Vallecito Reservoir, the area offers plenty of seasonal events and activities to keep visitors entertained year-round.
Summertime brings popular events like Bayfield’s Pine River Valley Festival in early August, which features live music, arts and crafts vendors, and local food. The 4th of July festivities incorporate boat parades and fireworks over the lake.
The area contains numerous parks with picnic shelters, tables, grills, and lake access. Visitors enjoy grilling lunch while enjoying gorgeous views of Vallecito Reservoir and the surrounding mountains. Many lake cabins also have outdoor patios with grills and fire pits.
Once winter arrives, seasonal activities shift to snow-based adventures like skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling in the forests and peaks surrounding Vallecito Reservoir.
The national forest contains diverse wildlife habitats, from marshy wetlands to dense aspen groves, mixed conifer forests, and wide open meadows. Deer, elk, and black bears roam the hillsides, while the lake provides a habitat for cold-water trout species. Over 200 species of birds inhabit the area, including several types of eagles.
From easy nature walks to rigorous uphill treks, hiking trails cater to all ability levels while delivering gorgeous high-altitude scenery. Vallecito Creek Trail and Middle Mountain Trail provide excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.
The lake itself serves up beautiful vistas along its 20 miles of shoreline. Visitors can soak in panoramic views of the La Plata and San Juan Mountain ranges rising dramatically from the lakeshore. Scenic outlooks make perfect backdrops for family photos.
Come nighttime, Vallecito Reservoir’s location, far from city lights, provides awesome stargazing opportunities. The area’s high elevation and low humidity make for perfect conditions to gaze upon thousands of glittering stars against the black mountain sky.
FAQ
The following FAQs provide information you should know before boating at Vallecito Reservoir.
How do I get to Vallecito Reservoir?
From downtown Durango, take US-240 northeast for about 17 miles, then turn onto County Road 501, which leads to Vallecito Reservoir. The drive takes roughly 30 minutes. Bayfield also provides easy access to Vallecito Reservoir, about 20 minutes from downtown.
Where can I launch motor boats or jet skis?
Public boat launches are located at Vallecito Marina & Yacht Club. At Pine Point Campground, there’s a spot that’s only for launching hand-carried watercraft.
Where can I rent boats, jet skis, or kayaks?
Vallecito Marina & Yacht Club offers seasonal rentals for motor boats, pontoon boats, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and jet skis. You can also get boat rentals in Vallecito and Bayfield.
Are there hiking trails near Vallecito Reservoir?
Yes, the national forest surrounding the lake contains hundreds of miles of hiking trails, from easy nature walks to challenging uphill treks with rewarding views. Popular trails include Vallecito Creek and Middle Mountain.
Where can I get fishing licenses and tackle?
Fishing licenses can be purchased online or from marinas that sell bait, tackle, and fishing gear. You can also book a trip with a local fishing guide service that provides all the necessary equipment.
Are pets allowed at Vallecito Reservoir lodging?
Pet policies vary across different lodging options. Many lakefront cabin rentals allow pets, and campgrounds also permit pets. Travelers should inquire directly with lodging owners about specific pet policies when booking.
What is there to do during winter at Vallecito Reservoir?
Once winter arrives, activities shift to snow-based adventures like skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling in the forests and peaks surrounding Vallecito Reservoir.
