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.

TemperatureNormal56°FMostly sunny4:55 PM MDT · NWS Lake levelNormal42%+9.3 ft / 7 d7,635 ft surfaceSep 30, 1:00 AM MDT · USBR CampfiresNormalAllowedNo fire restrictions6:16 PM MDT · NWS · San Juan NF RoadsNormalClearto Bayfield6:15 PM MDT · CDOT / COtrip

Conditions updated 6:16 PM MDT.

Today in one line · 6:16 PM

A good evening, with a couple of things to know.

Mostly sunny and 56° now, 48° tonight. County: no fire restrictions. Forest: no restrictions. Durango route is clear; CR 501 has no sensors.

Plan your first trip Living in Vallecito

StreamflowHeads upVallecito Creek 503 cfs (a record for the date), Pine River 605 cfs flowing in5:45 PM MDT · USGS

See everything live

Offline since Aug 18Photo, not the cam

Lake cam

The lake cam is offline.

No live picture since Aug 18, and no saved frame to show. Back for ice-off. The conditions dashboard still updates every 15 minutes.

Cam status and road cameras

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