Top 20 Lakes in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre And Gunnison National Forests

For easy access, the Mesa Lakes Area on Grand Mesa is a popular choice, featuring several stocked reservoirs and campgrounds. Cobbett Lake, also on Grand Mesa, is situated just off the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway and offers shaded areas. In Gunnison National Forest, Blue Mesa Reservoir is easily accessible and a hub for recreation.

Yes, several lakes are great for families. Mesa Lake is a popular and family-friendly spot in Grand Mesa. Lake Irwin in Gunnison National Forest offers camping, fishing, and a flatter nature trail around the lake, making it suitable for families. Blue Mesa Reservoir also provides opportunities for swimming and picnicking on rocky beaches.

You'll find a variety of hiking trails. For example, Ward Lake on Grand Mesa features an easy 1.8-mile loop trail along its shoreline. The hike to Lower Blue Lake in Uncompahgre National Forest is a challenging but rewarding trek with breathtaking views. Near Peanut Lake in Gunnison National Forest, you can enjoy easy mountain biking and hiking on the Lower Loop Trail. For more hiking options, explore easy hikes or waterfall hikes in the region.

Many lakes offer excellent fishing. On Grand Mesa, Clear Lake and Big Creek Reservoir are known for cutthroat trout. Ward, Alexander, Hotel Twin, and Baron Lakes are also well-suited for anglers. In Uncompahgre National Forest, Silver Jack Reservoir and Beaver Lake are popular fishing spots. Blue Mesa Reservoir in Gunnison National Forest is famous for trophy-sized lake trout, Kokanee salmon, and perch.

Absolutely. Blue Mesa Reservoir in Gunnison National Forest is ideal for various boating activities, including speed boats, paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing, and windsurfing, with rentals available. Silver Jack Reservoir in Uncompahgre National Forest is perfect for kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards. Woods Lake and Trout Lake, also in Uncompahgre, are superb for non-motorized boating. Spring Creek Reservoir in Gunnison is specifically for peaceful floats on stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes as motorized boats are not permitted.

The summer months are generally ideal for visiting, offering cooler temperatures at higher altitudes like the Grand Mesa. Late summer brings alpine wildflowers. Fall is also beautiful, especially around Flowing Park Reservoir, when the surrounding forests display vibrant colors. Winter offers unique activities like ice skating and ice fishing on Blue Mesa Reservoir.

Yes, camping is a popular activity. The Mesa Lakes Area has multiple campgrounds. Ward, Alexander, Hotel Twin, and Baron Lakes offer numerous campgrounds. Cobbett Lake has an adjacent campground. In Uncompahgre National Forest, Silver Jack Reservoir and Woods Lake have nearby campgrounds. Lake Irwin in Gunnison National Forest also provides camping facilities. For dispersed camping, the area around the unnamed lake near Cataract Lake offers several spots.

The region is rich in natural beauty. Lost Lake is tucked against the rim of the Grand Mesa, surrounded by large basalt boulders. Island Lake offers breathtaking views from the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway. The Blue Lakes in Uncompahgre National Forest are renowned for their incredibly pure, serene, and clear aqua-marine sapphire waters. Near Mill Lake in Gunnison National Forest, you can find ancient marine fossils in nearby rock formations.

Yes, cycling is a popular activity. The area around Flowing Park Reservoir is suitable for cycling. Near Peanut Lake, the Lower Loop Trail is popular for easy mountain biking. For more cycling adventures, you can explore cycling routes in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests.

For those seeking solitude, Military Park and Stell Reservoirs on Grand Mesa are less frequented by fishers. Leon Lake, also on Grand Mesa, is part of a 3.8-mile out-and-back trail that can be explored by hikers, horseback riders, or mountain bikers, offering a more remote feel. Henry Lake in Gunnison National Forest is often reached via an overnight backpacking trip, rewarding visitors with clear, blue-green waters in a secluded setting.

The lakes are home to diverse wildlife. At Mesa Lake, visitors might spot fish jumping or even beavers. Many lakes are stocked with various trout species, including cutthroat, rainbow, brown, and Kokanee salmon. The forests surrounding the lakes provide habitat for deer, elk, and various bird species, especially in the more natural and less-frequented areas.