Vallecito Lake
A casual drive out to Vallecito Lake might just become the highlight of your Durango experience. Beautiful Vallecito Lake is only 18 miles away from the city center of Downtown Durango. Allow about an hour for the car trip. Mountains completely surround this pristine lake, because the San Juan National Forest surrounds this lake on all sides. Many of the mountain peaks will be capped with snow even during summer months. Visitors are impressed at the variety of restaurants, wonderful marinas, campgrounds, and vacation cabins. This is a great place to escape the heat of summer and do some fishing or enjoy a few water sports. Vallecito Lake is a great place to rent a pontoon boat, fishing equipment, and skis. Visitors also enjoy the horseback riding options near the lake.
One of the top highlights of a scenic drive to the Vallecito Lake region is the intricate tree carvings by Chad Haspels. Each of Chad's carvings commemorate the firefighters, EMTs, personnel, and citizens who fought to save lives and homes during a 2002 fire that destroyed many acres surrounding the lake. 
Brides and grooms appreciate the scenic backdrop of the of the San Juan Mountains, and decide to get married at Vallecito Lake. This scenic lakefront town boasts a new community center located at the northwest end of Vallecito Lake. Located at 17252 County Road 501, this facility is one of the newest and most modern event venues in the Four Corners region. It is one of very few locations on the shore of this beautiful lake. Durango is your best bet for wedding services, such as restaurants that cater, photographers, and wedding planners. 
Build a few days into your vacation schedule for daytripping to Vallecito Lake and surrounding areas. You will be impressed by the variety of guest ranches, campgrounds, lodges, and marinas.
Categories: San Juan National Forest
Tags: fishing Chad Haspels carvings weddings scenic drive Durango daytrip
i love colorado and durango as well as being my birth place is and always will be my favorite area as im sure is true for alot of others............ its so sad that the areas citizens,seasoned visitors and repeat visitors have almost seemingly forgotten the well loved virginias steakhouse and cabins vallecita(vallecito)(depending on where your hearts closest to i suppose )lake .... its one of colorados more serene but fun and exciting places i hate to see it dissapear..its not only a great place to eat , have a few beers and visit but fishing camping hunting and sight seeing
Reply to this