Vallecito Lake Spring, Durango, CO, 81301

## Overview Vallecito Lake Spring is a raw water spring located in the scenic mountain valley near Vallecito Reservoir, about 23 miles northeast of Bayfield in La Plata County, Colorado. Nestled at an elevation of roughly 7,800 feet in the foothills of the Weminuche Wilderness — Colorado's largest wilderness area — the spring sits amid towering peaks, dense stands of ponderosa pine and spruce, and the kind of dramatic San Juan Mountains scenery that draws visitors from across the country. Vallecito Reservoir itself was completed in 1941 by the Bureau of Reclamation as part of the Pine River Project, and the surrounding valley has long been a popular destination for camping, fishing, and boating. The spring takes its name from the nearby lake, which in turn derives from the Spanish word *vallecito*, meaning "little valley." The area has a rich history of use by the Ute people, who inhabited these mountain valleys for centuries before European settlement. The spring produces untreated, raw water. Visitors have historically used it as a water source, though water quality has not been independently verified and should be treated before consumption. ## Directions 1. From Durango or Bayfield, take **US Route 160** east to **County Road 501** (Vallecito Road) and turn north toward Vallecito Reservoir. 2. Follow County Road 501 for approximately 18 miles as it winds through the valley toward the lake. 3. Continue along County Road 501 past the reservoir. After passing **Potato Hill** on your left, watch for a rough side road branching to the left. 4. Take that rough road to the left to reach the spring area. 5. GPS coordinates: **37.406791, -107.55273** **Important:** The final stretch involves an unpaved, rough road that may require a high-clearance vehicle, especially in wet conditions. The area is prone to winter storms and heavy snowfall, so always check the weather forecast and road conditions before heading out. County Road 501 can be seasonally closed or difficult to navigate in winter months. ## What to Expect The spring is situated in a classic Colorado mountain valley setting surrounded by peaks of the San Juan Mountains. The landscape is lush with coniferous forest, and the nearby Vallecito Reservoir offers opportunities for boating, fishing (the lake is stocked with trout, kokanee salmon, and northern pike), and lakeside picnicking. The road to the spring becomes rough and unpaved near the end, so visitors should come prepared with an appropriate vehicle. Cell service in the Vallecito area can be spotty to nonexistent, so download offline maps or bring a printed copy of directions before you go. The surrounding area offers numerous campgrounds, hiking trailheads (including access to the Weminuche Wilderness), and lodges, making it easy to combine a visit to the spring with a longer outdoor adventure. Summer and early fall are the most accessible seasons; late fall through spring can bring significant snow and road closures at this elevation.