Vallecito Reservoir was built in 1941, primarily for irrigation. It has since turned the upper Pine River Valley into a major destination for water-sports enthusiasts.

Seven developed campgrounds are located on the Forest close to the reservoir, with many nearby private facilities, including the full-service community of Vallecito Lake on the west side. The east side is mainly undeveloped except for Forest Service campgrounds.

Fishing can be excellent in the lake and the streams that feed it. Vallecito boasts state-record catches of northern pike and German brown trout. Licenses and supplies are sold at local stores.

Boating and water skiing are also popular. Boats and equipment rentals are available at private marinas.

Many hiking trails are located near campgrounds, leading along streams and into the high country. You can take short walks to scenic overlooks or long treks into the Weminuche Wilderness.

If you enjoy horseback riding, you can set out on most of the trails alone or join a pack trip offered by commercial outfitters.

When the snow falls, Vallecito offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing.

Vallecito Dam is about 15 miles north of Bayfield on County Road (CR) 501 (FDR 600) and 22 miles northeast of Durango on CR 240 (Florida Road) and CR 501.

As with most other campgrounds on the Forest, there are no electric, water, or sewer hookups. Commercial campgrounds nearby offer full hookups. You will find laundromats, showers, and sanitary dumping stations nearby in the Vallecito Lake community and at other resorts around the reservoir. Bayfield provides a free sanitary dumping station in its town park, on the south side of Highway 160 near the Pine River.

Old Timers

The Old Timers Campground, on the east shore of Vallecito, is I 1/2 miles from the dam on FDR 603. The elevation here and at other campgrounds near the lake is 7,900 feet. Eleven well-shaded sites provide a cool, intimate setting on a gentle hillside near the water, with an adjacent gravel boat ramp. This is a very popular area during the peak summer season, and sites fill quickly.

Graham Creek

About two miles farther north is the Graham Creek Campground, with 25 sites and a rough, natural-surface boat ramp. The hillside sites are about 100 yards from the high-water line, and offer a choice of sun or shade. Some are surrounded by large trees; others are more open. Sites are available for large RVs . Private property adjoins the south side of the campground.

North Canyon

North Canyon Campground, open only during the peak mid-summer season' is 1/2 mile north of Graham Creek. Among the 21 sites are several long, level ones suitable for large RVs. The area is a bit more open than Graham Creek but also has large ponderosa pines scattered throughout.

Pine Point

The Pine Point Campground is another half-mile north, at the upper end of the lake. It offers good views of the high, often snowcapped peaks to the northwest. The 3() shady sites include several pull-thrus and long sites for trailers and other RVs. Some are near the water, but the area is not well protected for mooring boats. A sheltered area for boats and an open play area are just south of the campground. The only commercial development on the east side of Vallecito is the resorts just north of Pine Point. They have camper services, but gasoline is not available.

The Graham Creek, North Canyon, and East Creek Trails begin near the east-side campgrounds. North Canyon and East Creek Trails are popular with horseback riders. A half-mile hike up the Graham Creek Trail will reward you with a good view of the reservoir.

Vallecito

Traveling from the dam site along the western side of Vallecito on FDR 600, you pass through the Vallecito Lake community. After about five miles, FDR 602 heads east around the upper end of the lake, and FDR 600 continues north about three miles to Vallecito Campground.

One of the largest and most popular campgrounds on the Forest, Vallecito Campground is adjacent to Vallecito Creek and the Weminuche Wilderness. At 8,000 feet above sea level, its X0 sites in four loops are shaded by stately conifers. Most sites are large and fairly level. The few by the creek are quickly occupied.

There is limited parking for the heavily used Vallecito Creek Trail, a major access point for the Wilderness, at the north end of the campground.

Additional parking and facilities for pack animal loading and unloading are near the entrance. Pack animals are not permitted in campgrounds. A spur trail leads around the campground to the main trailhead.

Because of heavy use, fishing in Vallecito Creek within the Wilderness is restricted to artificial flies and lures.

The Endlich Mesa Trail, popular with horseback riders, heads west steeply uphill to the West Mountain ridge. The trailhead is near the north end of the reservoir.

The Lake Eileen Trail begins just south of the junction of FDR 600 and FDR 602. Although this 2 1/2-mile trail has a few steep places, it is scenic and not difficult.

Middle Mountain

If you follow FDR 602 around the north end of the lake for about three miles, you'll arrive at Middle Mountain Campground, on the east shore just across the Pine River Pine Point Campground.

Middle Mountain offers 24 sites with southern exposure and easy access to the water. Some shade is provided by ponderosa pines and small aspen. A few sites can accommodate large RVs.

The Middle Mountain Road (FDR 724) leads to the upper Bear Creek drainages and Runlett Park, as well as the old mining town of Tuckerville. The Runlett Park and Tuckerville Trails at the upper end of the road access Cave Basin in the Weminuche Wilderness.

Pine River

Four miles beyond Middle Mountain, at the end of FDR 602, is the Pine River Campground and trailhead. This area is often used as a temporary base camp and parking area for hikers and backpackers. There is no water, but you may camp here free. All six campsites have outstanding views up the Pine River Valley.

Private land adjoins the campground, and there is no public access to the nearby river. Although RVs easily fit in the parking area, the campsites accommodate only tents or small RVs.

The Pine River Trail into the Weminuche Wilderness is very popular. It crosses private land for about three miles before reaching the Wilderness boundary. Please respect private property by staying on the trail, and be sure to leave gates as you find them.

Move on to San Juan National Forest Camping

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