Lake City/Hinsdale County Chamber of Commerce - Lake City - Southwest Colorado

Lake City/Hinsdale County Chamber of Commerce

800-569-1874

Lake City: Your Cure for the Common Crowd.
Come to a small historic town that operates at a different pace.

Welcome to Lake City, a historic mining town tucked into a valley in the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado. Our elevation is 8,671 feet. We enjoy over 300 days of sunshine every year and a cool, dry climate.

In some ways, it's a wonder that Lake City is so well preserved. Many western frontier towns succumbed to fires or were abandoned by dreamers gone bust. But Lake City remains intact, with its wood plank boardwalks, for you to enjoy. It might look like a town that time forgot, but we have lots of lively things to do, and, if you like, there are plenty of real ghost towns around us for you to explore.

SERVICES

We have many restaurants and lodging facilities, three gas stations, grocery and convenience stores, history museum, an arts council, movie theatre, retail stores, a bar, and recreation department. We have a doctor and skilled staff at our medical center, plus well-trained search and rescue and EMS technicians. High-speed internet access is available at our public library and at many local businesses.

LAKE SAN CRISTOBAL

Lake City's namesake was formed hundreds of years ago by a rare natural earth flow called the Slumgullion Slide when it blocked the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River. The second-largest natural lake in Colorado, reaching depths of up to 60 feet, Lake San Cristobal offers more than just a name. In besides a boat ramp, other recreational opportunities at the lake include: Fishing from both shore and boat, Red Mountain Gulch Day Use Area and wildlife viewing.

STARGAZING & ASTRONOMY

With the highest, clearest, and darkest night skies for hundreds of miles, Lake City stargazing is as simple as looking up from your sleeping bag or backyard. Binoculars or a telescope can bring everything even closer. For a truly special outing, go to the Windy Point Overlook just a few miles south of Lake City on Highway 149, and bring a jacket and a blanket. While the occasional fireball, or very large, bright shooting star, is known to streak across the sky every now and then, some of the best viewing occurs during any of several annual meteor showers. One of the best is the Perseid Meteor Shower, which occurs generally from the last week of July through the third week of August. Other meteor showers of note are the Orionids during the last half of October, and the Leonids during the third week of November. Of course, it is not unusual to see meteorites on any night of the year.

FISHING

Lake City is a great place to fish in solitude, or to take your family on a fishing outing. Deer Lakes is a particularly good place for teaching kids how to fish. The waters in the area are home to five varieties of trout: Brown, Cutthroat, Rainbow, Cutbow (Cutthroat/Rainbow Cross), and Brook. Different waters have different regulations and catch limits. Check the Department of Wildlife's annual fishing guide for more information. Licenses, equipment, bait, guides, and lessons are available from local fishing outfitters.

4X4, ATV, AND MOTORCYCLE DRIVING

Motorized travelers will find plenty of gorgeous scenes around Lake City. Engineer Pass and Cinnamon Pass both drop into Animas Forks, a historic mining ghost town. From there, side trips to Silverton or Ouray are possible. Side spurs lead to the ghost towns of Carson and Sherman, and to the fabulous wildflowers of American Basin. A scenic drive up Round Top Mountain, just south of Lake City, gives wonderful views of town and Lake San Cristobal. 4X4s and ATVs are available for rent from several local businesses. Motorized vehicles must stay on designated routes. Keep in mind that mountain roads are narrow and twisty; drive slowly and be courteous to others.

ALPINE LOOP NATIONAL BACK COUNTRY BYWAY

Length: 65 miles / 104.6 km; Time to Allow: 1-2 days

The Alpine Loop leaves pavement and people behind, crossing the remote, rugged, spectacular heart of the San Juan Mountains. Created by the forces of nature, these mountains, valleys, streams, and lakes now offer visitors the chance to explore the wild back country of Colorado. If height is what you are looking for, the Alpine Loop has hiking trails that access five of Colorado's "fourteener" peaks (14,000 feet or more) and Cinnamon and Engineer pass both demand a high clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicle to climb over the 12,000 plus foot passes. Pristine mountain views, hiking and biking trails, great camping opportunities, and ample solitude are some of the rewards for taking the road less traveled.

SILVER THREAD SCENIC BYWAY

Length: 75 miles / 120.7 km; Time to Allow: Allow 2 hours.

The colorful old mining camps of the Silver Thread offer history, scenic beauty, and a heavy dose of authenticity. The heights around Creede and Lake City remain strewn with abandoned mining structures, most of them accessible through rugged backcountry roads. Between the two towns, Highway 149 shadows the upper reaches of the Rio Grande, serving up a bounty of natural wonders -- sparkling North Clear Creek Falls, the Slumgullion earth slide, and the shark-like fin of Uncompahgre Peak. These mountains can be unforgiving: In 1848 explorer John C. Fremont lost a third of his men -- and a quarter of a century later the infamous Alfred Packer cannibalized his companions -- in two ill-fated winter expeditions.

WEATHER

Summer daytime highs are typically in the mid to upper 70s. Lows in the summer are in the low 40s or upper 30s. Temperatures at higher elevations are usually lower than in town. Thunderstorms are typical daily occurrences during the summer, especially during July and August. Locally, we refer to this as the "monsoon" or rainy season. It is essential to wear eye protection, a hat, and sunscreen when outdoors. The sun is many times more intense here than at sea level.

GETTING HERE

Lake City is located about 55 miles south of Gunnison on Highway 149, and 74 miles north of South Fork. The closest airports are the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC), about 1 hour away, and the Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ), about 2 hours away. Both airports have car rentals.

800 Gunnison Ave, PO Box 430, Lake City Colorado 81235; 800-569-1874.

FACILITIES

Region:

Southwest

Restaurant:

FUN THINGS TO DO

PRIMARILY YEAR ROUND ACTIVITIES

National Park OR Monument:

National Forests & BLM Lands:

Designated Historic District, Site or Plaza:

Native American Reservation/Pueblo:

Ghost Town:

Designated Scenic/Historic Byway:

Designated Hiking Trails:

Museum:

Movie Theater:

Art Gallery:

Photo Services and Supplies:

Restaurant(s):

Internet Cafe:

PRIMARILY SUMMER ACTIVITIES

Fishing in River, Stream or Creek:

Fishing in Lake, Reservoir or Pond:

Guided Fishing Trips (Licensed):

Fishing Tackle Sold:

Fly Shop:

Fishing Equipment Rentals:

Horseback Trail Rides (Guided):

Jeep Trails:

Jeep Rentals:

Jeep Tours:

4-Wheel Drive Sales & Services:

ATV (All Terrain Vehicles) & Dirt Bike Trails:

ATV (All Terrain Vehicles) & Dirt Bike Rentals:

ATV (All Terrain Vehicles) & Dirt Bike Tours:

ATV Sales & Services:

Historic/Cultural Tours:

Mountain Bike Trails:

Mountain Bike Rentals:

Waterfall Trails:

Performing Arts Theatre:

HUNTING

Hunting in Area:

Guided Hunts:

Drop Camps:

Private Land Unguided Hunting On-Site:

Rifle Hunting Season:

Archery Hunting Season:

Muzzle Loading Hunting Season:

Deer Hunting:

Elk Hunting:

Colorado Hunting Units/Areas:

WINTER ACTIVITIES

Cross Country Skiing Trails:

Snowshoe Trails:

Ice Fishing:

Snowmobile Trails:

Snowmobile Rentals:

Snowmobile Tours:

Snowmobile Sales & Services:

Ice Skating (outdoor) Skates Available:

Other Lake City Area Listings

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Copyright by The Colorado Directory, Inc. This is a directory only; it is not and does not contain a recommendation,warranty, guaranty, inducement or endorsement of any kind. Representations herein were supplied by the individual businesses. The publisher, The Colorado Directory, Inc., does not assume any responsibility for truth, falsity or completeness of any representation made herein or any errors, changes, services rendered, or changes made in the use of this directory. This information was compiled as accurately as possible. Prices and services are frequently subject to change. Errors called to the publisher's attention will be corrected in the future. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Lake City/Hinsdale County Chamber of Commerce - Lake City - Southwest Colorado

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Lake City/Hinsdale County Chamber of Commerce

800-569-1874