Rio Grande Reservoir and Road Canyon Reservoir
Aliases: Road Canyon Reservoir
The small Road Canyon Reservoir often hosts migrating diving ducks such as Ring-necked Duck, Redhead, and Lesser Scaup. Rio Grande Reservoir is the largest lake in Hinsdale County and part of the headwaters of the same Rio Grande that eventually flows between Texas and Mexico. Although it is not a great place to look for ducks, it is a beautiful body of water with an impressive backdrop of the San Juan Mountains. Large herds of elk can sometimes be seen in the meadows near the lake.
County: Hinsdale
Habitat: Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Mixed Conifer Forest
Directions: From CO 149, about 0.2 miles east of the Hinsdale/Mineral County line, turn west onto FR 520. The county line is about 1/4 mile from this intersection, marked by a fenceline to the left. Road Canyon Reservoir is four miles from CO 149 along FR 520, on the left. At 2.8 miles, bear left with FR 520 instead of going straight at mile 2.8. Rio Grande Reservoir is 11.5 miles from CO 149 along FR 520.
Delorme: 77 B7-C7, 78 B1
Roads of Colorado: 132 A1-2
Dates of Access: Open all year
Hours: Any
Ownership: US Forest Service
Admission: Free
Restrictions: None
Parking: Gravel parking pullouts
Lodging: USFS campgrounds nearby (fee)
Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: Some viewing from car
Latitude: 37.7301852
Longitude: -107.3003639
Amenities
Restrooms | No |
Drinking Fountain | No |
Gravel Trails | No |
Paved Trails | No |
Platform/Blind | No |
Boardwalk | No |
Concession | No |
Visitor Center | No |
Gift Shop | No |
Primitive | Yes |
Camping | |
Picnic | |
Hunting | Yes |
Fishing | Yes |