20 Attractions to Explore Near Vallecito Dam

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Lemon Dam

Lemon Dam

7.75km from Vallecito Dam

The earthen dam is a project of the United States Bureau of Reclamation and was completed in 1963, at 284 feet high and 1,360 feet long at its crest. The dam impounds the Florida River for flood control and irrigation water storage, operated by the local Florida Water Conservancy District. 120 kW of hydroelectric power is generated here.

Lemon Reservoir

Lemon Reservoir

8.52km from Vallecito Dam

Lemon Dam is a zoned earthfill structure with a structural height of 284 feet and a crest length of 1,360 feet. This beautiful reservoir offers a wealth of incredible outdoor activities to enjoy while vacationing. The dam impounds the Florida River for flood control and irrigation water storage, operated by the local Florida Water Conservancy District. 120 kW of hydroelectric power is generated here.

Middle Mountain

Middle Mountain

11.76km from Vallecito Dam

Middle Peak is a high and prominent mountain summit in the San Miguel Mountains range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The 13,306-foot peak is located in the Lizard Head Wilderness, 17.1 miles west-southwest of the Town of Telluride, Colorado, United States, on the drainage divide separating San Juan National Forest and Dolores County from Uncompahgre National Forest and San Miguel County.

Yellowjacket Pass

Yellowjacket Pass

16.89km from Vallecito Dam

Yellowjacket Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.373m above the sea level, located in Archuleta County, in southwest Colorado, USA. It is one of the scenic route and is famous among the riders.

Bar D Chuckwagon

Bar D Chuckwagon

21.44km from Vallecito Dam

Bar D Chuckwagon are a stage performance quartet presenting a blend of Western music, cowboy poetry, and rollicking Western humor. They are based at their chuckwagon-style restaurant near Durango, Colorado, and perform there and at mostly regional venues. They have performed internationally in Japan. The Bar D Wranglers perform in concert after supper with music and songs of old west cowboys, comedy, and lively instrumentals. The show is fun for the whole family.

Graham Peak

Graham Peak

21.92km from Vallecito Dam

Graham Peak is a prominent mountain summit in the San Juan Mountains , a range of the Rocky Mountains System in southwestern Colorado hike to the top of Graham Peak assures solitude and excellent desert views. From the summit of Graham Peak you will have expansive views of the Great Basin Desert.

Pinkerton Hot Springs

Pinkerton Hot Springs

22.05km from Vallecito Dam

Pinkerton Hot Springs are nature’s gift to the tiny town of Durango. Located a few miles out of town on Highway 550, these springs were discovered in the early 1800s by James Pinkerton. The actual spot from where the water gushes out from the earth are covered by a man-made rock pile. The water’s minerals have made the rocks colourful with time.

Sheep Creek Trailhead

Sheep Creek Trailhead

22.56km from Vallecito Dam

This is a stunning half-day hike in the magnificent Kluane National Park, Yukon Territory. Enjoy this 12.9-km out-and-back trail near Destruction Bay, Yukon. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 18 min to complete. This trail is great for backpacking, hiking, and trail running, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring.

Dalton Ranch Golf Club

Dalton Ranch Golf Club

23.39km from Vallecito Dam

Dalton Ranch Golf Club is a semi – private 18 hole golf course located in the magnificent Animas Valley, north of Durango, Colorado.This isn’t only a place to get a spectacular round of golf in - the Club hosts multiple programs for children and families. Swimming lessons, pickleball, and golf classes are available for children.

San Juan National Forest

San Juan National Forest

25.01km from Vallecito Dam

The San Juan National Forest is located in southwestern Colorado and is composed of 1,867,800 acres of mainly coniferous forests and alpine meadows. Camping or hiking, you’ll have the adventure of a lifetime in the San Juans; it’s an outdoor paradise, with huge alpine peaks and endless forests. The forest contains two alpine wilderness areas; the Weminuche and South San Juan, as well as the Piedra Area. The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad passes through the National Forest.

Chicago Basin

Chicago Basin

25.98km from Vallecito Dam

Chicago Basin in the northern part of La Plata County is undoubtedly one of the premier hiking areas in Colorado. It lies within the Weminuche Wilderness, part of the San Juan National Forest. The basin is a popular destination in summer for climbers and backpackers. The standard route of access to Chicago Basin is somewhat unusual.

Jupiter Mountain

Jupiter Mountain

26.18km from Vallecito Dam

Jupiter Mountain is Colorado's 92nd highest peak. Jupiter sits at the head of Needle Creek and shares the remote Chicago Basin with four fourteeners--South Mount Eolus, North Mount Eolus, Sunlight Peak and Windom Peak--so it is an often overlooked mountain by those who venture into Chicago Basin. Jupiter Mountain also boasts some fun snow climbing on the mountain's north side. As these routes are snow climbs, they are best done in winter or spring when there's good snowpack.

Horse Mountain

Horse Mountain

26.48km from Vallecito Dam

A majestic peak in the San Juan Mountains range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. It is an isolated forest and woodland providing habitat for wildlife including mule deer, elk, golden eagles, mountain lions, bobcats, and occasionally, bald eagles. UIt is also a good trekking destination and also there is so many things to see and do.

Mount Oso

Mount Oso

26.49km from Vallecito Dam

Mount Oso is a high and prominent mountain summit in the San Juan Mountains range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The 13,690-foot peak is located in the Weminuche Wilderness of San Juan National Forest, 30.8 miles northeast of the City of Durango in La Plata County, Colorado, United States.

Hermosa Creek Trail

Hermosa Creek Trail

26.63km from Vallecito Dam

The Hermosa Creek Trail is one of the best and most popular trails in the Durango area. There are several route options including an out and back on the singletrack portion of Hermosa Creek Trail. The main trail is very obvious. You will see several trail junctions along the way, but the main Hermosa Creek Trail is always the most well-worn route.

Windom Peak

Windom Peak

27.17km from Vallecito Dam

Windom Peak is the 34th highest peak in Colorado and is part of a group of three fourteeners- Sunlight, Windom, and Eolus. The mountain was named in honor of Minnesota senator William Windom. It have a strong wilderness character; however they can be popular in summer.

Haviland Lake

Haviland Lake

27.25km from Vallecito Dam

Haviland Lake is an 80-acre, no-wake lake with excellent boating, canoeing and fishing opportunities. The campground is situated on the shore of Haviland Lake, among shady, towering ponderosa pines, at an elevation of 8,705 feet. Visitors enjoy the area for its canoeing, fishing and hiking opportunities in a scenic, natural setting. The popular campground is beautiful any time of the year.

Mount Eolus

Mount Eolus

27.6km from Vallecito Dam

Mount Eolus is a high mountain summit of the Needle Mountains range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. It is one of three fourteeners in the Needle Mountains; the others are Sunlight Peak and Windom Peak. These mountains are among the most remote of Colorado's fourteeners and have a strong wilderness character.

Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum

Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum

27.62km from Vallecito Dam

The Southern Ute Museum and Cultural Center is an iconic facility highlighting the Southern Ute people through cultural, historical, and current event exhibits. It’s found in the town of Ignacio, just a thirty minute drive southeast of Durango.The building features contemporary materials reminiscent of traditional structures and fills in missing elements in design awareness across the Western Hemisphere's Indigenous architecture. The museum also houses 1500 artifacts.

Sunlight Peak

Sunlight Peak

27.84km from Vallecito Dam

Sunlight Peak, the 39th highest, is one of three 14ers located deep in the rugged Needle Mountains of Southwestern Colorado. The standard route up Sunlight Peak is from the south, known as the "Red Couloir". It is a non-technical scramble, but achieving the top of the summit block does require an exposed rock climbing move.

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Vallecito Dam

Vallecito Dam

Vallecito Dam, Bayfield, CO 81122, USA

Vallecito Dam is on the Pine River, 18 miles northeast of Durango. The dam is a zoned earthfill structure 162 feet high and 4,010 feet long.It impounds the Los Pinos River for irrigation water storage. The dam is owned by the Bureau and is operated by the local Pine River Irrigation District. Recreational opportunities include fishing, hunting, boating, camping and hiking.