7 Lake/ River/ Ponds to Explore in Gunnison County

Blue Mesa Reservoir is the state's largest body of water, which means abundant recreation and lounge-worthy beaches.It’s 20 miles long and features 96 miles of shoreline to explore. Options for play include sailing, power boating, fishing, and water skiing. Windsurfing is popular among those looking to get a workout on the water.

Brush Creek is a great option for anyone short on time or looking for an easy, scenic hike near Crested Butte. Located 2.0 miles south of town, the trail wanders through lovely meadows along the west side of the East River. Crested Butte Mountain looms above the trail to the west while Teocalli Mountain, White Mountain, WSC Peak and nearby unnamed peaks fill the skyline to the southeast. The East River meanders down the valley floor.

Lamphier Lake is a glacial tarn that was scooped out of the surrounding rock during the last ice age. Its trailhead serves as access for Henry Mountain located in the Fossil Ridge Wilderness. The same trail also leads to Gunsight Pass. The lake is 2.77 miles from the parking area. Fossil ridge is behind the lake.

Lizard Lake is a 5-acre lake with an unknown depth along Crystal City Road. It is located within the boundaries of the White River National Forest, between Marble and the ghost town of Crystal, along Crystal City Road. The lake has views of Whitehouse Mountain, and is near Sheep Mountain and Hat Mountain. The use of motor boats is prohibited on the lake.

Quartz Creek is a stream in Gunnison County, Colorado. It rises in the Rocky Mountains above the town of Pitkin, Colorado. The stream rises in the Gunnison National Forest and is formed by the merger of the North, Middle, and South Quartz creeks. It flows through the Quartz Creek Valley and through the towns of Pitkin and Ohio City. Ironically, most of the land along Quartz Creek in the valley is privately held, so there is little public fishing there.

The Taylor Park Reservoir is a body of water created by the 1937 Taylor Park Dam, which dams the Taylor River of Colorado, United States. The dam and reservoir, located about 35 miles northeast of Gunnison, are part of the Uncompahgre Project in Colorado. Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing and boating, and abundant off-road and biking opportunities. A boat ramp is located just below the campground. Fishing and pontoon boat rentals are available at the marina.

Tomichi Creek is a relatively small waterway that mirrors US-50 for much of the way between Monarch Pass and Gunnison. The Tomichi Valley is a semi-wide valley allowing Tomichi Creek to meander and split into several waterways creating an excellent livestock range and being largely private ranch lands.Tomichi Creek State Wildlife Area is a gated public access with parking located at the east end of the runway at Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport.