Trujillo Meadows Reservoir

Trujillo Meadows Reservoir occupies 69 surface acres at 10,023 feet in the Rio Grande National Forest, near the Colorado-New Mexico border in Conejos County. This is deep southern Colorado backcountry, the kind of place where you can fish for hours without seeing another person and the only sounds are wind through spruce trees and the occasional splash of a trout rising. The reservoir sits in a broad subalpine meadow surrounded by the peaks of the San Juan Mountains, and the scenery alone justifies the drive down the gravel forest roads that lead here.

Fishing is the primary reason people make the trip to Trujillo Meadows. The reservoir holds healthy populations of rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook trout, and visitors regularly report fast action with double-digit catches in a single outing. Bank fishing access is easy and plentiful around much of the shoreline, making this a productive spot for anglers who prefer to fish from shore. A boat ramp accommodates small motorized and non-motorized watercraft, so you can troll or paddle to deeper water when the fish are not cooperating from the bank.

The adjacent Trujillo Meadows Campground is split into upper and lower sections with a total of 50 sites. Each site includes a picnic table, fire ring, and ample parking. Vault toilets are available, and the campground is set in a forested area above the reservoir with easy walking access to the water. The campground operates from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day, weather permitting.

Because Trujillo Meadows Reservoir is designated as a Colorado State Wildlife Area, a valid hunting or fishing license or SWA pass is required for everyone 16 and older who enters the area. This requirement, combined with the remote location, keeps visitor numbers manageable and preserves the quiet, uncrowded character that regulars prize.

The surrounding national forest offers additional hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities. The reservoir and its meadow setting attract birds and other wildlife, and the fall color season paints the surrounding aspen stands in brilliant gold. Water levels can fluctuate significantly depending on the year, so check current conditions before planning a trip. Even when the reservoir is drawn down, the setting remains beautiful and the fishing can still be productive in the remaining water.