Reed Reservoir is a quiet fishing and camping destination in the high country of Delta County, situated in the western Colorado mountains south of the Grand Mesa region. With a strong 4.8-star rating from visitors, this small reservoir consistently delivers on two fronts: solid fishing and beautiful dispersed camping in a setting that feels far from the beaten path.
Fishing is the headline activity at Reed Reservoir, and visitors describe it in emphatic terms. The reservoir holds a healthy fish population that keeps anglers coming back, and the combination of accessible shoreline and calm water makes it suitable for both bank fishing and small watercraft. Whether you are casting from the bank at dawn or working a fly rod along the edges during an evening hatch, Reed Reservoir offers the kind of productive, unhurried fishing that is becoming harder to find at more popular Colorado reservoirs.
Dispersed camping around Reed Reservoir is another major draw. Unlike managed campgrounds with numbered sites and reservation systems, the camping here is informal and spread across the surrounding forest. You can find your own spot, set up camp, and enjoy the kind of quiet that only comes with remote, uncrowded locations. The dispersed sites are well-suited for tent camping and small trailers, though amenities are minimal. There are no hookups, no showers, and no flush toilets. Pack your own water and supplies.
The surrounding landscape is classic western Colorado high country: mixed conifer and aspen forest with meadows and rolling terrain. Hiking and walking opportunities are plentiful on nearby forest roads and trails, and the area offers good bird watching and wildlife viewing. Elk and mule deer are common in the surrounding timber, particularly during early morning and evening hours.
Reed Reservoir is best accessed from late spring through early fall, with summer being the prime season for both fishing and camping. The elevation means snow can linger into May or June, and early fall brings cooler temperatures along with spectacular aspen color. Roads to the reservoir are unpaved but generally passable for most vehicles in dry conditions.
For anglers and campers looking for a low-key western Colorado destination with reliable fishing and genuine solitude, Reed Reservoir in Delta County delivers without the crowds or complexity of more developed recreation areas. It is the kind of place where you can spend a long weekend and barely see another person.