Meadow Creek Lake is the kind of place that makes you forget how close civilization really is. Sitting high in the White River National Forest in Garfield County, this roughly 59-acre mountain lake rewards the drive up its winding dirt road with solitude, solid trout fishing, and the kind of scenery that people frame and hang on their walls.
The lake rests in a forested basin surrounded by spruce and fir trees, with wildflowers carpeting the meadows during summer months. Wildlife sightings are common along the drive in and around the shoreline. Visitors regularly report seeing deer, elk, and various mountain birds on the approach road and near the water. The setting feels genuinely remote even though the lake is accessible by passenger car on the Forest Service road, though the route is winding and unpaved.
Fishing is the primary draw at Meadow Creek Lake. The lake holds healthy populations of rainbow trout, brook trout, and brown trout. Colorado Parks and Wildlife stocks the lake with rainbow trout, and the brook trout population reproduces naturally in the feeder streams. Panther Martin spinners and PowerBait are local favorites among bait anglers, while fly fishers find success with standard nymph and dry fly patterns during summer hatches. The fishing pressure stays low compared to Front Range lakes, which means the fish tend to be less wary and more willing to bite.
Camping near Meadow Creek Lake gives you a few solid options. An older campground near the lake has around 10 sites, and a newer campground on the east side provides approximately 20 additional sites. Dispersed camping along the four-mile stretch of Forest Service road leading to the lake offers free alternatives for those comfortable with more primitive setups. The campgrounds provide a genuine backcountry feel without requiring a long hike to reach your site.
A vault toilet and picnic area sit near the lake, but no potable water is available, so bring your own. Several boat launch access points make it easy to get a canoe, kayak, or small inflatable onto the water. The lake is calm enough for paddling most mornings before afternoon winds pick up.
Meadow Creek Lake works well as either a day trip from the Glenwood Springs area or a multi-day camping destination. Families return year after year, drawn by the combination of productive fishing, quiet campsites, and a mountain lake setting that feels far more secluded than many of Colorado's more famous high-country reservoirs. The fall season brings golden aspen color to the surrounding hillsides, making September and early October especially scenic times to visit.