Meadow Creek Lake hides in the White River National Forest above Garfield County, a 59-acre mountain lake ringed by spruce and fir that feels a world away from the I-70 corridor below. The winding dirt road from New Castle keeps the crowds thin and the fishing honest, making this a favorite getaway for Front Range anglers and families looking for a quieter Colorado camping experience.
Trout fishing is the main draw at Meadow Creek Lake. Rainbow trout, brook trout, and brown trout all swim these cold, clear waters, and the lake receives periodic stockings from Colorado Parks and Wildlife to keep the catch rates healthy. Small spinners, spoons, and flies all produce results, and shore fishing is accessible from several points around the lake. A public boat launch allows small watercraft, though the lake's modest size and remote setting naturally discourage anything bigger than a canoe or kayak. Float tubes are popular with fly fishers working the deeper pockets.
Two campgrounds serve the lake. The original campground on the west side has 10 established sites, while a newer campground on the east shore added 20 more, giving you 30 total spots with picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. Camping runs around 15 dollars per night, and sites fill on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early on Friday gives you the best selection during summer weekends. There is no potable water at the campgrounds, so pack in everything you need.
The surrounding forest opens up solid hiking and wildlife watching opportunities. Deer, elk, and a rotating cast of mountain birds frequent the meadows and timber edges around the lake. Wildflowers carpet the clearings from late June through July, and fall brings golden aspen displays on the drive in. The road to Meadow Creek Lake is passable by passenger car in dry conditions, but a vehicle with decent clearance handles the washboard sections more comfortably.
Meadow Creek Lake sits at roughly 9,000 feet, so the season runs from late May or early June through September, depending on snowpack. Summer daytime temperatures range from the mid-40s to mid-70s, and nights drop into the 30s even in July. Bring layers and be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms that roll through the high country with little warning.