Wolford Mountain Reservoir

Wolford Mountain Reservoir is a 1,150-acre multi-use lake near Kremmling in Grand County, offering some of the best fishing, camping, and boating in the Colorado high country. If you want a full-service reservoir experience with mountain scenery and room to spread out, Wolford delivers without the crowds you find at more famous Front Range reservoirs.

Sitting at 7,405 feet of elevation along Muddy Creek, Wolford Mountain Reservoir was completed in 1995 and is operated by the Colorado River District. The reservoir stretches across open, treeless terrain with sweeping views of the surrounding peaks and ranchland. The landscape is high-desert sagebrush rather than alpine forest, which means wide-open skies and dramatic sunsets but limited natural shade at campsites.

Fishing at Wolford Mountain Reservoir targets rainbow trout, brown trout, and kokanee salmon, with a seasonal kokanee snagging season typically running from early October through early December. Northern pike were illegally introduced to the reservoir, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife along with the Colorado River District offer a $20 cash bounty for each northern pike caught and reported. The reservoir also holds the only known reservoir population of roundtail chub in Colorado, a native minnow species. Shore fishing is productive, and a boat ramp provides access for motorized and non-motorized watercraft from mid-May through mid-October.

Wolford Campground offers 75 campsites, including both electric and non-electric options suitable for tents, trailers, and RVs up to fifth-wheel size. Amenities include a dump station, potable water, restrooms, a swim beach, a playground, and a dog-walking area. Day-use visitors pay an entrance fee, and camping reservations are recommended for summer weekends. The campground operates year-round, though some facilities close during winter months.

Boating is popular here, with wakeless and motorized boating both permitted. The boat ramp is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the May 15 through October 15 season. Afternoon winds can build quickly, so morning outings on the water tend to be calmer.

Wolford Mountain Reservoir is a strong choice for families and anglers who want a multi-day camping and fishing trip in a quieter corner of Grand County, about 90 minutes west of the Continental Divide on Highway 9.