Mirror Lake

Mirror Lake is a high-altitude alpine lake in Gunnison County, reached via a rugged three-mile dirt road from the historic ghost town of Tincup, Colorado. Perched near Tincup Pass in the Sawatch Range, this remote destination rewards visitors with stunning mountain scenery, excellent trout fishing, and a genuine backcountry camping experience that feels worlds away from civilization. Reviewers describe it as one of the most beautiful spots in Colorado, with pristine surroundings, serene silence broken only by wind and wildlife, and some of the best dark sky stargazing in the state.

Reaching Mirror Lake requires a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle or ATV. The final three miles from Tincup are extremely rough, rocky, and narrow, and the road is not suitable for standard passenger cars. Part of the original road is currently submerged by the lake itself, which means visitors must navigate around the flooded section to reach the campground on the north side. ATVs and side-by-sides are common on the route, and the trail over Tincup Pass beyond the lake is a popular overlanding destination for experienced off-road enthusiasts.

Fishing at Mirror Lake targets cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout. Anglers report good fishing from the eastern shoreline and from kayaks launched directly into the lake. The water is deeper than it once was due to elevated water levels, and wind frequently ruffles the surface, so calm mirror-like reflections are less common than the name suggests. Kayaking is an excellent way to access quieter water away from the ATV traffic near shore.

The campground at Mirror Lake offers roughly ten primitive campsites with fire pits, and the sites provide solid privacy from each other despite their proximity. Facilities are minimal: there is a vault toilet but no water, no trash service, and no hookups. Small trailers can fit in a couple of the sites, but RVs over twenty feet should not attempt the road. Tent camping is the ideal setup for this location. The campground can be nearly empty during mid-September weekday visits, offering complete solitude, but summer weekends bring heavier ATV and off-road traffic that some reviewers find disruptive.

Hiking options around Mirror Lake are limited. There is no complete loop trail around the lake because avalanches and rockslides have destroyed the west side path. The eastern shoreline trail above the submerged road section is the only relatively safe walking route. The nearby Timberline Trail has significant downed trees and ATV erosion, making it rough going. Leaf peeping during fall is spectacular, with aspens reaching near-peak color around mid to late September and scattering gold across the surrounding mountainsides.

Visitors should pack in all supplies and pack out all trash because there are no services beyond the vault toilet. ATV traffic along the road can be constant during daylight hours on busy weekends, so visitors seeking quiet should plan midweek or shoulder-season trips. The night sky from Mirror Lake is extraordinary, with reviewers citing it as some of the best stargazing they have experienced. Wildlife is abundant in the area, and the combination of alpine solitude, trout fishing, and dramatic mountain scenery makes Mirror Lake a bucket-list destination for adventurous Colorado outdoors enthusiasts.