Rainbow Lake

Rainbow Lake rests in a high-country basin within the Gunnison National Forest, roughly 15 miles north of Blue Mesa Reservoir and about an hour's drive from the town of Gunnison. The lake sits near the boundary of the West Elk Wilderness, surrounded by dense spruce-fir forest and open meadows that turn golden with late-summer wildflowers. Access comes via Rainbow Lake Road (County Road 724), a well-maintained dirt road that climbs steadily through rolling ranch land before entering the national forest.

Visitors consistently praise the sense of solitude here. With no entrance fees and dispersed camping available along the approach road, Rainbow Lake draws a self-reliant crowd looking to trade convenience for quiet. The shoreline is ringed with subalpine conifers that drop right to the water, and anglers report brook trout and rainbow trout in the lake, though catch rates vary year to year. A basic hand-carry put-in allows small inflatable boats, kayaks, and canoes, and the calm surface makes for relaxed paddling on windless mornings.

Free dispersed camping is one of the biggest draws. There are no formal campground amenities such as picnic tables, fire grates, or vault toilets at the lake itself, so visitors should pack in everything they need and carry out all waste. Cell service is essentially nonexistent. Birdsong and the occasional passing elk are the primary soundtrack. For anglers or paddlers who want a more developed base camp, Blue Mesa Reservoir and the Elk Creek and Lake Fork campgrounds are within an hour to the south, offering full facilities and marina access.