Enochs Lake is a quiet mountain getaway perched on Pinon Mesa above Grand Junction, tucked into the western slope where Mesa County meets the edge of the Uncompahgre National Forest. If you are willing to handle a bumpy dirt road and about an hour of driving from town, you will be rewarded with a peaceful alpine lake surrounded by pinon and juniper woodland, bald eagles overhead, and very few other people.
Fishing is the main draw at Enochs Lake. Colorado Parks and Wildlife stocks the lake annually with trout, and anglers also report catches of pike and perch. The north side of the lake is a local favorite for consistent bites. A valid Colorado fishing license is required, and there is no additional fee to access the lake itself. The quiet setting means you can cast from shore without competing for space, especially on weekdays.
The area around Enochs Lake offers day-use amenities including picnic tables, vault toilets, and trash facilities maintained by the Forest Service. Dogs are welcome. Dispersed camping is no longer permitted directly at the lake, but the Bureau of Land Management operates Mud Springs Campground about four miles north, where developed sites are available for a small fee. Many visitors combine a day at the lake with four-wheeling on the surrounding forest trails, which connect into a broader network open to OHVs, mountain bikes, and horses.
Getting to Enochs Lake is part of the adventure. The access road requires a high-clearance vehicle, and a true four-wheel-drive rig is recommended after recent weather. The route passes through Colorado National Monument and Glade Park before climbing to the mesa. The drive itself showcases red rock canyons, desert scrubland, and eventually the cool green of the higher elevations. If solitude, simple fishing, and rugged scenery are what you are after, Enochs Lake delivers without the crowds you will find at the Grand Mesa lakes to the east.