Molas Lake

Molas Lake rests at approximately 10,500 feet along the Million Dollar Highway between Silverton and Durango, making it one of the most photogenic stops in Colorado's San Juan Mountains. The lake is operated as a park and campground by the Town of Silverton, and visitors who pull over for a quick look often end up staying for hours once they see the alpine panorama reflected in the water. Snow-capped peaks rise in every direction, and the early-summer combination of lingering snowfields above and green meadows below has earned Molas Lake comparisons to the famous lakes of Glacier National Park.

Fishing is a major draw here. Rainbow trout and brown trout inhabit the lake, and anglers can fish from shore or from a kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Fly fishing from a SUP has become especially popular, and the Molas Lake Store rents kayaks, paddleboards, and a rowboat for visitors who did not bring their own watercraft. Powerbait in red or yellow works well for shore fishing, though you will want to cast deep and reel in quickly near the weedy shallows. A fish cleaning station is available on site.

The campground offers 62 sites that accommodate everything from solo tents to large RVs. Premium lakeside spots provide direct water views but are exposed to sun and wind, so bring a canopy or tarp for shade. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Vault toilets are spaced throughout the campground, and hot showers are available for a small fee. A camp store stocks essentials and is run by friendly, helpful staff who know the area well. Quiet hours are enforced and respected.

Molas Lake is also a gateway to outstanding hiking. The Colorado Trail passes nearby, and the Molas Trail descends toward Elk Creek and the Animas River, connecting to the Weminuche Wilderness. The night sky here, far from city light pollution, is among the darkest and most spectacular you will find at any Colorado campground.

The campground is open from approximately June 1 through September 30, and sites book quickly once reservations open in January. If you are driving the Million Dollar Highway between Ouray and Durango, stopping at Molas Lake is not optional. It is one of those places that lives up to every superlative visitors throw at it.