What activities are available at Middle Alta Lake?

Middle Alta Lake offers Fishing, Swimming, Hiking, Camping, Dog Walking.

What amenities does Middle Alta Lake have?

Middle Alta Lake has Camping Sites, Parking.

Where is Middle Alta Lake located?

Middle Alta Lake is located in San Miguel County, Colorado.

Is a permit required at Middle Alta Lake?

Permit information is not currently available. Check with the managing agency for current requirements.

Middle Alta Lake

reservoir

San Miguel County, Colorado

4.5(106 reviews)

About Middle Alta Lake

Middle Alta Lake is a high-alpine destination near Telluride in San Miguel County that rewards visitors willing to navigate its rugged access road with some of the most stunning camping and fishing scenery in southwestern Colorado. Perched at elevation with clear mountain water and views that draw comparisons to the best backcountry in the state, this lake has been a beloved retreat for generations of Colorado campers and anglers. Be prepared for the journey in: the narrow, rocky dirt road takes roughly 30 minutes from the highway and demands high-clearance vehicles, with 4WD strongly recommended, especially in wet or snowy conditions.

Fishing for rainbow trout is a major draw at Middle Alta Lake, with reviewers noting abundant fish in the clear water. The lake also serves as a swimming spot during the brief summer window when conditions allow. Camping is the primary way most visitors experience this area, with a designated campground offering sites near the lake. However, campsites tend to be closely spaced and can fill up quickly, even midweek during peak summer months. A small number of dispersed camping sites exist outside the main campground, but options are limited once the designated area reaches capacity.

The surrounding area features hiking trails that connect over the hill toward the Telluride resort area, though these trails are not always listed on popular mapping apps and may require some exploration to find. The alpine setting means weather can shift dramatically and unpredictably. Snow has been reported as late as mid-June, and road conditions at the end of May can still include significant snowpack. Winter effectively closes access to the lake, and the road itself may be gated shut during fire danger or other seasonal closures.

Portable toilets are the only restroom facilities available, and reviewers have noted they can approach overflow conditions during busy periods. There is no firewood available for gathering near the campground, as the area has been picked clean over the years. Visitors planning campfires should purchase and pack in their own wood. Cell service is surprisingly functional at the lake, which is an unexpected perk at this elevation.

Middle Alta Lake is an incredibly popular destination, and that popularity has brought challenges. Reviewers consistently mention trash, broken glass, and abandoned dog waste bags as ongoing problems. The forest service has implemented some restrictions in response. Noise from neighboring campers can carry across the sites, particularly on weekend nights. For the best experience, visiting midweek or during the shoulder season in September helps avoid the largest crowds. The access road can be reached from the Sunshine Mountain Scenic Overview when the Telluride resort side road is closed.

Reviews (10)

A W

The road up to the campsite is fully dirt road and narrow. It's a very rocky and rough terrain, it would be rough for a normal city car to drive on. Up and down traffic uses the same narrow road. It takes around 30 mins to get to the camp site from the road. It's beautiful once you get there. However, my fiance and I are planning to make multiple trip to Telluride town, so this campground is not very ideal if you have to go places.

MysteriousOklahoma

Used to camp up here on these lake in our old ford truck in the 70's. Back then there used to be group of hippies living in an old school bus on the far side of the lake. Remember lighting a camp fire, cooking some trout, listening to the howls of coyotes...while gazing at the stars. Back then you could have one of the lake all to yourself. Then things changed. Miss the old colorado of my youth.

Road from telluride resort is closed. But the road from Sunshine Mountain Scenic Overview is open. Can be done with suburu outback.

Condor Co

Stunning views and a great swimming spot. Pack out your waste

Jess Fiala

I wish I could try review this place, but right now the road is closed. Not sure if it’s due to fire danger because there were definitely barely a lot of signs about that, or what. So just check before going. Google tried to take me through mountain village on a non existent road, so the only way in is from the main highway and it’s shut pretty close to the beginnings

Ben

If you have the time to make it up the road this is a great spot to spend the night or two. The road is narrow in some spots so passing oncoming traffic may be an issue at times. Several rocky parts of the road get your vehicle bouncing side to side so make sure things inside are secure. There are nights where other campers will be having a great time and you will hear them but for the most part its reasonable.

Melissa Baynes

Really beautiful area! Great little camping spot!

Yokata Jane

We made it to the ghost town with our camper van which is not 4x4. It’s less than a mile away from the lakes. The road is alright when dry if you have enough clearance. Otherwise 4x4 only. We kinda just went for it and made it! We did attempt to go up to the lakes but there was still snow on the road (end of May) so we backed down and camped at this incredible viewpoint. That was a good decision as the next day we hiked to the lakes and there was still lots of snow and not easy to walk even. The place is fantastic. And the network connection works really well up here! (Surprise surprise) 🏔️

AT tay

Busy busy busy. Beautiful place with a low key drive but telluride wannabes ruin it by disobeying basic camp etiquette and being entitled. Go in off season to enjoy it without people crying about your presence. Ive never met someone more entitled than the "telluride local" who whined at me for taking a designated camping space at the designated campground there.

Kyle Payton

The amount of trash and broken glass here is astounding. I’ve already thrown away many handfuls. The most I have ever seen outside a recycling bin. It’s hard to attempt to pickup the glass as it becomes a never ending endeavor. Easy to see why the forest service (somewhat) cracked down on the area. Real shame for such a beautiful spot. There are nice trials over the hill to the resort but they are not on many apps. I found them via exploration.