Lake City - Southwest Colorado

Includes Powderhorn

Lake City, Colorado, Colorado Vacation Directory

Experience Lake City and Powderhorn, Colorado

Lake City is home to several 14,000' mountain peaks; Uncompahgre, Sunshine, Handies, Red Cloud and Wetterhorn. Tucked into the grassy canyon where Henson Creek and the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River meet, Lake City is the perfect hub for your southwest Colorado vacation.

Lake City - A Picturesque Mountain Town

Uncompahgre Peak near Lake City, Colorado

Uncompahgre Peak - 14,309'

Explore the historical Victorian charm of downtown with over 75 buildings from the late 1800s - one of Colorado's largest historical districts. Both Henson and Capitol City are old ghost towns located less than 10 miles west of Lake City.

One story refuses to disappear from history; in 1874, Alfred Packer guided some prospectors through the nearby snow-covered mountains. Six weeks later, he appeared 76 miles to the northeast alone with a beard and long hair. He claimed to have survived on roots and berries but Packer was accused of murder and cannibalism and sentenced to hang in 1883 at Lake City's courthouse. Packer got off on a legality of an unconstitutional trial and ended up only serving 5 years in jail.

Hike in one of the National Forests that surround Lake City: Uncompahgre or Gunnison. Or try a stretch of The Colorado Trail running along the southwest side in Gunnison National Forest.

Lake City is lucky in that two wonderful Scenic Byways run through it. The Alpine Loop Backcountry Scenic Byway begins in town and runs through Ouray and then on to Silverton on 65 miles of dirt and gravel roads. The backcountry byway has some of the most stunning four-wheel driving in the world! The Silver Thread Scenic and Historic Byway ribbons through the communities of South Fork, Wagon Wheel Gap, Creede, Lake City, and Powderhorn until it connects with Highway 50. Once a toll road and stage route for miners, it is now a 75-mile paved highway.

Lake San Cristobal is Colorado's 2nd Largest Natural Lake

Slumgullion Earthflow, Lake City, Colorado

The Slumgullion Earthflow Created Lake San Cristobal Around 700 Years Ago

Water activities: Fish for trout in the Blue Mesa Reservoir, Gunnison River or other places around Lake City; raft along the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River; try boating on spectacular Lake San Cristobal, Colorado's 2nd largest natural lake created by the Slumgullion Earthflow. About 700 years ago, a mass of earth material began sliding down toward the valley and dammed up Lake San Cristobal. It was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1983 and still continues to move about 7 meters each year.

Some other awesome outdoor activities include Jeeping/ATVing or snowmobiling to the east and west of Lake City.

Driving Directions and Location: Lake City and Powderhorn, Colorado

Lake City is 140 miles north of the Colorado-New Mexico border and sits between Gunnison and South Fork along Highway 149. Powderhorn is 30 miles north of Lake City.

Commercial air travel accommodations are handled by three different regional airports: the Gunnison-Crested Butte Airport; the Montrose Municipal Airport; and the Durango - La Plata County Airport. Please contact your preferred travel agent or airline for flight arrangements. Lake City is 54 miles southwest of Gunnison; 102 miles northeast from Montrose; and 170 miles northeast of Durango.

Lake City is near: Creede & Gunnison Area

Premium Lake City Businesses

Oleo Ranch - A SIlverhook Ranch - Colorado Vacation Cabins
Each log vacation cabin at Oleo Ranch has its own privacy. Cebolla Creek trout fishing on-site. In the Mountains between Creede and Lake City, Colorado. PETS WELCOME when in designated cabins.

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Featured Lake City Businesses

Alpine Moose Lodge and Cookhouse 14
Spacious lodge rooms, recently upgraded, in Lake City some with king bed. Alpine Moose has best view of the mountains above our historic town. Grill Restaurant Cookhouse has down to earth, everyday food.

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Alpine Village - Historic Log Cabin Rentals
Unwind in our quiet alpine village in Lake City. Romantic getaway or family vacation. Historic log cabin rentals. 1- or 2- bedrooms with kitchenette. On top of the Rockies: fish, hike, ATV, Jeep. WiFi. Smart TV.

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Castle Lakes Campground and Cabins
South of Lake City with a forested mountain setting, overlooking 2 private Castle Lakes: log cabins, RV hookups, tent campground. On Cinnamon Pass Road, along Alpine Backcountry Byway. Good WiFi.

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G&M Cabins - Downtown Lake City
Visit ghost towns on top of the world, G&M Mountain Cabins have direct access for OHVs to the Alpine Loop! Stay in Lake City CO walk to downtown shops, restaurants, river fishing. WiFi and DirecTV with HD.

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Sportsman Fly Shop, Fly-Fishing Trips and Shuttle Service
In Lake City 50+ years! Full Service Outdoors Stop: Pro Fly Shop, fishing guides - beginners to advanced, sportsman equipment rentals, trail maps. Shuttle service. Soaring mountains, clear streams, wildlife!

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Texan Resort Estates Cabins
A vacation village with a river running through it, in Lake City! Estates cabin and home rentals near Granite Falls in the San Juan Mountains. The Texan offers traditional Western Hospitality, est 1946.

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Wagon Wheel Cabins - Your Home On The Road
Mountain rustic meets simple modern when you vacation at Wagon Wheel Cabins: WiFi, DirecTV, ATV trailer parking, comfortable beds. In Lake City, walking distance to everything. Non-smoking. Pet friendly.

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Woodlake Park Campground and Cabins
Uncrowded BIG RIG Park! Pull-thru, full hookup RV sites. A tenters Campground. Rentals: Cabins and a vacation home. Woodlake is along Silver Thread Scenic Byway, near Lake City and Alpine Loop Byway.

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