At approximately 8,900 feet in elevation above Mesa County, Enochs Lake is a secluded, picturesque lake owned by the city of Fruita, Colorado. To reach Enochs Lake, drivers travel approximately one hour south of Grand Junction, through Colorado National Monument and Glade Park.
Enochs Lake is located on Piñon Mesa and neighbors the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area and the Uncompahgre National Forest.
History
Enochs Lake is one of many reservoirs developed on Piñon Mesa to supply water to western Colorado towns. Nearby, sets of manmade lakes include the Fruita, Gobbo, Mirror Lake, and King Reservoirs. Enochs Lake was constructed to hold approximately 207 acre-feet of water and has been fully drained several times.
Prior to 2018, camping was permitted in the 51 acres of land that surround Enochs Lake known as the Fruita Division. The city of Fruita voted to ban camping indefinitely after the area “became lawless.”
Activities
There are no fees to park or visit Enochs Lake. Toilets are available and the area is open daily to visitors from 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Read up on the rules of the park.
Birding and wildlife: The isolated high-elevation environment surrounding Enochs Lake is home to large populations of native bird and wildlife species which rarely leave visitors without an encounter. Bird watchers can delight in the chance to see sparrows, thrashers, hawks, jays, sapsuckers, warblers, eagles, owls, and more.
Around the shores of the lake, deer and elk can be found lurking in the aspen and pine forests.
Boating: Gas-powered motors are prohibited on Enochs Lake. Electric-motor boats and hand-propelled watercrafts such as kayaks, canoes, and standup paddleboards are permitted.
Camping: Although sites were previously available, overnight camping is no longer permitted at Enochs Lake. About 4 miles north of the lake, the Bureau of Land Management maintains many developed campsites in the Mud Springs Campground that are available for a small fee.
Fishing: A valid Colorado fishing license is required to fish in Enochs Lake. Anglers generally report good fishing as the water is stocked annually with a variety of trout, pike, and perch.
Trails: The Fruita Division of the Uncompahgre National Forest maintains a network of trails open for hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and off-road vehicle travel. The parking lot for the moderately difficult Ridge Trail #646 is located south of Enochs Lake along 18 Mile Road.
Picnicking: Picnic tables, bathrooms, and trash facilities are available for Enochs Lake visitors at no fee. Campfires are strictly prohibited and dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.
Swimming: Swimming is prohibited in Enochs Lake.
Details
Address: Enochs Lake, 18 Mile Road, Glade Park, CO 81527
Phone: 970-858-9558
Season: Year-round
Hours: 7 am – 8 pm
Fees: None
Info: Signage (PDF)
Campground: Mud Springs Campground (Google Map)
Website: fruita.org…
