Clear Creek Reservoir

Clear Creek Reservoir is an easy lake to reach between Buena Vista and Leadville. Boating, camping and fishing are available at the lake, but even more recreation exists further west on the county road.

Activities

Boating: Power boats permitted on the 407-acre lake, boat ramp and check point.

Camping: There is a big campground next to the lake with room for RV’s. Primitive camping is very easy to find by going west on County Rd 390, There is some private land at first but then the sites appear.

Fishing: Excellent boat and shore fishing for rainbow, cutthroat and brown trout. Tiger muskie and kokanee salmon are common too.

Ghost Towns: If you continue past the reservoir on Co Rd 390, you’ll reach Vicksburg in 8 miles. There’s several buildings and ruins worth stopping for. Rockdale is at 10 miles with a few cabins to see, and Winfield is at the end of the county road in 12 total miles.

Hiking: Shorter strolls can be enjoyed around the above ghost towns. For a more rigorous hike, take the 4×4 road 3 miles from Rockdale. It leads uphill to Clohesy Lake.

OHV: Clohesy Lake is a 3.2-mile, high-clearance 4×4 road, beginning in Rockdale. It then crosses 2 segments of Clear Creek. Early spring run off may make the river impassable. Camping is great at the lake. Another 4×4 lake drive is, Lake Ann, which is slightly longer and begins in Winfield.

Clear Creek Reservoir.

Fisherman floats by on a tube.

Boat ramp and check point.

Group of paddle boarders.

Looking back on the lake.

Clear Creek Reservoir Campground is next door.

National forest several miles down the County Road 390.

Primitive campsite set up too close to firepit.

Winfield ghost town.

Abandoned home in Winfield.

Cabin in the ghost town of Rockdale.

Crossing Clear Creek at Rockdale to head up to Clohesy Lake.