Mountain Home Reservoir is a stocked-trout lake with camping

Mountain Home Reservoir lies east of Fort Garland, where the valley floor starts to rise toward the mountains. It is a State Wildlife Area managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and the draw here is trout. The state describes it as an irrigation reservoir that gets stocked with trout through the summer, and it stays open for ice fishing once it freezes in winter.

Because it is a working irrigation reservoir, the water level can rise and fall through the season as water is stored and released. There is a boat ramp, but creating a whitewater wake is not allowed, so this is a calm-water place rather than a spot for fast boating.

Camping is allowed only in the designated areas, and fires are allowed only inside the established fire structures in those camping spots. Dogs must be leashed and under control unless they are helping with hunting. And here, as at most State Wildlife Areas, anyone 16 or older needs a hunting or fishing license or an SWA pass to be on the property.

Before heading out, check current stocking, ice conditions, and rules on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife page for Mountain Home Reservoir.