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Ruedi Reservoir

All Ruedi Reservoir Outdoor Recreation Activities

		Trip Planner
		Reservable Campgrounds

General Information

Description - Ruedi Reservoir sits in the beautiful Fryingpan River Valley. Ruedi offers a scenic area for some outstanding water and land based recreation activities. Due to its' relatively high elevation location, the water remains quite cold and the lake freezes over in the winter.

Attractions - Recreation facilities consist of 4 campgrounds accommodating 81 campsites and 2 boat-launching ramps. Surface available for recreation includes 997 acres. Game fish species available include rainbow trout, brown trout, and mackinaw trout. Facilities are closed in winter due to ice and snow.

Recreation - Primary recreation activities include camping, motorized boating, sailing, and fishing. Access is good.

Climate - This region is arid, but this doesn't mean its warm. The eastern part of the region contains mountainous terrain. Expect the weather to change frequently in the mountains with precipitation happening frequently. Temperatures can vary 40 degrees in one day; so be prepared for the worst.

The western portion of the Northwest Travel Region lies on the high Colorado Plateau. This area consists of deep canyons and exposed highlands. The climate is much like the desert; hot during the day and cool at night. Although, the summers are dusty and hot, the winters can be shockingly cold. The first snow happens in early October and the last usually happens in April.

Location - Ruedi Reservoir is located about 14 miles east of the town of Basalt in the Fryingpan River Valley. It is accessed from State Highway 82 on Fryingpan Road, Forest Service Road #104.

Current Conditions & Trip Reports

Trip Reports:
Add your own trip Report! Newly re-released feature. One of the most popular features on Wildernet, trip reports allow you to share your experiences with others. This is an invaluable resource for determining what to expect on your outdoor adventure, so please participate! To prevent spamming, you must be a registered user of Wildernet in order to submit a trip report

Filed By: Michael S. Korbas (Albuquerque, nm)
Number of People Encountered: 0-10 ppl
Recommend to a Friend: Highly
Report: On the way out of Basalt into Meredith, just past Meredith, you can stop anywhere on the roaring fork river and the stream fishing is excellent!! This is one of the best rivers that I have ever fished. A must on any trip to this part of the state for any angler. Not crowded at all. There is a dude ranch up near the top of the road where the pavement ends that has excellent fishing spots! Bring lunch as there is no where to eat. If you have the 4x4 to do it, keep going on the dirt road to Ivanhoe lake, incredible scenery and even better lake trout and kokanee salmon!!

More Information

Contact Information:
Ruedi Reservoir, U.S. Forest Service, P.O. Box 948 , Glenwood Springs, CO, 81601, Phone: 970-963-2266

Additional Information:
Aspen Area - Aspen sits at the upper end of the scenic Roaring Fork Valley, in the mountains of west-central Colorado. Aspen is a world-class ski resort, and with its mountain setting, a center for endless other outdoor recreation activities.
Basalt Area - The small town of Basalt lies at the confluence of the Roaring Fork and the Fryingpan Rivers. The nearest highway to Basalt is Colorado 82 which passes through the southern end of town.
Colorado Lakes & Reservoirs - The lakes and reservoirs included in this list range from small mountain lakes surrounded by snow capped peaks, to large reservoirs with beaches and boating facilities.
Sopris Ranger District - The Sopris Ranger District surround the communities of Carbondale, Basalt, Redstone and Marble. The District Office is located in Carbondale.

Links:
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers - Volunteer Opportunities in This Area