wildernet

Eagle Ranger District

Quick Facts

Sweetwater General Forest Area

Outfitters and Guides

		Satellite and Topo Map

General Description

The Sweetwater General Forest Area includes the relatively arid valley bottom around Sweetwater Lake, up to the high elevation plateaus and peaks of the Flat Tops Wilderness. Other than the Sweetwater Creek Road, which runs less than 2 miles beyond Sweetwater Lake to the Sweetwater and Turret Creek trailhead, much of the area is roadless. This trailhead is a main access point for the southwest end of the Flat Tops Wilderness. The only developed campground in the area is the Sweetwater Lake Campground. Some of the recreation opportunities in the area include hiking, horseback riding, fishing, hunting, camping, and boating in nonmotorized boats.

Directions from Eagle: Travel 12 miles west of Eagle on I-70 to Dotsero. Go north on Colorado River Road for 7 miles. Turn left onto the Sweetwater Creek Road, which leads into the Sweetwater area .

Directions from Vail: Travel 43 miles west on I-70 to Dotsero. Go north on Colorado River Road for 7 miles. Turn left onto the Sweetwater Creek Road, which leads into the Sweetwater area .

Directions from Beaver Creek: Travel 34 miles west on I-70 to Dotsero. Go north on Colorado River Road for 7 miles. Turn left onto the Sweetwater Creek Road, which leads into the Sweetwater area .

Current Conditions & 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

No trip reports filed to date. Please be the first one to do so!

Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	Electric Powered & Non-Motorized Boating		Yes
	Fishing		Yes
	Forest Areas	Sweetwater General Forest Area	Yes
	Hiking & Walking		Yes
	Hunting		Yes
	Picnicking		Yes

Related Activities

Cross Creek Trail - This trail, good for either hiking or horseback riding, begins near Sweetwater Lake and ties into the Sweetwater trail #1854.

Nellie's Trail - This relatively short and steep trail in the Sweetwater area leads from the Turret Creek Trail #1852, to the Johnny Meyers Trail #2067.

Sweetwater Lake - Sweetwater is a natural 72 acre lake at 7,709 feet , popular for fishing, boating and camping.

Sweetwater Lake Campground - This campground sits in the bottom of a deep valley at an elevation of 7,740 feet, on the edge of Sweetwater Lake.

Sweetwater Trail - This scenic trail travels up Sweetwater and Dry Sweetwater Creeks in the Flat Tops area north of Dotsero. It accesses the east side of the Flat Tops Wilderness.

Turret Creek Trail - Beginning in the Sweetwater Lake area, this trail provides good access to the Flat Tops Wilderness, and is popular for foot or horseback travel.