wildernet

Rifle Ranger District

Quick Facts

Meadow Lake Campground

Capacity:	50 People
Elevation:	9,600 Feet (2992.5 Meters)
Length of Stay:	14 Days
Number of Sites:	10
Reservation Status:	Not Accepted

General Description

Meadow Lake is located 25 miles north of New Castle, off the Buford-New Castle Road (about a 1 1/2 hour drive). Meadow Lake Campground sits north of Meadow Lake, within walking distance of the lake. Fishing is available at Meadow Lake, with a Colorado fishing license. Meadow Creek is located south of Meadow Lake. Mountain biking is available in the surrounding area. Fire rings are available at the picnic tables next to the lake. Outside the fire rings, no campfires are allowed by the lake.

Facilities:
Meadow Lake Campground offers 10 campsites. Facilities include tables, fire grates, trash disposal, a vault toilet, drinking water and trailer parking (under 16 ft.).

Meadow Lake day-use and fishing area has a boat ramp, vault toilet, and 4 picnic sites with tables and fire rings. The fishing pier is wheelchair accessible.

Directions from Rifle: Located 25 miles north of New Castle, the main access is the Buford-New Castle Road, Forest Road 245 , to Forest Road 601, to Forest Road 823.

Directions from Meeker: Meadow Lake Campground is located 28 miles east of Meeker. Take State Hwy. 13 east out of Meeker for 1 mile; turn right onto County Road 8 for 18 miles, until you come to a bridge on the right. Turn right and proceed on this road for 1 1/2 miles to a stop sign, then turn right on the Buford-New Castle Road, winding up the hill and travelling 8 miles to the Hiner Springs sign. Turn left on Forest Road 823 and travel 3 miles to Meadow Lake.

Fee Information

Type	Price	Remarks
Camping	Call for Current Fee	There are two campgrounds now

Current Conditions & Trip Reports

open as soon as roads accessible Updated: 2005-04-08 12:13:00.0

Ranger TipMeadow Lake Campground opens as soon as weather permits (usually June)

Ranger TipNo reservations. 10 sites, vault toilets, picnic table, fire rings, potable water, boat ramp and dock charge is $12.00/night. Ute trail is south of the lake easy access to the Flat Tops Wilderness from campground

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Filed By: David pettinger (Rifle, co)
Difficulty:
Number of People Encountered: 25-50 ppl
Recommend to a Friend: Highly
Report: Beautifulin every way
Conditions: Be prepared for anything ive seen it snow on the fourth of july there
Water Availability: It varys on snow fall

Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	Boating	Hand or electric powered boats only permitted on Meadow Lake.	Yes
	RV Camping	Trailers under 16 feet.	Yes
	Tent Camping		Yes
	Camping	Meadow Lake Campground	Yes
	Fishing	Meadow Lake, with Colorado fishing license.	Yes
	Mountain Biking	surrounding area	Yes

Nearby Services

Gas Station: Regional Gas Stations (Private - Profit) Directions: Approximately 42 mi. SW in Rifle and New Castle.

Groceries: Regional Supermarket (Private - Profit) Directions: Approximately 42 mi. SW in Rifle and New Castle.

Emergency: Clagget Memorial Hospital (Private - Profit) Directions: Approximately 42 mi. SW in Rifle.

Related Activities

Buford-New Castle Road - This route takes you from Buford, 22 miles east of Meeker on the White River, to New Castle, 44 miles south, on the Colorado River between Glenwood Springs and Rifle. The road is gravel.

Cliff Lake Trail - This trail begins east of Meeker, along the South Fork of the White River, near the South Fork Campground. It takes you through blue spruce, aspen, and oakbrush allowing occasional views of South Fork Canyon.

Meadow Lake - Meadow Lake is located 25 miles north of New Castle approximately a 1 1/2 hour drive on 2-wheel drive roads (in good weather). Meadow Lake offers camping, fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing, 4-wheel driving and vistas.

North Elk Trail - The North Elk Trail leads from the Buford-Newcastle Road (Forest Road 245) into the North Elk Creek drainage. It is open to motorcycles and ATVs.