wildernet

Rifle Ranger District

Quick Facts

Meadow Lake

Elevation:	9,600 Feet (2992.5 Meters)
Handicapped Accessible:	Yes Accessible Fishing Pier

		Satellite and Topo Map

General Description

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). The lake sits at an elevation of 9,600 feet.

Meadow Lake offers good fishing and has a wheelchair accessible fishing pier. There is a boat ramp, but only hand and electric powered boats are permitted on the lake. Meadow Creek flows out of the lake to the south. The day use area has a picnic area with four picnic sites. These sites have tables, fire rings and a toilet. The surrounding area and the drive to Meadow Lake offers scenic views. Big game hunting is popular in the area. Meadow Lake Campground, which has 10 campsites, sits adjacent to the lake (see Camping section).

Directions from Rifle: Travel east on I-70 to New Castle. Meadow Lake is located 25 miles north of New Castle. The main access is the Buford-New Castle Road. (Follow 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.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible: Memorial Day Weekend through Fall (NOTE: Accessibility depends on snow depth and weather.) .

Fee Information

Type	Price	Remarks
camping and day use	Call for Current Fee	10 site, 16' spurs, vault toil
camping	Call for Current Fee

Current Conditions & Trip Reports

Meadow Lake is good for fishing and boating. Boats must be hand powered or with an electric motor. not accessible until late spring Updated: 2005-04-13 13:48:00.0

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Number of People Encountered: 50+ ppl
Recommend to a Friend: Highly
Report: Sunday before 4th of July 06. ATV's everywhere, large camping parties were frequent. Had a great time despite the "crowds".
Conditions: Small and infrequent snow drifts in the shade. Bring a jacket. Warning: FR 245 is washboard and dusty.

Number of People Encountered: 0-10 ppl
Recommend to a Friend: Highly
Report: I've been to Meadow Creek Reservoir (Official Name) on several occasions and never failed to have a great time! Fishing is always quite good. If flies and/or hardware should fail, use powerbait--any color/flavor works. I prefer to catch and release, cutting the line close to the fish's mouth if hook is swallowed. Game warden told me that darker colored rainbow trout are native to the lake and that there is also a respectable brook trout population.
Conditions: Usually quite temperate weather in early fall. Encountered snow and low 30-degree temperatures in late October. Fish didn't seem to mind!
Water Availability: Meadow Lake has been full every time I've visited during the past two years: 2003 and 2004.
Recommended Clothing: Layers: cold a.m. temperatures can give way to very pleasant afternoons.
Suggested Accessories: Light tackle for 10" - 14" fish.

Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	Boating	Hand powered or electric motor boats only, on Meadow Lake.	Yes
	Camping	Meadow Lake Campground, north of lake, within walking distance.	Yes
	Fishing	Meadow Lake and surrounding area.	Yes
	Four-Wheel Driving	Please refer to travel regulations on the White River National Forest Visitor Map.	Yes
	Hiking & Walking	Surrounding area.	Yes
	Horseback Riding	Surrounding area. No horses in campgrounds.	Yes
	Lakes & Reservoirs	Meadow Lake	Yes
	Mountain Biking	Surrounding area, excluding wilderness areas.	Yes
	Picnicking	The day use area has four picnic sites.	Yes
	Viewing Scenery	Meadow Lake and surrounding area.	Yes
	Viewing Wildlife	Meadow Lake and surrounding area.	Yes

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.

Meadow Lake Campground - Meadow Lake is located 25 miles north of New Castle. The campground sits north of Meadow Lake which is within walkable distance and offers great views.