Located about halfway between Lake City and Gunnison, Colorado, the Lake Fork Spur scenic drive is an easy, 7-mile side trip off of the Silver Thread National Scenic Byway.

The gravel road follows the old bed of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad through a beautiful canyon of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River.

This narrow gauge railroad line was built in order to transport silver, gold, lead, and zinc ores from the mines around Lake City from 1889 to 1933.

Find an interpretive hiking loop, more hiking along the railroad bed, camping, fishing, and picnic spots along the entire length of the drive.
Lake Fork Spur scenic drive. Photo by Mary Carkin.
The Lake Fork Spur scenic drive follows the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River on the actual historic railroad bed of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. Photo by Mary Carkin.

Points of Interest Along the Lake Fork Spur

  • Fishing, rafting, kayaking in the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River.
  • Historic interpretive trail.  Part way along the Lake Fork Spur drive, there is a small pull-out. From there, take the short loop trail into some historic ruins of the cabins that railroad workers lived in while they were working on this section of rail.
  • Hiking along the final portions of the railroad bed, into the Curecanti National Recreation Area and to Blue Mesa Reservoir.
  • Camping & picnic spots at the Red Bridge Campground, at the Gateview Campground, or at primitive sites along the drive.

Lake Fork Spur Photo Tour

Click any photo below to begin.

Directions & Map to Lake Fork Spur

The Lake Fork Spur scenic drive is an easy road suitable for regular passenger vehicles.

From Lake City, head north on Highway 149 for 20 1/2 miles.  Turn north (left) onto County Road 64 (just before the mailboxes).  The Lake Fork Spur drive dead-ends in about 7 miles at the Gateview Campground. 

Vault toilets are located at Red Bridge Campground, at a campsite half-way along the route, and at the Gateview Campground at the end of the route.

Important Road Conditions Information

Weather and road conditions can change quickly in the mountains.  Always check on conditions and forecasts before heading out on your journey.

The Lake Fork Spur is closed during winter.  There is no winter maintenance of this road.

Always check on local conditions before heading out. Do not attempt to drive on un-plowed and/or un-maintained roads.

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