Home Mountain Reservoir SWA - Dispersed Campsites

I always read reviews before going camping, so like others have said - do not use the coordinates on the Dyrt. Just type in "Mountain Home Reservoir" to Apple Maps and its going to take you to Ice House Rd and then you just turn in.

-stayed 1.5 nights and would have stayed the extra night but i forgot my gun ( 🤨🙄 ) and of course at 2 am i hear the "woman screaming" and it was more than likely a mountain lion. Next morning talking with another camper they saw big paw prints 😭

-i could definitely see this getting super packed on any weekend so get there early. I went on tuesday and wednesday and i had no camping neighbors but there were still a few people around the lake!

• the lake water wasnt terrible! Lots of day-fishers but i went out on my paddleboard with my dogs and it was lovely.

• i feel like you usually hear about camping to the west of CO but man southern colorado was GORGEOUS! The spanish peaks are awesome.

Would definitely go again. LOTS of trash and beer cans at my campsite though 🙄

Ok. First off this is Sunday Aug 1st,2021. The road in says private property. The directions using ice house rd are accurate from the north side. Here’s the problem. I have screen grabs from the official state of CO website. One reads that this is no longer an SWA and the other reads that it is an SWA. i uploaded a pic.

The camping area is packed dirt with odd roads - paths probably created by OHVs and jeep /4x4 trucks. Homemade rock lined fire rings.

Only come in daylight as others recommend. We had 2 different OHVs ride through our campsite. Most seem to be locals that have fun riding the perimeter of the lake. We are camped about 600yards, yes 600 yards (nice) away from others. Not big rig friendly on the north side. You need high ground clearance campers and truck in many areas. This place is best suited to small campers and tents.

It is so beautiful and free. When we drove in the sun was high and the lake appeared emerald. I would NOT drop my trailer and leave my possessions alone / unsupervised. A couple of joy riders took interest in our solar panels and setup. Just saying

We arrived here on a Sunday and neighbors around us left and it was nice and peaceful.
A couple guys pulling a boat out said they were catching fish.

Pulling a 21’ trailer on a maintained dirt road. Apparent evidence of flash flooding along side of the road but didn’t seem to effect a very packed main part. Drove in through large acre residential properties.

Watched a dark storm circle around us but no rain.

Small beautiful lake surrounded by mountains! We’re used to cold water lakes and took a dunk and it was pleasant. Disappointed to see some trash along the beach area.

We came in on Icehouse road and it took us right to the north end camping area where there is a boat ramp. We’ll have to explore how to get to the other side of the lake as there doesn’t appear a way to drive around the lake from the north side.

Yes Zapata Falls and the Great Sand Dunes fairly close; used our Senior lifetime park pass.
Ft Garland 5 miles.

Weren’t sure if this was just an overnighter but will stay a day or two more!

Only a few miles from Ft. Garland, Mountain Home Reservoir is another Colorado State Wildlife Area, but no signs saying an SWA permit is needed to camp there so not sure if you need one or not, we have it so we forgot to check. We have also bought land to build on three miles from the lake, we love this area.

There are two sides to camp on, one side has toilets, vault style, but it's more crowded on that side and less room to camp. The other side takes a little drive, but is much more open and has the mountains behind you and the lake in front of you. It gets busy on weekends, but weekdays are pretty quiet.

The water is cold, but you could swim in August if you really want to, not too cold at all. Boats are allowed, and there boat ramps on both sides of the lake from what we could see, didn't inspect the ramps, but know one works because there was a pontoon boat on the lake one day.

The weather changes by the minute it seems, and storms move over the area pretty quickly. If you don't like the weather wait five minutes, it'll change, and I'm not exaggerating. Still mostly nice weather, and normally sunny.

This is a beautiful camping area, again this is a no hook up area so pack in what you need and leave no trace. Try to camp near one of the already made fire pits, makes it easier on you and they discourage building new fire pits. If you don't want a fire then you can camp anywhere you aren't blocking a road.

Truly beautiful place to camp, you can stay 14 days in a 45 day period. RV dump and fill stations are nearby in Ft.Garland, and it's only about thirty minutes to Great Sand Dunes National Park, and Zapata Falls. Smith Reservoir is also nearby and that's another SWA we reviewed, check that one out.