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Dispersed Camping

Lake Deweese state wildlife area

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Lake Deweese State Wildlife Area, near Westcliffe, Colorado, is a stunning spot for those who appreciate the beauty of nature and a bit of solitude. This area offers a chance to camp in a picturesque setting by the lake, surrounded by mountain views and plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities.

Visitors rave about the clean, beautiful sites, especially during summer nights when the new moon allows for breathtaking views of the Milky Way. If you're into fishing or hiking, you're in luck—there are great spots for both right nearby. Just be prepared for a bit of a rugged experience, as this location is more on the primitive side with pit toilets and no other amenities.

Some campers have mentioned the need for a little more upkeep, particularly regarding litter, but many still find the scenery and tranquility worth it. As one happy camper put it, “Tons of camping with varied scenery around the lake.” So, if you're looking for a peaceful escape where you can enjoy nature and maybe catch a fish or two, Lake Deweese is definitely worth checking out.

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Location

Lake Deweese state wildlife area is located in Colorado

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

38.20503089 N
105.46391628 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Connectivity

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    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
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    Verizon
    No Coverage
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    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Site Types

  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Lake Deweese state wildlife area needs a permit.

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General Info


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Reviews

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7 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 30, 2025

Close camp sites

Views were nice and plenty of spots but the spots are pretty close to each other and there was a decent amount of trash left behind. We picked up as much as we could. The reservoir is nice but signs saying no swimming due to algae.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Lake Deweese state wildlife area by Leah B., August 30, 2025
  • Review photo of Lake Deweese state wildlife area by Leah B., August 30, 2025
  • Review photo of Lake Deweese state wildlife area by Leah B., August 30, 2025
Reviewed Aug. 17, 2025

Clean area for camping

This is a great dispersed camping spot with outhouses around the lake for convenience, well kept and clean! DO NOT let kids or dogs in water, as there is a level red warning for toxic algae!!

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Lake Deweese state wildlife area by Kyli H., August 17, 2025
  • Review photo of Lake Deweese state wildlife area by Kyli H., August 17, 2025
  • Review photo of Lake Deweese state wildlife area by Kyli H., August 17, 2025
Reviewed Aug. 25, 2024

Fine for a night

The directions from this app didn’t exactly take me to the campsites. The campsites are along Lake Deweese Rd at the NE end of the reservoir. There are several sites all in very close proximity. There is virtually no privacy from neighbors but it worked from me for a night. It looked like some campers may be permanently occupying the sites.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Lake Deweese state wildlife area by Amy L., August 25, 2024
  • Review photo of Lake Deweese state wildlife area by Amy L., August 25, 2024
  • Review photo of Lake Deweese state wildlife area by Amy L., August 25, 2024
Reviewed May. 18, 2021

Beautiful, but Poorly Maintained

We stayed at a campsite here on 5/14/2021. We felt that we weren’t too close too neighbors and could stay up as late as we wanted without worrying we were keeping people awake nearby. Our campsite had trash, bb bullets, and tons of broken glass everywhere from some idiots who didn’t clean up after themselves. While it was a beautiful site, we had some concerns about the dog and our tires with the nails and glass. The reservoir is really beautiful, but again there was broken glass EVERYWHERE to the point that we couldn’t wade in the water or hang near the edge without shoes. If the glass problem (which seemed to be prevalent everywhere) was resolved we would definitely return.

There were stone fire pits (so these can’t be used when there are stage 1 fire bans), vault toilets, and while there was a stone patio table, no chairs so wouldn’t call it a “picnic table.”

Siteunsure
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Lake Deweese state wildlife area by Paige R., May 18, 2021
  • Review photo of Lake Deweese state wildlife area by Paige R., May 18, 2021
  • Review photo of Lake Deweese state wildlife area by Paige R., May 18, 2021
Reviewed Apr. 28, 2021

Great spot

Have been here many times. love it. Tons on camping with varied scenery around the lake

Reviewed Sep. 18, 2020

Beautiful

Clean, beautiful site by the lake. Summer nights during the new moon is a great time to visit. You can see the Milky Way. Nice spots for fly fishing and hiking.

Westcliffe is right up the road, a small absolutely adorable mountain town.

It’s a must see :)

Reviewed Jun. 23, 2020

Great fishing and mountain views

This is dispersed camping. There are pit toilets but no other services or amenities. Colorado State wild life areas (SWA) require a permit that’s ~$40 a year, or if you have a year fishing or hunting lisence you camp for free. The road around the lake is a little rough but we got out 25’ travel trailer back here no problem.

  • Review photo of Lake Deweese state wildlife area by Jess C., June 23, 2020
  • Review photo of Lake Deweese state wildlife area by Jess C., June 23, 2020
  • Review photo of Lake Deweese state wildlife area by Jess C., June 23, 2020

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Lake Deweese from Westcliffe, Colorado?

Lake Deweese is located a short distance from Westcliffe, Colorado. The campsites are specifically situated along Lake Deweese Road at the northeast end of the reservoir. Note that some navigation apps may not direct you precisely to the camping areas, so watch for signs to the reservoir. Westcliffe is described as an adorable mountain town that's just up the road from the lake, making it convenient for supplies and services during your stay.

Is camping allowed at Lake Deweese in Westcliffe, Colorado?

Yes, camping is allowed at Lake Deweese State Wildlife Area. This is dispersed camping with sites located primarily around the northeast end of the reservoir along Lake Deweese Road. The area requires a State Wildlife Area permit (approximately $40 annually) or a valid Colorado fishing or hunting license to camp legally. Note that camping areas offer minimal amenities - just pit toilets with no other services. The sites vary in size and can accommodate different camping setups, including travel trailers up to 25 feet.

Is Lake Deweese open for fishing?

Yes, Lake Deweese is open for fishing and is particularly noted as a good spot for fly fishing. Anglers need a valid Colorado fishing license to fish legally at this State Wildlife Area. The same permit that allows camping also covers fishing access. Be aware that there have been toxic algae warnings at times, which may affect water activities but not necessarily fishing. For the most current conditions and any fishing restrictions, check with Colorado Parks and Wildlife before your visit.

Do I need reservations for camping at Lake Deweese?

No reservations are required for camping at Lake Deweese as it's a dispersed camping area. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. However, you must have either a State Wildlife Area permit (approximately $40 per year) or a valid Colorado fishing or hunting license to camp legally. The camping areas can get busy during peak times, so arriving early, especially on weekends, is recommended to secure a preferred spot.