How to drive the unpaved road to Heart Lake in Colorado

Heart Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.653m (11,984ft) above sea level, located in Hinsdale County, in the US state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.

Heart Lake

Where is Heart Lake?

The lake is located in the southwestern part of Colorado, within the Rio Grande National Forest.

Is the road to Heart Lake unpaved?

The road to the lake is totally unpaved. It’s called Forest Service Road 518. Note that during dry months it can be very dusty. A 4x4 vehicle is recommended.

How long is the road to Heart Lake?

Starting from Forest Service Road 516, the road to the summit is 9.17km (5.7 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 476m (1,562 ft) and the average gradient is 5.19%.

Is the road to Heart Lake open year-round?

Set high in the San Juan Mountains, the road is not plowed in winters.

 

 

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