Tranquil Wellington Lake is nestled in the rolling pine forests south of Bailey. A well-recognized rocky peak called The Castle adds to the scenic backdrop of this inviting location. Wellington Lake is 12 miles south of Bailey on County Road 68. It is also quite close to the Buffalo Creek mountain bike trail network, and makes for a nice post-ride excursion after a day in the saddle.
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| Wellington Lake and The Castle |
Starting June 2021, Wellington Lake will be implementing an online reservation-only system for summertime day use, accessed here. Camping is also available at the lake and can be reserved online as well. However, sites may book up quickly in the summer due to the lake's popularity. Dispersed camping is also permitted at designated sites in the Buffalo Creek mountain bike area, such as Forest Roads 550 and 554. These areas are also popular on weekends.
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| Vicinity Map |
Scenery: 4
Shoreline Interest: 2
Use: Moderate-High
Fee: $14/person
Access: Gravel
Full elev = 8000; Best near full
Wellington Lake is privately owned and operated, but has been open to public enjoyment for decades. Considering how many private lakes are not open to public, it's refreshing that Wellington Lake continues to be shared as a recreational gem for the region. The day use and camping fees collected here help the operator to sustain its presence in our mountains.
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| Day Use area at Wellington Lake |
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| Wellington Lake |
Paddleboard and kayak rentals are available at the lake during the summer. This makes Wellington Lake a great place to introduce family or friends to the sport as part of a larger, varied outing. A signed waiver and PFD are required for all paddling activities, whether rented or brought. Local hiking trails and a waterfall add to the diversions around the lake's perimeter.
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| Springtime mountain backdrop at Wellington Lake |
The water can be quite cold in the spring, so PFD usage is prudent. The lake also has enough wind exposure to make for choppy conditions mid-lake. If the water is cold and a breeze exists, it's always a good option to sit or kneel on the paddleboard for a lower center of gravity. But, as the top photo shows, conditions can just as easily be still and glassy. Consider a wetsuit during the early season (before June) in case of an inadvertent dip, especially if still building comfort with the board. For more information on cold water considerations, browse through the safety page. Have fun exploring the area, and stay safe on the water!
Please feel free to add observations of current conditions to the comments!
When there are cooler conditions and the water is cold, we often wear a wet suit in case of a fall the protection makes the water no to hypothermic. We have them from surfing days.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the feedback! We have updated this post and relevant pages to note wetsuit considerations for colder waters.
ReplyDelete