I opened up the little cabin door and took a deep breath of chilly mountain air. Inhale. Exhale. It was 6 AM, and the sun was coming up from behind the Gore Range. I looked out on the calm, pristine Piney Lake, and my eyes locked in on the small birds flitting around, dipping their beaks into the water for a morning drink. I was completely alone in the backcountry landscape. It was hard to believe I was technically in Vail – a town known for its luxury and tourism.
This is a part of Vail I never knew existed!
Table of Contents
History of Vail Town
I’ve often wondered how Vail came to be such an upscale mountain town – so different from many other mountain towns in Colorado. The first thing I learned is that Vail doesn’t come from a western mountain town background like most of the ski towns around Colorado; it was a purpose-built ski town! It was created to have everything at your disposal as a pedestrian-friendly ski village.
Its construction began in the spring of 1962, and by the fall of 1966, the Town of Vail was incorporated. Since then it has continued to grow and has a number of facelifts. It’s now home to not only incredible skiing but world-class restaurants, hotels, condos, and spas. If I were to compare it to high school times – Vail is the popular kid with all the right stuff.
However, one thing Vail isn’t is rustic and backwoods-ish…that is until I found this little gem where I woke up only 11 miles outside of Vail!
Piney Lake CO – a Hidden Secret in Vail
At the end of the road, you’ll find Piney Lake, one of the prettiest views in Vail…and Colorado. Found at 9,350 feet, Piney Lake frames the majestic Gore range in the distance. Here, there are no fancy resorts or restaurants; in fact, there is barely even power, thanks to a generator. You’ll only find 6 little cabins by the lake and maybe a moose if you are lucky.
In reality, Piney Lake isn’t too much of a secret, as during the day, it’s full of visitors canoeing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, and SUPping. But the secret is…ssshhhh… if you stay overnight at Piney Lake, you will have this backcountry wilderness and incredible views all to yourself from 5 PM to 10 AM.
“You have to stay to get the real beauty of the place – it’s a totally different feel – everyone leaves and it’s yours to enjoy in peace and quiet.”
Piney River Ranch
Piney Lake is owned by the Denver Water Board, which bought it in the late 80s during the water shortage in Denver with the intention to fill a reservoir. But luckily, they never had to do that! Piney River Ranch leases the land from the Water Board on a long-term lease and has continued to add amenities to the area by the lake for overnight stays and day visitors.
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What Facilities are at Piney Lake?
Piney River Ranch has developed the area for day visitors and a few overnight guests. Located in the Vail backcountry, they somehow have managed to provide a few great facilities in this remote destination.
You’ll find a simple restaurant serving food and drink from 11 am to 6 pm, along with a small gift shop. There is also a small boat house that rents SUPs, canoes, and kayaks by the hour. For overnight guests, the Ranch has 6 lakeside cabins and 3 glamping tents. All of their power at the Ranch is run by a generator.
And if you want to go more rustic, there are dispersed camping areas along the road near the Ranch. Note – For information on camping or
One thing there isn’t…any connectivity…not even cell connectivity. I think the ultimate way to really enjoy the outdoors is by doing it offline. It’s just another reason why I love Piney Lake!
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Piney River Ranch Cabins Vail CO and Glamping
We arrived at the Ranch and I saw the Adirondack chairs in front of our ‘Moose Cabin’ pointing out toward the lake, and I knew this was just what I was looking for. Each cabin has a propane grill, a fire pit (wood is available), a porch, a picnic table, and Adirondack chairs to maximize your outdoor space. After all – you want to spend as much time as you can soaking up this view.
The cabin was lovely inside, with a queen bed, a bunk bed, a couch, and a little bar area for coffee. It was simple and comfortable. The cabins have no plumbing but there were multiple restroom choices. You could use simple pit toilets or go a tiny bit further to the restroom with multiple toilet stalls and sinks. There are no showers, though.
I cracked open my beer, put my feet up, and took in the view. We brought food from home to grill out that night by the lake. Christopher cooked up a feast of grilled goodness, reminding me that this is what summer is about: time outside with good food and friends.
After grilling out I started up the pit fire and enjoyed the flames dancing in the cold air while watching the stars come out, while I simultaneously cursed myself for not bringing the makings for S’mores! Doh!
There are also 3 glamping tents that sleep 4 people, however, they don’t have a direct lake view. Each has a wood stove in the glamping tent for the chilly nights. There was a group of fun women renting the tent behind our cabin and they graciously let me in for a look…and even offered me a beer!
Check prices and availability for Piney River Ranch | Read reviews for Piney River Ranch on Trip Advisor | Search for other accommodations in Vail
Things to do at Piney Lake
Even though I could’ve sat and enjoyed the views all day, I was ready to get out into that Vail backcountry!
Hiking the Upper Piney River Falls Trail
The main trail is the Upper Piney Lake Trail which starts right where the road ends, follows along the lake, and then disappears into the valley in the distance. This is a popular trail, and quite honestly, I don’t think I would’ve liked it as much as I did if it weren’t for staying at the Ranch overnight, enabling us to get on the trail early!
We started out around 8 AM, and no one was around. Where the lake ended, the river began, and we followed above it for a while, winding into the lush green valley. The trail then turned up and started a few switchbacks taking us through aspen groves. Wildflowers lined the trail, and it was a pretty gentle rolling path up to the falls.
We stayed and enjoyed the falls while soaking up the sun on the big rocks. On the way back down, we wore our masks, expecting more traffic on the trail. We were right, we passed big family groups and lots of day visitors. It made me all that more thankful that we went up early.
It was a 6-mile round trip – just perfect for working up an appetite for lunch back at the ranch!
Get more info on the hike at All Trails. There is also a longer more advanced trail that goes beyond the falls and up to much higher but the trail is not as well marked.
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Get Out on the Lake
It’s not enough to simply look at the lake, get out there, and enjoy its crystal clear waters. You can rent a canoe, kayak, or SUP by the hour from the boathouse.
We took a canoe out in the early evening and paddled around the small lake. It was a great way to wind down and enjoy a different perspective. Keep your eyes peeled for moose along the banks! It’s also a great place to take a picnic lunch with you out on the canoe if you want to get away from the day visitors at the restaurant. Or take a book and take a floating reading break!
The last canoe/kayak/SUP is rented at 5 PM and can stay out until 6 PM. Or – feel free to bring your own and stay out as long as you’d like! Lifejackets are provided.
Horseback Riding on Aspen-Filled Trails
I hadn’t planned on going horseback riding, but another guest I met by the boat dock couldn’t stop raving about their horseback ride, so we decided to check it out. It’s worth it to simply meet the amazing Newnew – the horse wrangler with a petite build but a strong personality. We walked to the stables, and Newnew came up and introduced herself. She had on dusty jeans and a cowboy hat, and you could tell she was smiling behind her mask as her eyes lit up and her smile lines appeared. I knew we were in good hands.
Newnew takes matching a horse to a guest extremely seriously. She knows these horses incredibly well – like her own kids. As we lined up behind the fence, she gave us a rundown of what to expect and took our ‘temperature’ on how we were feeling about the upcoming 2-hour ride.
“They (the horses) got your back – but more importantly they have their own back – they don’t want to fall, and they won’t fall,” she calmed any beginner fears anyone had. She went on to say, “They feel your energy.”
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Even though I’m not a horse expert, I’ve always felt that way about horses, they are incredible animals; sensitive, intelligent, and perceptive.
And quite frankly, much like the horses, Newnew can also feel your energy. That’s how she matches horses and guests. She knows the personality of her horses, where they like to be in the line, how fast they want to go, and how they like their reins. She observes people as they arrive, how they interact with each other, and talks to them about their experiences and how they are feeling about riding. Then she does the matchmaking; making a perfect horse/rider experience.
It was clear to me that she cared as much about the horse as she did the guest. And that is what made this horse-riding experience so wonderful.
I was matched with Bud, a gentle giant that looked like butterscotch and smelled of hay and leather. As I looked into Bud’s eyes and pet his nose, I was mindful of my energy. I feel like we got off to a great start. As we clomped along through the aspen groves, all I could think about was how this felt good for my soul. I loved the rhythm, the smell, and the sound of the leather saddle creaking back and forth. On top of Bud, I had a whole new vantage point of the forest and the wildflowers.
The two-hour ride even included a little galloping! The horseback ride with Bud and Newnew was a highlight of my time at the Ranch.
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Fishing
I didn’t have time to try my hand at fishing at the lake, but I saw plenty of fishermen and women throwing out a line. The lake and river are home to many varieties of trout including brookies, browns, cutthroat, and rainbow trout. I was told that these species live in such abundance that you’re almost guaranteed to make a catch!
A fishing license is required to fish in this private lake and can be acquired at Walmart, City Market, and Safeway. You can also rent a fishing rod and reel for $20 from Piney River Ranch.
Stargazing
I brought my tripod along to do some night photography, however, mother nature didn’t quite cooperate with me and gave us cloudy skies. However, when you do have a clear night at Piney Lake – it is stunning!
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A Smoking Restaurant
Even though we cooked out at our cabin, we also made sure to eat at the restaurant for lunch. I couldn’t leave there without trying some of the meat from the smoker they have out back! We enjoyed the smoked pulled port and smoked wings – the perfect treat for after our hike!
What to Bring to Piney River Ranch
On any given day, you may experience a variety of weather at Piney Lake: sun, rain, hail, snow, and wind. Because of that, you’ll want to be prepared to enjoy your time there. And if it does rain, hail, or snow, just wait it out for a bit, and you’ll likely have sunshine in the next hour.
- Clothing for chilly nights and mornings
- Sunscreen and a good Wallaroo SPF sun hat– you are at 9300 feet!
- Hiking gear (see all of my essential hiking gear here)
- Long pants and close-toed shoes for horse riding
- Water shoes for being out on the lake
- Camera, and don’t forget a tripod for night photography.
- Thermal mug for having your morning coffee or tea outside with a view
- Don’t forget your masks! Masks are required to go into the lodge. I also recommend them on the trail to the waterfall as it is an out-and-back narrow trail with a lot of traffic. These are my favorites from Turtle Fur.
- Food for grilling
- S’mores kit (yes, there is such a thing!!)
- Games
- If you want to watch movies – you have to download them to your device before you arrive since there is no connectivity.
How to Get to Piney Lake in Vail
Vail’s Piney Lake is one of the highest lakes in Colorado you can drive to!
Piney Lake directions: Take I-70 West towards Vail and get off at exit 176. Take the North Frontage Road west to Red Sandstone Drive, turn north, and follow 0.7 miles to the fork. From here, follow the dirt road to the left and continue about 2.7 miles, you will hit a split, follow signs to Piney Lake, continuing left. Stay the course down the dirt road for about 9 miles.
The only challenging part of this whole trip is the last 12 miles. The dirt road is rough. It is maintained by the forest service, though, so it is possible to do it in a passenger car if you go slow. How slow? Well, the experts at Piney River Ranch said that in a low-clearance regular sedan, it should take 45 minutes, if not more, to get there if you are going slow enough! An SUV can be a bit faster – but it’s still advised to go slow, there are a number of hairpin turns and wildlife to watch for too.
However, let me stress – Every type of car does make it out there on the rough road, you just have to be patient. We drove a Jetta.
The road is maintained as long as the Ranch is open – from June 23rd to September 30th. Before or after that, make sure you call the USFS at (970) 827 5715 for updates on the road and its condition.
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COVID-19 Changes for 2023
Piney River Ranch is back to full operation in 2023. Along with a full-service menu, they offer some of Vails finest barbeque. Meats are smoked on-site, with sides and salads made fresh daily.
The Ranch did a good job of utilizing its outdoor space and encouraging social distancing during COVID-19. They spread out picnic tables in front of the lake at a 6 ft distance. It’s a lovely view, and I’d rather be outside anyway!
See a Different Side of Vail This Summer
As I talked to one of the managers at the ranch, she said they still had availability for overnight stays in August and September. Make sure you book well in advance! I personally think September would be the best time to be there to enjoy the fall colors and golden Aspens around the lake.
In my opinion, you have to stay to get the real beauty of the place – it’s a totally different feel when everyone leaves, and it’s yours to enjoy in peace and quiet. From 5 PM to 10 AM the next day, all that Piney Lake Vail CO backcountry beauty is yours!
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Disclosure:
I was a guest of Vail Tourism for this trip, however all opinions expressed here are my own.
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