Lake Irwin

An alpine lake in Crested Butte

Lake Irwin is one of Colorado’s most stunning alpine lakes. It’s tucked beneath the Ruby Mountain Range, a sub-range of the Elk Mountains. Surrounded by conifer forests and wildflower meadows, it’s one of Crested Butte’s most scenic places. It sits at about 10,200’ elevation, nine miles west of Crested Butte in the Gunnison National Forest. The area was once a mining town but is now a popular summer and fall recreation spot. Keep reading to learn about Lake Irwin’s history and things to do there.

Lake Irwin Closures

Fall 2026-Summer 2028

Beginning September 2026, the Forest Service is closing Lake Irwin completely for a modernization project. This includes the campground and day use area. The site will receive a full demolition and reconstruction. The closure will remain in effect for the remainder of 2026, all of 2027 and will plan to reopen June 2028. The project is intended to get the site up to date with current recreation needs and improve safety.

Updates include:

Tripling parking capacity
Adding eight new campsites
Expanding the campground from 32 to 40 sites
Rebuilding roads
Adding new restrooms
Updating picnic areas
Rebuilding trails
Updating kiosks

Timeline of closures

The campground will close for the season on September 8, 2026. The day use area will remain open through 2026, but construction crews may need to temporarily close it or slow traffic for public safety. Beginning in 2027, Lake Irwin will be completely closed.

This closure will also include National Forest System Road (NFSR) 826. Landowners will still be able to access their property via NFSR 826. A gate will be installed to help enforce the closure for non-property owners. A grand reopening is planned for June 2028.

Check for updates on the Forest Service website below.

Forest Service

Recreation at Lake Irwin

Fishing, boating, hiking and more

Summer fun at Lake Irwin includes fishing, hiking, boating, mountain biking, paddling, picnicking and camping. Canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are a great way to enjoy the calm water, while anglers can try their luck for trout. Trails around the lake lead into the surrounding high country, with options for hiking or biking. The developed campground sits on the lake’s western shore and provides a scenic basecamp. In the fall, it’s an easy stop on a scenic drive over Kebler Pass, Colorado’s largest aspen grove.

The history of Lake Irwin

Learn about this former mining town

The nearby town of Irwin sprang up after silver was discovered in the area in the late 1870s. A true boomtown, it briefly grew into a bustling mining camp of thousands of residents. In its heyday, Irwin had a newspaper, hundreds of buildings, a post office, a bank, a theatre, a weekly newspaper, five daily stages from Gunnison to Irwin in the summer and even fire hydrants. Named for prospector Dick Irwin, the town declined as the mines closed and was largely abandoned by the 1920s. Today, a few cabins that are used seasonally remain in the Irwin townsite.

Forest Queen Mine in Irwin, Colorado. Courtesy of Denver Public Library.

Getting to Lake Irwin

Where is Lake Irwin?

From Crested Butte, follow Gunnison County Road 12 (Kebler Pass Road) west for about seven miles, then turn onto Forest Road 826 and follow the signs toward Lake Irwin. The roads are unpaved beyond Crested Butte, but generally passable for most vehicles. Because access is weather-dependent, the exact opening and closing dates vary from year to year.

When to Visit Lake Irwin

Summer, fall, winter and spring at Lake Irwin

Lake Irwin offers different things to do and different scenery depending on the time of year.

Summer

Summer is the best time of year for enjoying the lake. It’s easy to drive to, so you can load up the car with a paddleboard, kayak or fishing gear. Wildflowers are on display, and days are warm and sunny. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the mountains, so check the weather and wrap up your adventures before the weather turns.

Fall

Fall brings fewer people and crisp, cool weather. The hiking and biking trails in the area burst with gold, red, and orange as the aspens change. Lake Irwin is also an easy stop while driving Kebler Pass. This scenic drive has some of the best leaf peeping in the state.

Kebler Pass is home to a massive aspen grove and is a relatively easy drive. Drive it from Crested Butte to Paonia or check out the West Elk Loop Scenic Byway for breathtaking fall views.

Winter and spring

Lake Irwin is closed during Crested Butte’s snowy winter and spring and is not accessible by standard vehicles. Snowmobilers and backcountry skiers can take advantage of the snowy terrain. Snowmobilers must stay on National Forest land and not venture into wilderness areas. Take care to stay off private property as well.

Visiting Lake Irwin Responsibly

Tread lightly in Crested Butte

Lake Irwin is one of the most-visited places in the Gunnison Valley. It can become crowded, especially on summer weekends. Visit in the fall or on weekdays for fewer people. When camping at Lake Irwin, follow all camping etiquette:

Properly dispose of all trash, food bits and waste.
Only camp in designated spots to avoid harming plants or water sources.
Keep campfires small and contained. Never leave it unattended. Fully extinguish it when you’re done. Follow any local fire restrictions.
Do not leave food or personal products like lotion out where wildlife can get to it.
Keep your things contained to your campsite and don’t walk through other campsites.
Keep the volume of voices and music to a minimum to not disturb your neighbors.

Things to Do Nearby

Explore Crested Butte, Gunnison and more

Lake Irwin makes an easy addition to a larger Crested Butte adventure. Crested Butte is just a short drive away for restaurants, shops, galleries and places to stay. The town of Gunnison is about 36 miles south of Lake Irwin. For a bigger hiking adventure, trails in the surrounding Elk Mountains lead into higher alpine terrain, including routes toward Scarp Ridge and other scenic backcountry destinations.

One of the best mountain bike trails close to Lake Irwin is Dyke Trail. This 5.2-mile trail starts right at the lake and is rated challenging. It’s known for breathtaking fall colors, technical descents and challenging climbs.

Visit Gunnison

Check out Gunnison for biking at Hartman Rocks, shopping and dining on Main Street, hiking in Curecanti National Recreation Area, and more. If you want to check out more old mining areas, explore these hikes to Colorado’s abandoned mining camps. Find more lakes to visit in the Gunnison Valley on our lakes guide. Always check current road and trail conditions before heading out and be mindful of private property in the Irwin area.

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Lake Irwin

Q: Where is Lake Irwin?
A: Lake Irwin is located about nine miles west of Crested Butte in the Gunnison National Forest, along Kebler Pass Road. The lake sits at approximately 10,200 feet in elevation and is surrounded by the Ruby Mountains, spruce and fir forests, and high-alpine meadows.

Q: What can you do at Lake Irwin?
A: Lake Irwin is a popular destination for fishing, hiking, mountain biking, paddling, picnicking and camping. The calm lake is well suited to canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, while nearby trails provide opportunities to explore the surrounding high country. In winter, the area becomes a destination for snowmobiling, Nordic skiing and snowshoeing when conditions allow.

Q: Can you fish at Lake Irwin?
A: Yes. Fishing is one of the most popular activities at Lake Irwin, which is known for its trout fishing. Be sure to have a valid Colorado fishing license and check current regulations before fishing.

Q: Can you swim in Lake Irwin?
A: Swimming is possible, but the water is cold even during summer. Lake Irwin is a high-elevation alpine lake, so visitors should use caution and be aware that conditions can change quickly.

Q: Can you camp at Lake Irwin?
A: Lake Irwin Campground is a developed Forest Service campground located beside the lake. The campground has historically offered 32 campsites, along with picnic tables, fire rings and other basic amenities. However, the campground closes on September 8, 2026, for a major reconstruction project and is not expected to reopen until 2028.

Q: Is Lake Irwin closing in 2026?
A: The Lake Irwin Campground will close on September 8, 2026, its regular seasonal closing date. It will remain closed during reconstruction. The day-use area will remain open for the remainder of the 2026 season, although visitors may encounter temporary closures or restricted areas as construction work begins.

Q: Why is Lake Irwin being closed?
A: The Lake Irwin campground and day use area were originally developed decades ago, and many of the facilities have reached the end of their useful life. The U.S. Forest Service is undertaking a full reconstruction to improve safety, accessibility and the visitor experience while updating the area for current recreation needs.

Q: What improvements are planned at Lake Irwin?
A: The reconstruction will include expanded parking and camping capacity. Roads, trails, picnic areas, restrooms, and kiosks will also be rebuilt or updated. The project is expected to continue through 2027, with a grand reopening planned for June 2028.

Q: Will Lake Irwin be accessible during the 2027 season?
A: No. A full public closure is planned for the 2027 recreation season, including National Forest System Road 826, which provides access to the Lake Irwin area. Visitors should check current Forest Service information before planning a trip, as access details may change.

Q: When will Lake Irwin reopen?
A: The current plan calls for Lake Irwin to reopen June 2028, following the completion of the campground and day-use area reconstruction. Visitors should check with the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests for the latest construction schedule and access information before traveling.

Q: Can I visit Lake Irwin in winter?
A: Winter access and recreation are different from summer. Snow closes the roads to regular vehicle traffic, and the area is used for activities such as snowmobiling and backcountry skiing when conditions permit. Winter visitors should check current road, trail and avalanche conditions and be prepared for remote, high-elevation winter travel.

Trip inspiration for the Gunnison Valley

Check out our blog for trip itineraries, things to do and trip planning tips.

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