Vallecito Real Estate | La Plata County, CO

Searching for Vallecito, Colorado real estate? Vallecito is an unincorporated area in La Plata County, about 18 miles northeast of Durango in the San Juan Range and National Forest. To get to Vallecito, drive northeast along Colorado State Highway 501, which follows the Los Pinos River. The community's primary feature is Vallecito Lake and Reservoir. The Vallecito community is located on the south side of the lake. Nearby towns include Bayfield, Ignacio and Durango.

There are various homes for sale around the lake, along Highway 501, which circles about three-fourths of the lake. Most houses for sale are around $700,000 for a three-bedroom place with approximately 2,000 square feet of living space. However, there are more prominent and smaller residences available. Newer houses can exceed $1 million.

Many of the houses in the Vallecito area have a cabin-like feel, with rich wood grains that blend well with the surrounding wilderness. The entire region is blanketed with towering Ponderosa Pine trees covering over 2.5 acres of public land on all sides. Vallecito is about 8,000 feet above sea level.

Further south, several houses are for sale just north of Ludwig Mountain. You can find homes for sale on the east side of Highway 501 near Wommer Reservoir and Little Bear Creek. Homes are for sale along Pine Valley Road, Pine Tree Drive and Antelope Drive. This neighborhood also has vacant lots to plan and build your dream home. A one-acre lot here costs about $50,000.

Just south of Ludwig Mountain, you can find vacant lots for sale along Bear Creek Road. A one-acre lot sells for around $100,000 here. This area is desirable because it is closer to Bayfield and Durango but still has that wilderness vibe.

The north side of Vallecito Lake and Reservoir also has a collection of houses for sale that range from approximately $500,000 to well over $1 million, depending on size, square footage and amenities. Private lots in this area offer some of the best views in the region. A one-acre lot with extensive views of the surrounding Weminuche Wilderness list for over $100,000 here. The area has numerous mountains that exceed 12,000 feet. Larger lots with 40 or more acres perfect for a home or ranch are also available for sale.

Neighborhood Highlights:

• Vallecito means "little valley" in Spanish. The lake is an ancestral home of Colorado's Ute Indians.
• The lake and reservoir are nicknamed the "Lake of the Little Valley." It is the largest lake in Colorado higher than 8,000 feet. Construction of the Vallecito Dam started in 1938. It was completed in 1941. The dam is 162 feet tall. The spillway is gate-controlled.
• The reservoir is one of the biggest and most beautiful lakes in Colorado. The lake offers 12 miles of pristine shoreline. The lake is stocked with Northern pike, brown and rainbow trout and kokanee salmon.