Lake City — Silver Thread Byway Fuel and Full Resupply

Lake City sits at the junction of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River and CO-149, 55 miles south of Gunnison. It’s the primary staging town for the Alpine Loop and the western Gunnison National Forest, including approaches toward Slumgullion Pass, Cinnamon Pass, and Engineer Mountain. You’ll find fuel, a grocery store, hardware, and several diners. The town has a legitimate Colorado mining history and doesn’t feel like a tourist trap — it’s a working mountain town that happens to sit at the gateway to some of the best 4WD country in the state.

Fuel up here without question before heading onto the Alpine Loop — the next services west are in Ouray (70+ miles by dirt) and there’s nothing on Cinnamon or Engineer. Cell service is workable in town but drops fast once you leave on the backcountry roads. Most businesses operate Memorial Day through mid-October.

Fuel up here. Seriously. Last chance.