Colorado Lake Home to Salamanders + Optical Illusions

It's no secret that Colorado is home to an innumerable number of examples of natural beauty, including magnificent mountains, stunning rock formations, and lakes.

Read More: Lower Mohawk Lake Should Be on Your Colorado Bucket List |

While some of the state's lakes are well-known to natives and tourists alike, some, like Lizard Lake in Gunnison County, fall more closely under the category of 'hidden gems.'

How Did Colorado's Lizard Lake Get Its Name?

Lizard Lake, located high in the Rocky Mountains between Marble and Crystal, Colorado, got its name from a unique species of wildlife found in the area.

The animal native to Lizard Lake that inspired its name is actually not a lizard at all, but an amphibian known as the Barred Tiger Salamander, also commonly referred to as the Western Tiger Salamander.

These salamanders are known to live in the muddy banks of Lizard Lake, as well as under the surface of the lake's water.

Why You Should Add Lizard Lake to Your Colorado Bucket List

Besides the Western Tiger Salamanders that inhabit Lizard Lake, there are plenty of other reasons that this unique place should be added to anyone's Colorado bucket list.

One of the most notable things about Lizard Lake is its reflective properties, as exemplified above.

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The area offers stunning views of Whitehouse Mountain, Sheep Mountain, and Hat Mountain, all of which can be seen mirrored on the lake's surface.

While it's not recommended to visit Lizard Lake during extreme winter weather conditions, the lake is a must-see for fans of Colorado's natural beauty nonetheless.