Fishing draws many visitors to Blue Lake Campground, where a small mountain lake at roughly 10,000 feet elevation holds trout and sits just south of the campground loops. Sites spread across two loops, most of them positioned along a wooded mountain stream, giving anglers and paddlers direct water access from camp. Campers have brought kayaks and stand-up paddleboards onto the lake, though all gear must be packed in. Mountain goats are regularly spotted in the mornings, and beavers, marmots, and weasels have all been reported around the lake and surrounding terrain.
The atmosphere shifts noticeably through the day. Foot traffic from day hikers passing through to a nearby waterfall keeps sites busy from morning into the evening, but "[it] quiets down once day hikers leave for the day," notes Cassidy O.. Sites 8, 9, and 10 along the stream are consistently called out as the most desirable, while sites 6 and 7 sit closer to the road but have open sightlines toward the mountain ridgeline. The campground fills on weekends, and several reviewers recommend making reservations well in advance.
The access road is one of the most discussed aspects of this campground. About five miles of steep gravel and dirt with multiple switchbacks leads up from the highway, and the route is wide enough for vans and smaller campers but not large fifth-wheels or RVs over 36 feet. Two-wheel-drive vehicles can manage it in summer, though the road gets rough and narrow in sections. Bear Lake Campground (CO), 0.8 miles north, provides a nearby alternative if this campground is full. Purgatoire Campground, 4.5 miles south, is another option in the same corridor.
Blue Lake Campground is within San Isabel National Forest and managed by the US Forest Service, with the season running May through October. Amenities include drinking water, pit toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and firewood for purchase, and hookups for water and sewer are available for rigs up to 36 feet. There is no cell service. Temperatures drop sharply at night even in midsummer, so pack layers, and book a reservation early if you're planning a weekend trip in July or August.
Description
Overview
Blue Lake Campground is located in the beautiful San Isabel National Forest at an elevation of 10,500 ft. Views of the nearby Culebra Range Mountains with aspen and spruce forests offer campers a genuine Colorado experience.
Recreation
A well-marked trail system between Bear Lake and Blue Lake is open to foot and horse traffic. Across the road from the campground FSR 436, a rough jeep road, provides access to Trinchera Peak where Big Horn Sheep are often seen.
Facilities
This rustic campground has 16 campsites, each with a table and fire ring. An on-site camp host offers firewood bundles for sale. Vault toilets and drinking water are available. No electric or septic hook-ups are available. Both reservation and first-come, first-served sites are available.
Natural Features
A tributary of the Cuchara River runs through the campground. Blue Lake is 1/2 mile from the campground, and Bear Lake is one mile away. Both of these small lakes are stocked several times during the summer providing for good fishing.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (719) 489-2034.
Nearby Attractions
The nearby mountain town of Cuchara offers shopping and visitor information. The town of La Veta offers a grocery store, gas stations, and shops. The Spanish Peaks Wilderness, 14 miles from the campground, is a popular hiking destination.
Charges & Cancellations
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. No-Shows A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite. Refunds Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Fire restrictions are currently in effect that prohibit all fires. Generators with an approved spark arrestor and fires or stoves that use liquid petroleum (LPG) fuels are permitted.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsBlue Lake Campground is located in Colorado near La Veta
Directions
From Colorado Highway 12 south of the Town of Cuchara, take FSR 422 4 miles west to the campground.
Address
SAN CARLOS RANGER DISTRICT
3028 EAST MAIN STREET
Canon city, CO 81212
Coordinates
37.3132167 N
105.1389667 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 1 hr 31 min from Pueblo, CO
- 2 hrs 10 min from Colorado Springs, CO
- 3 hrs 3 min from Denver, CO
- 3 hrs 39 min from Santa Fe, NM
