Blue Lake Dispersed Camping- CLOSED

Incredible spot to car camp right at the base of the trailhead to lower, middle and upper lakes + Mount Sneffels! The flowers in July were amazing in the higher elevations and the weather was just right. We saw dear, marmots and coyotes, too! Highly recommended on a week day if you can swing it!

This location is beyond words. We are a truck team of three and we headed up on Sunday afternoon. We planned to camp at the trailhead and not the lake itself. There were plenty of spots open at the time but we nabbed one next to a small stream. Ample room at the spots and good distance from each other which reduced the neighbor noise. The scenery was stellar. Because they were finally getting loads of rain, we did have a pesky fly problem in addition to the mosquitos but it did not deter us from staying the whole week. No, you will not have cell reception there. Yes, the road gets a bit rough. Ideally have a vehicle with higher bottom clearance. Yes, this area is quite busy so getting a spot is hit and miss. I highly recommend this area for an immersive Colorado nature experience.

We came here the Saturday afternoon of Labor Day weekend, and had planned to camp by our car. The area was completely packed with cars and people already set up, and we found it difficult to find a spot. We drove around for about 30 mins, saw some cars and trucks blocking off sections to certain areas (as they wanted to reserve the areas and keep them somewhat private), and ended up camping in a muddy, suboptimal spot.

The next morning, we did the 3.6 mile hike up to the Lower Blue Lake. The hike was great and the lake is gorgeous. There were a lot of tents set up right near the lakes. Would highly recommend backpacking up and camping by the lakes instead of car camping

Blue lakes is one of the most vibrant colored lakes in Colorado and you can camp right at its shores! This is dispersed/backcountry camping only. Spots can be found right before the lake, look for a clearing and setup. This area can get really busy with day hikers and campers so go early and try for a weekday. We went up there on a weekday and saw about 10 other tents. Camping is free, make sure to pack it out there. 

Great jump off point to hike Mt Sneffles or up to the other lakes. The hike is around 3.2 miles one way but worth every step.

The hike isn’t easy but well worth it. It was busier than I expected especially since we decided to hike on a Tuesday. I would love to come back and hike in to camp rather than drive because there are only a few drive in sites near the river and they are right by the road. at the top many people had their tents pitched by the lake which looked lovely after such a hard hike. I hope to come back sometime soon! :))

If you are pulling an RV in, use this pin for directions, not the one to the south. I’m glad we came, but be prepared that the road is HORRIBLE. We were pulling a 21’ camper and would probably not have tried to get here had we known how bad the road was. We are not looking forward to driving back out!

There were a couple of small RV parking areas, but more tents. RV camping was in the more open area about a half-mile from the trailhead. We are right next to a stream, with an established fire pit. There are some pull off spots before the trailhead, but you will not be able to turn a camper around at the trailhead, due to the number of parked cars.

The hike is wonderful, but fairly strenuous if going past lower blue lake. But we made the 4.5 mile hike to the middle lake to get pictures of lower blue from above.

Still a great camping site, but just be prepared for a VERY bumpy, narrow drive

If you are pulling an RV in, do not use this pin for directions, use the one north of here, which lists boondocking. I’m glad we came, but be prepared that the road is HORRIBLE. We were pulling a 21’ camper and would probably not have tried to get here had we known how bad the road was. This pin is at the lake, but the lake is over 3 miles from the trailhead. We are not looking forward to driving back out!

There were a couple of small RVs, but more tents. RV camping in the more open area about a half-mile from the trailhead. We are right next to a stream, with an established fire pit. There are some pull off spots before the trailhead, but you will not be able to turn a camper around at the trailhead, due to the number of parked cars.

The hike is wonderful, but fairly strenuous if going past lower blue lake. But we made the 4.5 mile hike to the middle lake to get pictures of lower blue from above.

Still a great camping site, but just be prepared for a VERY bumpy, narrow drive.

Parked and camped below the trail head in the dispersed camping there. It was full of shade and a river flowing through it. Will be back.

We camped just near the trailhead. Hike was challenging but well worth it. Please be prepared. Many folks we saw were not. Our campsite was at the end of the road on a creek that was perfect for our post hike feet!

my favorite place in the area. the wildflowers are insane during the summer! there is a nice wooded area where there are numerous places to camp it’s right next to lower blue lake. there is lower blue lake, which you get to in around 3 miles in from trailhead off cr 7 from hwy 145. then there’s middle blue lake another mile or two up, then theres upper blue lake further up towards mt. sneffels.

Make sure to pack light, the walk is steep! Camping here is so beautiful and just above Yankee Boy Basin. Mt Sneffels trailhead is right there too.

Blue lakes campsites are about 3 miles in at the lower Blue Lake. From there, hike 2.5 miles to get to the Blue Lakes Saddle below Sneffels, and continue up to summit this great 14'er.