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!
PIKE-SAN ISABEL NATIONAL FORESTS & CIMARRON AND COMANCHE NATIONAL GRASSLANDS** STAGE 1 FIRE PROHIBITIONS **** PROHIBITIONS**Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 551 and 36 C.F.R. 261.50(a), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) in the Leadville, Salida, San Carlos, Pikes Peak, South Park and South Platte Ranger Districts of the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A, hereinafter referred to as the Described Area:
- Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (including fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes), except if it is in
- A permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the U.S. Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas);
- A device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off used in an area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within three feet of the device; or
- A fully enclosed metal stove with a chimney at least five feet in length and a mesh screen spark arrestor with a screen opening of a inch or less used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 10 feet of the device.36 CFR 261.52(a).
- Using an explosive. 36 C.F.R. 261.52(b)
- Smoking is prohibited, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials. 36 CFR 261.52(d)
- Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame, except if in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of Class 2A) is kept with the operator. 36 CFR 261.52(h) EXEMPTIONS Pursuantto36 C.F.R.261.50(e), thefollowingpersons areexemptfrom thisOrder:
- Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. 251.50(e)(1) or (2).
- Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting service in the performance of an official duty. DESCRIBEDAREA All National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the exterior boundaries of the Pikes Peak, South Platte, South Park, Leadville, Salida and San Carlos Ranger Districts of the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, as depicted on the map attached as Exhibit A of this Order. PURPOSE Thepurposeof this Order is to protect natural resources and public health and safety. IMPLEMENTATION
- This Order shall be in effect from August 21, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. through August November 14, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., unless rescinded.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsBlue Lake Campground is located in Colorado near La Veta
Public CampgroundDirections
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
