The hike to Native Lake is one of my favorites in Colorado. While all of the beauty of this hike can be enjoyed in a day, turning it into an overnight trip is the best way to appreciate the area without any rush. The shoreline of this alpine lake offers multiple dispersed campsites, each marked by a pre-established fire ring and plenty of space for multiple tents. The sites are well spaced apart and feel completely private even when other campers are sharing the lake. The views of Mount Massive from here are incredible!

Things can get a bit soggy down by the lake, so gathering firewood may require a bit of a stroll up the trail to higher (and drier) ground if there has been recent rain. On our last trip up to Native Lake the mosquitos were pretty ruthless, so bug spray is highly recommended around dusk and dawn.