The sites at Bear Lake Campground are not $5. They have been $20 per night ever since 2024. The road is very washboard the entire way, so plan on about 45 minutes to get there from Yampa.
There are no reservations accepted, it is first come, first serve, and saving spots is not allowed and is highly monitored and regulated. You must occupy your site for the first night, and after that, must not leave it unoccupied for more than 48 hours.
The sites are of all sizes, however, there are no lake views as it is mostly shaded and wooded and the lake is a 5 minute walk outside the campground.
The vault toilets are very clean, the mosquitos are awful at all times of the day! And the wildflowers are stunning.