Blue Lake and Bear Lake campgrounds sit in real bear country

South of La Veta, Highway 12 climbs past Cuchara toward a pair of small Forest Service campgrounds, Blue Lake and Bear Lake, reached by a forest road off the highway. Both offer lake and stream fishing in the headwaters of the Cuchara River, and a short non-motorized trail connects the two lakes. They are seasonal, generally open from late spring into early fall and closed when the snow returns.

The name “Bear Lake” is not just scenery. Black bears are common in this country, and the Forest Service has a food-storage order in place here. That means food, trash, coolers, toiletries, and anything else with a scent must be kept in a bear-resistant way, not left out on a picnic table or in a tent. A bear that learns to find food at a campsite becomes a problem for everyone who comes after you, and often a death sentence for the bear.

The practical version: store attractants in a hard-sided vehicle or an approved container, keep a clean site, and never leave food unattended. This is the same habit that keeps bears wild and people safe.

For current campground status, the season dates, and the exact food-storage rules, check the Blue Lake and Bear Lake campground pages with the U.S. Forest Service before you go.