Blue Lake Campground
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.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Colorado · reservable in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 16 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 25 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
16 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | None | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 002 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | None | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 003 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | None | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Preferred |
| 004 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | None | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 005 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | None | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 006 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | None | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 007 | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | None | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 008 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | None | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 009 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 010 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | None | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 36 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
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.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Pike-San Isabel National Forests |
| Booking | Limited sites available on a first-come first-served basis. No reservations at this time. |
| Fees | $25.00 per site fee is charged for overnight camping. Two vehicles allowed; an extra fee of $10.00 each for additional vehicles. Fees are payable by cash, check or money order. Self-servicing fee tube is available. First-come, first-served sites must be occupied the first night. |
| Rules | Maximum 10 persons per site: 2 tents and 2 vehicles or 1 recreation vehicle (RV). Maximum length of RV is 40 feet. Dogs must be leashed at all times. No discharge of firearms or fireworks. Only licensed vehicles can operate inside campground. Camping is not allowed behind a locked gate. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Colorado Highway 12 south of the Town of Cuchara, take FSR 422 4 miles west to the campground.
| Nearest town | Canon City, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 37.3132° N, 105.1390° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and 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 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.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedComanche Powderhouse Fall Rx
34 mi from the campground
- WildfireAspen Acres
49 mi from the campground · 102,007 acres · 90% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 27 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Kristi's Mountain Sports ↗ | 43.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Blue Lake Campground San Isabel National Forest
Worth a stop
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.
- 0.8 miBear Lake Day Use Area ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 0.9 miBlue/Bear Road ↗5 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 0.9 miNorth Fork3.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.9 miIndian ↗13.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 1.2 miWildcat4.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.8 miCoal Creek ↗4.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.1 miBaker Creek3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Spanish Peaks Wilderness begins about 6.9 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 6.9 miSpanish Peaks Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 19,237 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
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.
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.
Guidebooks for Colorado
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Blue Lake Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Blue Lake Campground?
$25.00 per site fee is charged for overnight camping. Two vehicles allowed; an extra fee of $10.00 each for additional vehicles. Fees are payable by cash, check or money order.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Blue Lake Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Blue Lake Campground?
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.
Source: Charges and cancellations
Is Blue Lake Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Blue Lake Campground have?
16 sites, including 16 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Blue Lake Campground?
The longest site here provides 36 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Blue Lake Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Blue Lake Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Blue Lake Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 2 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Maximum 10 persons per site: 2 tents and 2 vehicles or 1 recreation vehicle (RV).
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Blue Lake Campground?
A well-marked trail system between Bear Lake and Blue Lake is open to foot and horse traffic. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Blue Lake Campground?
Canon City, Colorado. The nearby mountain town of Cuchara offers shopping and visitor information.
Source: Getting there
What if Blue Lake Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Bear Lake Campground (0.8 mi), Purgatoire Campground (4.5 mi), and Cordova Pass (6.7 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby