wildernet

San Carlos Ranger District

Quick Facts

Bear Lake Campground

Elevation:	10,500 Feet (3273.1 Meters)
Length of Stay:	14 Days
Number of Sites:	14
Reservation Remarks:	Tent, trailer and small RV
Reservation Status:	Not Accepted

		Satellite and Topo Map

General Description

Bear Lake Campground is located approximately 20 miles from the town of La
Veta, CO, on Forest Road 422, 5 miles from its intersection with State Highway 12.
(See travel directions for Cuchara Recreation Area.) This campground is
located at 10,500 feet above sea level and is within a short hike of Bear
Lake. There are 14 single family units, each with a table, fire ring with
grill and parking spur. Drinking water is provided by one well and
hand pump. Sanitation is provided for by two double-vault toilets, neither
of which is handicapped accessible. Trash collection is provided by 6 bear-proofed 30-gal.
cans.

The Indian Creek Trailhead is located within the boundary of the campground,
providing access to the Indian Creek trail which is a multiple use trail,
including motorized bikes and ATVs. The campground loop road and all parking
spurs are aggregate surfaced. All facilities are in fair to good condition.
Bear Lake has an average use rate of 40% during the normal operating season.

Attractions include hiking, scenic viewing, stream and lake fishing, motorized
bike and ATV riding and four-wheel driving.

Directions from La Veta: Take Highway 12 south from La Veta, through Cuchara and past the turnoff for Cuchara Mountain Resort. Cuchara Recreation Area is a right turn onto Forest Road 422 . Along the first two miles of the road are the Day Use and Parking Areas; after about five miles you reach Blue and Bear Lakes. It is a typically rutted gravel road; watch yourself going up when the switchbacks turn, some are very deeply rutted. Trinchera Peak 4WD Road 436 begins across from the entrance to Blue Lake Campground, on the left side. The day use sites are located along the first 2 miles of Forest Road 422. All day use picnic sitesinclude at least one unit which is handicapped accessible.

Seasonal Information:
Normal Services Available: June through Mid-October (NOTE: Access road gate closed by 15 November) .

Fee Information

Type	Price	Remarks
Single unit fee	Call for Current Fee	Drinking water, toilets, garba

		Current Conditions & Trip Reports
		Add your own trip Report! Newly re-released feature. One of the most popular features on Wildernet, trip reports allow you to share your experiences with others. This is an invaluable resource for determining what to expect on your outdoor adventure, so please participate! To prevent spamming, you must be a registered user of Wildernet in order to submit a trip report Number of People Encountered: 0-10 ppl Recommend to a Friend: Highly Report: be sure to obtain registration for atv. before entering forest. out of state vehicles need to obtain sticker Number of People Encountered: 0-10 ppl Recommend to a Friend: Highly Report: All spaces are roomy with adequate parking. Some spaces are shaded but most are not. Bear lake is within 50 yards of CG. Spectacular scenary. Night time temps. quite cool.

Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	RV Camping	14 sites, mostly 40 to 45 foot back in	Yes
	Tent Camping	Bear Lake and dispersed sites on Trinchera Peak 4 WD Road also	Yes
	Camping	Bear Lake Campground	Yes
	Cold Water Fishing	Bear Lake also	No
	Four-Wheel Driving	Trinchera Peak 4 WD Road	No
	Hiking & Walking	Numerous trails from Trinchera Peak and Indian Creek Trailheads	No
	Hunting	In season	No
	Mountain Biking	Trinchera Peak 4 WD Road and Indian Creek Trail	No
	Mountain Climbing	Trinchera Peak	No
	ATV Riding	Trinchera Peak 4 WD Road and Indian Creek Trail	No
	Motorcycle Riding	Trinchera Peak 4 WD Road and Indian Creek Trail	No
	Picnicking	There are six day use areas in all, four within the first two miles from Highway 12	No

Related Activities

Baker Trail - Baker Trail is accessed via Dodgeton or Indian Creek Trails, making a loop trip possible.

Blue Lake Campground - Blue Lake Campground is located at an elevation of 10,500 feet above sea level, within a short hike of Blue Lake. It consists of 15 single family units. Drinking water is provided.

Dodgeton Trail - This trail starts at Spring Creek Trailhead, where there is parking, a new toilet and picnicking facilities. It is designated as a multiple use trail.

Indian Trailhead - The trail starts at the north end of Bear Lake; connects with Baker and Dodgeton Trails, goes over Raspberry Mountain and ends at Indian Creek Road (County Road 421).

Purgatoire Campground - Purgatoire Campground is located on Forest Development Road 34 approximately 4miles west of its intersection with State Highway 12.

Shortcut Trail - This trail links with Indian Creek and Dodgeton Trails and can make a nice loop with Shortcut and Dodgeton Trails.

Trinchera Peak - Trinchera Peak is located above Cuchara and this four-wheel drive road gets you a few miles closer to the summit. Travel through conifers to tree line, where all but high clearance 4 WD vehicles.

Trinchera Peak Four-Wheel Drive Road - Trinchera Peak is located above Cuchara and this four-wheel drive road gets you a few miles closer to the summit. Travel through conifers to tree line, where all but high clearance 4 WD vehicles.