wildernet

Camping: Colorado

Quick Facts

Bison Lake Campground

Elevation:	10,760 Feet (3354.1 Meters)
Length of Stay:	14 Days
Reservation Status:	Not Accepted

Outfitters and Guides

		Satellite and Topo Map

General Description

Mountain biking near Deep and Heart Lakes

Bison lake is a very small campground with no designated sites. There is a room for trailers and RVs. Drinking water and trash disposal are not available. Please pack out whatever you pack in. Water may be obtained from the Broken Rib Spring 12.5 miles back down the Coffee Pot Road, FDR 600, but is not tested regularly by the Forest Service. There is one vault toilet.

Located at an elevation of 10,760 feet, the campground sits in an open area the edge of the small, Bison Lake. The surrounding landscape is relatively flat with a spruce/fir forest.

AREA ATTRACTIONS:
4-WHEEL DRIVE ROADS
There are a number of 4-wheel drive roads for use by jeeps, ATVs and motorcycles around the Heart Lake and Deep Lake areas. FDR 618, 632, 641, 642, 643, 644 and 645 are all popular. Please stay on the roads. The subalpine meadows are fragile and do not readily recover from off-road driving.

FISHING
There are no fish in Bison Lake. Nearby 480 acre Heart Lake, has brook trout which are regularly stocked by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Bank fishing is difficult because of a shallow shoreline. Fishing from small boats is best, but fishermen are reminded that gas-powered motors are not allowed on Heart Lake.

Directions from Eagle: Travel 12 miles west of Eagle on I-70 to the Dotsero exit. Follow signs for Sweetwater/Burns, turning north onto the Colorado River Road. Go 1.8 miles, turning left onto the Coffee Pot Road, FDR 600. Stay on this road for 28 miles, turning left at the sign onto FDR 601. Continuing on this road, after 1/2 mile, you will pass Klines Folly Campground. Take the left fork in the road. After another .8 miles go right onto FDR 640. After traveling 2 miles on FDR 640, you will reach Bison Lake.

Directions from Vail: Travel 43 miles west on I-70 to the Dotsero exit. Follow signs for Sweetwater/Burns, turning north onto the Colorado River Road. Go 1.8 miles, turning left onto the Coffee Pot Road, FDR 600. Stay on this road for 28 miles, turning left at the sign onto FDR 601. Continuing on this road, after 1/2 mile, you will pass Klines Folly Campground. Take the left fork in the road. After another .8 miles go right onto FDR 640. After traveling 2 miles on FDR 640, you will reach Bison Lake.

Directions from Beaver Creek: Travel 34 miles west on I-70 to the Dotsero exit. Follow signs for Sweetwater/Burns, turning north onto the Colorado River Road. Go 1.8 miles, turning left onto the Coffee Pot Road, FDR 600. Stay on this road for 28 miles, turning left at the sign onto FDR 601. Continuing on this road, after 1/2 mile, you will pass Klines Folly Campground. Take the left fork in the road. After another .8 miles go right onto FDR 640. After traveling 2 miles on FDR 640, you will reach Bison Lake.

Seasonal Information:
Normal Services Available: July through September (NOTE: Access dependent upon snow) .

Fee Information

Type	Price	Remarks
non fee campground	Call for Current Fee	No trash services, please pack

Current Conditions & Trip Reports

Closed for the season Updated: 2002-01-16 09:40:00.0

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Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	Camping	Bison Lake Campground	Yes
	Cold Water Fishing	On nearby Heart Lake.	No
	Four-Wheel Driving	FDR 618, 632, 641, 642, 643, 644, 645 are all popular.	No

Related Activities

Coffee Pot Road - The Coffee Pot Road, a gravel road which climbs over 4000 feet from the Colorado River, up onto the Flat Tops to Deep Lake, is a main access point for the south end of the Flat Tops.

Heart Lake - 480 acre Heart Lake sits on the Flat Tops, northwest of Eagle, at an elevation of 10,708 feet.

The Flat Tops Area - The area discussed here consists of the south end of the Flat Tops, accessed by the Coffee Pot Road, which provides a vast area for multiple outdoor recreation activities.