Copyright: L. Carr - US Forest Service Blue Lake

This campground consists of 15 single family units which provide a table, fire
ring with grill and parking spur at each unit. Drinking water is provided by a
well with a hand pump. Trash collection is provided by 7 bear-proofed 30-gal.
cans. Sanitation facilities consist of two double-unit vault toilets. Three
of the camp units and one of the toilets are handicapped accessible.
Campground loop roads and parking spurs are aggregate surfaced. The facilities
in this campground are in fair to good condition. Blue Lake has an average use
rate of 40% during the normal operating season.

Attractions include hiking trails, 4 wheel drive roads, lake and stream
fishing, and scenic viewing. There is also a stream running through the site.

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) .

Bear Lake Day Use Area - Bear Lake Parking and Day Use Area provides access to Blue Lake, Bear Lake Campground and the Indian Trail.

Blue Lake Day Use Area - Blue Lake Parking and Day Use Area has enough parking for 12 vehicles. Included in this site is a handicapped accessible trail to and along the south shoreline of the lake. The parking area and access trail are aggregate surfaced.

Cuchara Day Use Area #1 - The Cuchara Day Use Areas include four picnic areas. These sites are located along Forest Road 422, on Cuchara Creek, within the first two miles of the road.

Cuchara Day Use Area #2 - The Cuchara Day Use Areas include four picnic areas. These sites are located along Forest Road 422, on Cuchara Creek, within the first two miles of the road.

Cuchara Day Use Area #3 - The Cuchara Day Use Areas include four picnic areas. These sites are located along Forest Road 422, on Cuchara Creek, within the first two miles of the road.

Cuchara Day Use Area #4 - The Cuchara Day Use Areas include four picnic areas. These sites are located along Forest Road 422, on Cuchara Creek, within the first two miles of the road.

Cuchara Recreation Area - Cuchara Recreation Area gives outdoor enthusiasts a myriad of choices: picnicking, hiking and walking, hunting and lake fishing as well as a four-wheel drive road and trail suitable for ATVs and dirt bikes.

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).

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.

Trinchera Peak Trailhead - Access to Trinchera Peak Trailhead is located above Cuchara on the left side of Blue Lake, which is part of the Cuchara Recreation Area. There is some parking for 2 WD vehicles at the trailhead.