Colorado · Hiking

Bear Lake

6.7 mi
round trip
1,695 ft
climb
11,571 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Bear Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Rio Grande National Forest. It doesn't name Bear Lake, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Rio Grande National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Bear Lake is a hard hike in Colorado's Rio Grande National Forest, within the Conejos Peak Ranger District. The trail is an out-and-back that climbs from about 9,700 feet to 11,571 feet, a gain of 1,695 feet over roughly 6.7 miles. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trailhead is named Bear Lake Trailhead, with parking at the same location. The route is open year-round. The trail is natural-surfaced and allows horses, but bikes are not permitted. That makes it a good fit for riders on horseback or on foot, and the climb is a significant one, so plan for a full day on the trail. Lake Fork Trail and Bear Lake Cutoff Trail both lie within about a mile and a half, and Lake Fork Campground is about 1.6 miles away. For a change of pace, the South Fork Conejos River offers canoeing about 5.3 miles off.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.