Blue Lakes blues
Popular destination closed for summer for resource management

We’ve likely all seen the Instagram posts of turquoise waters framed by towering spires and colorful wildflowers. And apparently so has everyone else, making the Blue Lakes area near Ouray – like many other picturesque high-alpine spots – a victim of its own well-publicized beauty.

But if you want to see the shimmering waters for yourself this summer, you’ll have to wait.

Overuse, resource damage, trash, human waste, congested trails and user conflicts have taken their toll, prompting the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests to implement a plan to protect the once-pristine 16,000-acre area. As part of the first phase of that plan, the Blue Lakes area will be closed from June 2 through August to allow crews to repair trails, improve parking and install two new vault toilets. 

In addition to this, the forest will install kiosks, interpretive panels and signage, catalog invasive plants, install temporary fences to preserve restored areas and develop an improved monitoring and outreach plans. The Forest Service will also build designated campsites and restore impacted sites through a partnerships with the National Forest Foundation and Southwest Conservation Corps.

The work is being funded by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA).

The closure starts at the Forest Service boundary at the end of CR 7 and extends to the Mount Sneffels Wilderness boundary. Portions of the Dallas and Wilson Creek trails will also be closed. 

The closure is expected to remain through August and will be lifted as soon as it is deemed safe to do so. After the work, Blue Lakes will go to a permit-only system, which is expected to be in place by spring 2026.

For the Blue Lakes Area Visitor Use Management Plan, go to: tinyurl.com/2fy2ajb4