The Blue Lakes area trailhead, accessed from County Road 7 approximately 12 miles southwest of Ridgway, Colorado, has been temporarily closed by the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests, with the closure expected to remain through August 2025.
The closure was put in place for trailhead construction and restoration efforts and will be lifted as soon as it’s safe to access the area. The efforts mark the start of the first phase of the Blue Lakes visitor use manegement plan designed to improve visitor experiences while ensuring long-term sustainability of the area’s natural resources.
With funds from the Great American Outdoors Act, the trailhead parking area will be reconstructed and two new vault restrooms will be installed. Additionally kiosks, interpretive panels, and additional signage will be installed, invasive plants will be cataloged, and the forest will develop a monitoring plan for improved visitor use metrics.
Through partnerships with the National Forest Foundation and Southwest Conservation Corps, the Forest Service will begin work to establish new designated camping areas and complete restoration work on social trails and impacted sites.
The closure area begins along the road starting Forest Service boundary at the end of County Road 7 and extends to the Mount Sneffels Wilderness boundary on the Blue Lakes Trail. Both the Dallas and Wilson Creek trails will see portions closed as well.
