Blue Lakes

Blue Lakes in Huerfano County is a collection of small, crystal-clear alpine lakes at the base of the Spanish Peaks in southern Colorado. Carrying a perfect 5.0 rating from visitors, these lakes deliver the kind of pristine mountain beauty that feels almost spiritual — more than one visitor has described the setting as the closest they have been to nature at its purest. The water is remarkably clear, the surrounding peaks frame every view, and the compact size of the lakes makes the entire area feel intimate and immersive.

Fishing is the primary draw at Blue Lakes. Trout inhabit these waters, and you will see anglers working the shoreline on any given summer day. The lakes are small enough that you can cover the water thoroughly from shore, though the fishing can be hit or miss — visitors report seeing plenty of people with lines in the water without always seeing fish landed. A Colorado fishing license is required, and light tackle or fly gear suits the scale of these lakes well.

Camping around Blue Lakes has become extremely popular, and that popularity is the biggest thing to know before you go. What was once a quiet, hidden spot has become one of Huerfano County's worst-kept secrets. On summer weekends, dispersed camping areas around the lakes fill up fast, with people wedging into every available flat spot. The crowds have changed the character of the experience for long-time visitors — expect noise, neighboring campers in close proximity, and a social atmosphere rather than solitude. Weekday visits or shoulder-season trips are the best strategy for finding the quieter experience the lakes used to offer.

Blue Lakes sits at elevation in the Spanish Peaks Wilderness area, accessible via forest roads from the Huerfano County side. The drive in is manageable but unpaved. There are no developed facilities at the lakes — no restrooms, no water, no trash collection. Everything you bring in must be packed out. The closest services are in the small communities along the Highway 12 Scenic Byway or in Walsenburg, the Huerfano County seat. Despite the growing crowds, Blue Lakes remains a genuinely beautiful destination with water clarity and mountain views that justify the hype. Visit midweek, practice Leave No Trace, and you will understand why this place inspires the kind of devotion its regulars feel.