Fees have been proposed for “one of the most iconic destinations in southwest Colorado.”

That’s how the U.S. Forest Service describes Blues Lakes, the chain of aqua-colored waters in Mount Sneffels Wilderness reached from a trail near Ridgway. 

Next year, hiking Blue Lakes Trail could cost $5 per person and a campsite could run $25 from June through September. Both day and overnight permits would be booked at Recreation.gov, which charges processing fees ー $1 for hiking, $6 for camping. 

The proposed fees were recently announced as “the next step in a larger effort to address overcrowding and resulting impacts in the Blue Lakes area.” 

The years-long effort led to the Blue Lakes Visitor Use Management Plan, published in 2024. The plan envisioned limiting hikers to 40 a day and overnighters to 24 while restoring vegetation, protecting water quality and wildlife and maintaining overall wilderness ideals deemed threatened. 

Those threats were outlined in a 2021 study that came at a time of record visitation across Colorado’s outdoors. An average of 164 hikers per day ー as many as 509 one day ー were counted along Blue Lakes Trail, and campsites were found to be spreading unchecked.

Restoring land and establishing campsites were among tasks last summer, while Blue Lakes Trail was closed. Work also saw a revamped parking lot now open to hikers this summer.

Ahead of the season, the Forest Service notified of changes and new regulations. Camping would not be allowed at the middle and upper lakes, overnight groups would be limited to six people and bear-resistant food storage would be required. A news release also reminded on waste being packed out and campfires being prohibited in the wilderness. 

“Overnight dispersed camping at the lower lake will still be available in 2026, but site availability will be limited,” the release added. “Many areas will remain temporarily cordoned off to allow restoration work to continue and to protect completed improvements.”

The Forest Service detailed the work as part of Phase 2 of the Blue Lakes Visitor Use Management Plan. The proposed fees could be part of Phase 3. 

“Fees would fund restoration of heavily damaged areas, increased ranger presence, trail and site maintenance and improvements to recreation area amenities,” according to the recent announcement. 

The Ouray Ranger District is taking public comments to the proposal through the end of August. A webinar is scheduled for 5 p.m. Monday, June 15. A link and more information can be found at tinyurl.com/2w27nu26. 

Following public comment, a citizen’s advisory committee ー “a broad array of recreation interest groups,” according to the Forest Service ー would make a recommendation, ahead of the fees potentially going into effect next summer. 

Similar to the proposal for Blue Lakes, popular sites in Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness require permits aimed at crowd control. Closer to the Front Range, camping permits are also required in Indian Peaks Wilderness, and timed-entry reservations apply to some trailheads.