The popular Blue Lakes Trail in Ridgway, Colorado will be temporarily closed for summer 2025!
🚨 The National Forest Service has issued a temporary closure for NFS Trail 201 (Blue Lakes Trail) for reconstruction starting June 2, 2025. It is in effect until Dec 31, 2025 unless rescinded but it’s expected to remain closed through August. However, you still have two potential options if you are looking to hike to the Blue Lakes and/ or Mt Sneffels 14,158 ft this upcoming hiking season.
Alternative Route to Hike Blue Lakes Colorado
The trail closure starts at the Blue Lakes Trailhead and ends at the Mount Sneffels Wilderness Boundary. According to the closure map, that is the only section of Blue Lakes area that is closed but it is not the only entry point—it’s just the main, easiest, and most popular entry point.
You can technically still access Upper, Middle, and Lower Blue Lake via Blue Lakes Pass, along with Mount Sneffels, through Yankee Boy Basin. The road to Yankee Boy Basin is really rough though so be prepared for a gnarly, high-clearance, true 4wd off-road experience to access the trailhead. Or be prepared to hike the road.
I’ve reached out to the forest service to confirm this and have not gotten a response so hike at your own risk, but their website indicates this area is not closed.
Second Option to Hike Blue Lakes Trail in 2025: Hiking in September
While the closure order is in effect until the end of this year, it’s predicted to last through August which means there is a chance it can open back up in September! & guess what—September is a GREAT time to hike the Blue Lakes Trail if it reopens. In fact, September is one of my favorite times to explore in the San Juan Mountains. I hiked and camped the trail on September 23-24 and the temps were perfect—you can read my full hiking guide and experience on my blog post here.
Other Vibrant Turquoise Blue Lake Hikes Nearby You Might Like
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Tiff, the owner and author of Follow Tiff’s Journey, is a California/ Colorado-based adventurer and outdoor connoisseur who divides her heart between the Eastern Sierra Mountains and the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Despite her fear of heights, she’s become a seasoned mountaineer, ultralight hiking and backcountry camping enthusiast, expert road trip planner, and a fervent explorer of alpine lakes, natural hot springs, and sandstone canyons.
With 10 years of experience exploring the outdoors, her blog is your go-to source for all things wilderness, offering invaluable insights and pro tips, essential gear recommendations, and awe-inspiring stories from her adventures.
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