Camping rules in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness keep lakes and streams clear

The peaks and lakes above Westcliffe draw a lot of backpackers, and to protect that high country the Forest Service has special rules for the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. They are stricter than on ordinary forest land, and they are easy to follow once you know them.

A few of the durable points: there are limits on how large a group can be, both for people and for groups that bring livestock. You are asked to keep your camp and your campfire set back a fixed distance from any stream or lake, and to keep pack and saddle animals back from the water too. The idea is to keep the shorelines undamaged and the water clean for everyone and for wildlife. Dogs and other animals must be leashed or under close verbal control.

These setbacks change how you plan. The prettiest flat spot right at a lake is usually off limits, so the move is to camp back in the trees, carry water from the lake to your camp, and look for established sites where they exist.

The exact numbers and any added restrictions can change when the order is renewed. Before a trip into the wilderness, read the current Sangre de Cristo Wilderness occupancy and use rules from the U.S. Forest Service.