Spruce Lake
Rocky Mountain National Park · Wilderness Permits
Spruce Lake in Colorado has 4 open booking windows on Recreation.gov right now, the soonest Sep 9–Sep 10. Reserve directly through the booking link above — cancellations go fast. To catch future openings the instant they appear, set a free CampSage cancellation alert.
Average Snow Melt-Out Date: June 24 Number of Sites: 2 (1-7 people per site) Elevation: 9,670 ft. Elevation Change: 1,520 ft. gain from Fern Lake TH, Net gain 190 ft. from Bear Lake TH (1,380 ft. gain; 1,190 ft. loss) Distance: 4.6 mi. from Fern Lake TH, 5.5 mi. from Bear Lake TH Privy: Yes
Camp safely away from standing dead trees as close to the silver metal arrowhead as possible. Carry in/out hard sided bear-resistant food storage canister required. NO FIRES, Fires Prohibited, Use portable stoves only. Purify water. Leave No Trace. **Hiking through recent burn area - use extreme caution with standing dead trees.** Fire damage area - foot bridges and trails may be damaged, impassable, or missing.
⚡ EV charging nearby
Nearest DC fast charging: 7.7 mi away.
From OpenStreetMap — community-mapped, so plug types can lag reality. Verify on your charging network’s app before counting on a charger.
📊 How often sites open up here
CampSage's scans caught 5 openings at Spruce Lake over the last 30 days, on 4 separate days, most of them for stays 56–58 days out and the openings typically covered 2–4 nights.
These are the openings our own scans saw — not a figure the booking system publishes. We re-check availability several times a day, so the real number can be higher.
🏕️ About this campground
💡 Insider tips from campers
❓ Spruce Lake FAQ
How do I get a wilderness permit for Spruce Lake?
Spruce Lake in Colorado is a backcountry camp area reserved through a wilderness permit on Recreation.gov. Use the “Book / check availability” button to open the permit itinerary builder, pick your entry date and camp areas, and reserve the permit.
How can I get a spot at Spruce Lake when it's fully booked?
Popular campgrounds like Spruce Lake often fill months ahead, but campers cancel every day and those sites reopen for booking. CampSage checks availability for you and sends a free email the instant a cancellation opens — set an alert on this page and you can grab the spot before anyone else.
How often do campsites open up at Spruce Lake?
CampSage's scans caught 5 openings at Spruce Lake over the last 30 days, on 4 separate days, most of them for stays 56–58 days out and the openings typically covered 2–4 nights. These are the openings our own scans saw — not a figure the booking system publishes. We re-check availability several times a day, so the real number can be higher.
Where is Spruce Lake located?
Spruce Lake is located in Rocky Mountain NP, Colorado. Tap “Directions” above for driving directions, or see nearby campgrounds lower on this page.
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