Camping in Colorado is more than a seasonal activity — it’s a cherished tradition for residents and visitors alike. Every summer, thousands of people head into the mountains to unwind and reconnect with nature. Many of them opt for tents or soft-sided pop-up campers, enjoying a closer-to-nature experience. However, recent developments have brought a halt to this practice at one popular site.
The U.S. Forest Service has imposed a ban on tents and soft-sided camping units at the Difficult Campground, located about four miles east of Aspen. This decision comes in response to a recent and alarming bear encounter involving two children. As reported by the Aspen Times, a black bear scratched and left puncture marks in a tent where a young boy and girl were sleeping during the early hours between Monday night and Tuesday morning. Fortunately, the children were not seriously harmed, but the incident raised significant concerns about camper safety.
Following this event, campground hosts informed the U.S. Forest Service, leading to the removal or refund of around 20 campers who were using tents on Tuesday afternoon. Officials also noted that there had been at least four separate bear sightings within the campground over the past week, highlighting an increased risk for those staying in soft-sided shelters.
As a result, the Forest Service has officially prohibited tents, pop-up tent trailers, and truck bed campers at the site. This move aims to reduce the chance of further wildlife interactions and to protect campers. Those with hard-sided trailers or RVs are still permitted to stay at the campground within the White River National Forest. The ban will remain in place until officials deem the area safe again for tent camping.
Related Topics
- Silver Falls State Park Reopens Campground with New Upgrades After 9-Month Closure
- Heartfelt Community Event Raises $65K for Red Deer Hospice Care
- Gidjuum Gulganyi: Australia’s New Four-Day Epic Hike Through Ancient Rainforests