Openings · last 7 days
0
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-233216
When Black Bear Cabin at Mesa Lakes (CO) reopens
Black Bear Cabin at Mesa Lakes (CO)'s openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
5
Openings · last 90 days
7
Only 7 openings in the last 90 days: not enough recent activity for a reliable pattern. A free Campsite Sniper alert watches around the clock instead, and pings you the moment one opens.
02 · Availability Outlook · Sep 18 – Sep 28, 2026 · of 1 monitored site
Of the 11 tracked site-nights (Sep 18 – Sep 28, 2026): 5 open for online reservation · 6 reserved.
Where the open windows are
54.5% of tracked site-nights are not currently open for online reservation. 5 of 11 remain open; here is where they are.
Load status
Sep 18 – Sep 28, 2026Not open online54.5%
Open site-nights5 / 11
Reserved (of online inventory)6 / 11
Weekday openings5
Weekend openings0
Of the open cabin-nights on mapped sites, 5 fall on weekdays and 0 on weekends (Fri–Sun).
Open dates by month
Sep 2026 – Sep 2026September holds the most room. 5 of 11 site-nights are still open there.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 1 cabin| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | SAT Sep 5 | 0 | None open |
| SUN Sep 6 | 0 | None open | |
| MON Sep 7 | 0 | None open |
Labor Day: no online availability on any tracked night.
Availability
Most open cabin-nights · tracked window| Cabin | Open cabin-nights |
|---|---|
| Black Bear | 5 |
This cabin currently has 5 cabin-nights available.
Next windows
As of Sep 18, 2026 snapshotNext open dateMon · Sep 21
The next bookable night is Sep 21. Campsite Sniper can watch later dates for you.
Stays and site detail
5 open cabin-nights across 1 cabin at Black Bear Cabin at Mesa Lakes (CO), from the same hourly snapshot as everything above.
Multi-night stays. 1 2-night, 1 3-night openings where a single site is free for every night, per Campsite Sniper's current snapshot — soonest Sep 21 at site Black Bear.
All 1 cabin with current availability
| Cabin | Max RV | Hookups | Open cabin-nights | Longest run | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Bear | Not recorded | None | 5 | 4 nights | Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 28 |
About Black Bear Cabin at Mesa Lakes (CO)
Overview
Black Bear Cabin at Mesa Lakes offers guests the opportunity to experience an overnight stay in a traditional Forest Service Ranger Station. The original Black Bear Cabin was constructed in the 1930s, where rangers worked for years overseeing the expansive forest.
The cabin is about a 45-minute drive from Grand Junction area of western Colorado, and plenty of canoeing, mountain biking and fishing activities are within reach. From mid-August through October, guests can enjoy fall colors with extensive golden aspen stands surrounding the area. A large grass yard fronts the cabin, which can be used for family gatherings and weddings. This cabin is not ADA accessible.
Recreation
A popular mountain biking and horseback riding trail, West Bench Trail #501, connects the seven lakes of the Mesa Lakes Recreation Area. The cabin is also within walking distance to a carry-down boat ramp for canoeing and kayaking.
The Grand Mesa Scenic Byway is well worth exploring. The byway passes near the cabin and offers 63 miles of scenery as it climbs from the rugged canyon floor up to the forested mesa tops at 11,000 feet. The road passes sparkling lakes and meadows bursting with wildflowers.
Facilities
The semi-rustic log cabin has a living area and bedroom on the main floor, and a bathroom with a flush toilet and shower is in the basement. The kitchen is equipped with a refrigerator and an electric stove. Electric lighting and heat are provided.
Sleeping accommodations for five adults include queen size sofa sleeper and three twin size beds; air mattresses or cots can be brought in to accommodate three additional people for a total of eight guests. No RVs, campers, or tents allowed near facility to accommodate more people. Basic cooking and eating utensils, plates, knives, forks, spoons, cups, and basic pots and pans are furnished. Cleaning supplies are included as well.
Guests should bring bedding, warm clothes, food, a first aid kit, towels, dish soap and typical camping gear. Click here for more cabin details.
Natural Features
Black Bear is perched on a grassy lawn, partially shaded by large pines. Spruce, fir and aspen are among the surrounding trees. At an elevation of 9,500, the cabin is in close proximity to several mountain lakes, including Waterdog Reservoir and Jumbo Reservoir. Mesa Creek flows nearby.
A variety of wildlife, including deer, elk and moose, frequents the area.
Nearby Attractions
Grand Mesa Visitor Center is a short drive away at Island Lake. The center offers educational exhibits, a bookstore and a high-altitude wildflower garden containing over 50 native species.
The town of Cedaredge, 26 miles from the campground, is home to Pioneer Town, a 19th-century village with frontier museums and over 20 structures housing a schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, saloon and jail. Cedaredge's Applefest is held annually in October.
1 monitored cabinNo hookups1 shadedMax party 8
Getting there
From Grand Junction, CO, take I-70 east for 13 miles. Take exit 49 to Highway 65 South toward Grand Mesa. Continue for 25 miles and turn right into Mesa Lakes Recreation Area. Take the second right and follow along Sunset Lake shore. On approach to the lake's spillway, you will come to a gate. The gate is opened by combination lock. Open gate and follow through on a single lane road about 100 yards. Cabin is sign posted and parking is in front of the cabin.
CO
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHistoric & Cultural SiteHorseback RidingHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedHuntingInterpretive ProgramsVisitor CenterWildlife Viewing
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
03 · Field Photos · roll CS-233216 · facility + sites
Photo gallery
Roll CS-233216 · Black Bear Cabin at Mesa Lakes (CO) · CO7 frames · facility + sites
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Black Bear Cabin at Mesa Lakes (CO)?
Reservations for Black Bear Cabin at Mesa Lakes (CO) are made through Recreation.gov. 5 of 11 tracked site-nights are currently open (45.5%). Campsite Sniper has also detected 7 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Sep 18, 2026 16:19 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
How often do new openings appear at Black Bear Cabin at Mesa Lakes (CO)?
Campsite Sniper detected 7 site-date openings here over the last 90 days, none in the last 7. A free alert watches around the clock and pings you the moment one appears.
Can I get a multi-night stay at Black Bear Cabin at Mesa Lakes (CO)?
1 three-night opening is showing, counting only runs where the SAME site is free for all three nights. The soonest starts Sep 21 at site Black Bear. Confirm and book on Recreation.gov.
Which month has the most availability at Black Bear Cabin at Mesa Lakes (CO)?
September 2026, with 5 open site-nights in the current snapshot of 11.
When is the next open date at Black Bear Cabin at Mesa Lakes (CO)?
As of the Sep 18, 2026 snapshot: the next open date is Mon, Sep 21. Detected openings can add earlier dates at any time; a free Campsite Sniper alert catches those the moment they appear.
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