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.

Camp site features

Across 1 camp site:

Picnic table: all 1 sites
Largest party: 8 people

Directions

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.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 11 AM.

Reviews

8 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

Donica B

Loop:Black Bear

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Absolutely loved staying here. Wonderful and beautiful location.

Ben N

Loop:Black Bear

Site:

Reviewed 5 years ago

Great location, nice and rustic cabin that had everything we needed.

Being H

Loop:Black Bear

Site:

Reviewed 5 years ago

Black Bear Ranger Station is the best ranger station we have ever rented so far. It was clean and everything was in working condition. We appreciate that cleaning crews were there periodically. We left it as clean as we arrived. It is located inside of the beautiful Mesa Lake Recreation Area with many trails nearby. We enjoyed the peak of fall colors around it. Will rent it again.

Ola P

Loop:Black Bear

Site:

Reviewed 5 years ago

-we were inadvertently told the wrong combination for the gate lock and phone numbers given did not work after hours, so we had to hand carry our luggage from the gate to the cabin. Fortunately, the combination for the cabin was correct. The Grand Junction ranger office provided the correct code the following day and were apologetic. -one of the three single beds and the queen sofa beds are uncomfortable. We were only able to get a good nights sleep when combining the mattresses from two sofa beds on the floor with the sofa cushions. The sofa bed frames were skewed and sloping.; the mattresses were good. Two single beds were firm and comfortable. - the sofas seem fairly new and both they and the chairs were comfortable to sit on - mouse droppings on floor on arrival, so we had to sweep to feel comfortable. Sweeping and mopping on departure necessary. Ample cleaning supplies are provided in two closets and the basement; however, mops were old and some were quite dirty themselves. -the bathroom in the basement is old but adequate; the attached shower works but is structurally questionable and seemed to have significant water damage and mold and should be upgraded ASAP. - the lights and stove worked well; the kitchen plates, pots, silverware, etc. were adequate and in a good state - the water quality seemed to be very good, apparently coming from a well; the outdoor spicket was useful. - the location of this classic, sturdy cabin is very nice, overlooking a meadow, pond, creek, forest, and a distant ridge. Saw a number of deer. Several good hiking trails in area. Good fishing at Sunset Lake despite low water level. Cabin is well isolated from the nearby campground by a small tree-covered ridge so site feels private. However, several hikers passed very near cabin each day (one even peering in the windows), so it isn't truly private -no cell phone coverage in cabin; reliable coverage at Sunset Lake parking lot -despite the criticisms, we enjoyed our multi-day stay

Rebecca C

Loop:Black Bear

Site:

Reviewed 5 years ago

This cabin is located in such a beautiful spot. There is so much to see and it’s not today from town.

Eileen W

Loop:Black Bear

Site:

Reviewed 5 years ago

Black Bear Cabin is fantastic. great location and trails within walking distance around the Mesa Lakes/Jumbo Reservoir area... or you can drive less than 5 -8 miles and find tons of great trails to hike or mountain bike. Cabin had everything, even heat for the cold night and a hot shower!!! I will go back. Worth every penny!!

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve