It is bear season in Colorado and across the western U.S. On June 11, the United States Forest Service (USFS) banned tent camping at one of the Roaring Fork Valley’s most popular campgrounds after a black bear swiped at a tent with two sleeping children inside. This week, USFS rescinded the tent ban, but is still encouraging campers to remain vigilant and practice bear safety.
Following the bear incident, USFS relocated or refunded all tent campers who had reservations at Difficult Campground. That incident had not been the first bear encounter that campers had at this campground this year, USFS said, and bears have continued to be seen in the area.
Nevertheless, since there have been no further incidents, the prohibition on tents was lifted on June 20.
GearJunkie visited Difficult Campground and spoke with the host. She asked to remain anonymous, but confirmed that it’s very common to see bears in the area.
“One was just chilling out in my campsite this morning,” she said. “This is their home.”
In fact, she added, the bears are so local to the area, some have names, like Brutus, a bear who’s been frequenting Difficult Campground for around 8 years. So, seeing the bears isn’t unusual; however, their current boldness around campers is.
“They’re not backing down at the moment, which is very concerning to Forest Services and us,” the host said. “Normally, if you yell at a black bear, they run. These guys are like, ‘I might be able to take you.'”
Tents Welcomed Back, Bears Still in Area
Neither of the children involved in last week’s bear encounter was hurt. According to the Aspen Times, their tent had some claw marks from where the bear had punctured the sidewall. But the children “weren’t traumatized” and went hiking with their parents the next day.
David Boyd, a USFS public affairs officer, told GearJunkie that the bear was fine, too. It didn’t get into any food, and no one was harmed, so it didn’t need to be relocated or euthanized.
Still, the incident was one that the USFS didn’t want to take chances with.
“[We] are taking this proactive step for public safety,” Deputy District Ranger Jennifer Schuller said in a press release announcing the Difficult Campground tent ban on June 11. She said USFS was also coordinating closely with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).
Difficult Campground is just 9 minutes east of Aspen toward Independence Pass. It’s surrounded by thick vegetation, berry plants, and bushes, and sits just a few hundred yards from the Roaring Fork River.
It’s got 47 sites that are booked out weeks and months in advance due to its proximity to town, as well as many trails, lakes, streams, and more. Even after this incident and during the tent prohibition, the host said she was overbooked with guests.
One camper visiting from the Netherlands told GearJunkie she and her boyfriend received an email from USFS about the tent ban ahead of their stay. Her boyfriend bought a canister of bear spray, “just in case.”
Another family of campers who’d been visiting annually for 11 years said they’d never seen a bear at Difficult Campground. But they always camp in a trailer specifically because it’s safer from wildlife.
“I know it isn’t 100%,” said Michelle, the mother. “But it’s at least a little better.”
Staying Bear Safe During Bear Season
Difficult Campground was not subtle about its bear safety signage when I visited. Two big whiteboards greeted guests as they entered, warning about the tent ban and the presence of bears. Those have since been removed.
The fee station has a large sign about the best bear safety practices. Every campsite has bear-resistant storage lockers for food and signs zip-tied to the tables with even more bear safety information.
“The key is keeping bears from getting a food reward from humans,” Boyd said. “We do not want them to learn that a campground is a good place to find food.”
The Difficult Campground host said it goes beyond what we consider “food,” too. Garbage, shampoo, conditioner, makeup, body spray, soap, toothpaste, or anything else that smells edible to a bear needs to be securely stored at night, either in a bear storage locker, a bear-resistant container, your camper, or a locked vehicle.
“Keeping bears from getting your food keeps you safe, keeps your neighboring campers and the campers who follow you safe, and helps keep the bears safe,” Deputy District Ranger Schuller said.
