Black Bear Cabin At Mesa Lakes (Co)
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Molina, CO, CO
Price: From $200 per night
Rating: 4.1 out of 5 (7 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Showers, Electric Hookups, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/black-bear-cabin-at-mesa-lakes-co to be notified when sites open up.
Black Bear Cabin at Mesa Lakes offers a unique overnight stay in a historic 1930s Forest Service Ranger Station with access to canoeing, mountain biking, and fishing activities within 45 minutes of Grand Junction. The location provides opportunities for fall foliage viewing from mid-August through October.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear, Wapiti, Pacific Marten, Boreal Owl, and Long-tailed Weasel present in the area
Insider tips for Black Bear Cabin At Mesa Lakes (Co): Book early as this is a federal campground with only 1 site This is a historic ranger station cabin, not a standard campground experience Fall colors peak mid-August through October
Skip Black Bear Cabin At Mesa Lakes (Co) if: You need electrical hookups - no hookups available at this site. You require year-round camping - seasonal operations May through October only. You're visiting November through April when the campground is closed.
Best time to visit Black Bear Cabin At Mesa Lakes (Co): August-October — Fall colors and optimal viewing conditions noted in official description. May-October — Full operational season for the campground.
Nearby campgrounds: Spruce Grove (Co) (Molina, CO), Jumbo Campground (Mesa, CO), Moose Manor Cabin (Mesa, CO), Island Lake Campground (Delta, CO).
Cell Phone Coverage at Black Bear Cabin At Mesa Lakes (Co)
Cell signal at Black Bear Cabin At Mesa Lakes (Co) (Molina, CO): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early as this is a federal campground with only 1 site
This is a historic ranger station cabin, not a standard campground experience
Fall colors peak mid-August through October
Fall colors and optimal viewing conditions noted in official description
Full operational season for the campground
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
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.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Black Bear Cabin At Mesa Lakes (Co) cost per night?+
What season is Black Bear Cabin At Mesa Lakes (Co) open?+
Does Black Bear Cabin At Mesa Lakes (Co) have hookups?+
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How do I make reservations at Black Bear Cabin At Mesa Lakes (Co)?+
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●Data sources on this page
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