The White River National Forest has issued a public safety order that requires all campers at the popular Gore Creek Campground near Vail to utilize hard-sided campers and trailers. The order bans the use of tents, pop-up tent trailers, and truck-bed tent campers with concerns related to increased bear activity being behind the change.

A press release on the matter indicates that a bear in the area has been observed showing little fear of humans and that it’s already damaged two unoccupied tents during two separate instances. It continues to return to the campground at all hours of the day with the banning of tents and other soft-sided temporary dwellings being described as a “proactive” safety measure.

It’s likely that the search for food is what’s drawing the bear to the campground, with it worth noting that between May 15 and October 1, a strict food-storage order gets put in place annually for all developed campgrounds in White River National Forest. This order prohibits the possession of food, trash, or other potential bear attractants (including personal care products) unless:

• An adult is within 100 feet of the potential attractant and awake and alert
• It’s stored in a U.S. Forest Service provided trash, recycling, or food storage container
• It’s stored in a closed and locked vehicle of solid material and without openings, it’s stored in a hard-sided building
• It’s stored at least 10 feet off the ground and four feet from any tree or pole
• It’s stored by another Forest Supervisor or District Ranger approved method

“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,” said Eagle-Holy Cross District Ranger Leanne Veldhuis.

The press release on the tent-camping ban at Gore Creek Campground does not address how long the ban is expected to be in place.

So, there you have it – while tent camping tends to be how most people camp in Colorado, it will be important to check the rules at the specific campsite you’re headed to in order to see if it’s allowed this summer.

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