Every winter, the bears of north-central Colorado load up on food and head to their dens, where they spend almost the entire time sleeping and conserving energy for spring. This leaves a perfect opportunity for nature enthusiasts to come get a closer look at one of the forest’s most fierce (or fiercely adorable) predators. 

Most of the bears in the Tripping Falls region are smaller black and brown bears, but reports of grizzly bear activity in the area aren’t unheard of. If a bear is threatened, or the food supply is thin that year, they have been known to emerge from their dens during hibernation to hunt or take care of any potential issues that threaten them or their cubs. 

But the chance of that happening while you visit is slim. Probably.