Colorado Campsite Bans Tents After Bear Claws at One With Kids Inside

A hair-raising incident that has thankfully left two children unharmed has resulted in a swift response by the U.S. Forest Service in Colorado. During a camping trip last week at Difficult Campground, just south of Aspen, Colorado, a pair of children had a midnight encounter with a black bear that left both their family and officials shaken.

The incident, which occurred at night in the White River National Forest, involved a bear scratching a tent with two children inside, leaving puncture marks but causing no injuries. According to reports, the children’s parents were sleeping in a separate tent beside them and were unaware of the encounter until the next morning when the children reported what had happened.

“The next morning, they were like, ‘Hey, mom, a bear was here,’” one of the campground hosts told the Aspen Times. “The kids were totally fine. They were a little freaked out, but they still went hiking later with their parents. They were not traumatized.”

While the bear’s behavior was not deemed aggressive, it highlighted ongoing concerns about bear activity in the area, prompting a ban on soft-sided shelters at Difficult Campground and Difficult Group Site.

The following morning, the U.S. Forest Service issued directive 2025-16, banning tents, pop-up tent trailers, truck-bed tents, and other soft-sided shelters at Difficult Campground and Difficult Group Site. Only hard-sided campers or trailers are now permitted. The ban, described as a precautionary measure, aims to protect both campers and bears while addressing increased bear activity. Approximately 20 tent campers were relocated to nearby campgrounds or refunded. The restriction is set to remain in place until at least July 2025, pending further evaluation.

“This is about ensuring safety for everyone, including the bears,” said Dave Boyd, a spokesperson for the White River National Forest. “No serious injuries occurred, but we want to prevent any escalation.”