Pawnee

Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee Ng

Pawnee Campground is located in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area, off the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, 35 miles south of Estes Park and the main entrance to the Rocky Mountain National Park. Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing, canoeing and hiking opportunities.

The campground offers several single-family campsites, each equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided.

Need to Know

• Check in time is 1 pm. Do not arrive prior to that time as you are not able to access the campground until your site has emptied and the campground has been cleaned and sanitized. There is nowhere at Pawnee or nearby for you to wait or to turn around.

• Visitors with a Pawnee Campground reservation do not need to purchase a timed ticket to enter, but must show proof of their campground reservation. Parking limited to Pawnee Campground for the duration of the reservation. A separate timed ticket is required to park at other lots in the fee area (including trailheads).

• No RV water connections are available.
• Be sure to reserve a site that will accommodate your equipment; check the campsite details. You may not move to another campsite.
• This is bear country! For bear and human safety, keep a clean campsite and do not place food or other attractants in your tent. For more information about visiting bear country, contact Colorado Parks and Wildlife at http://wildlife.state.co.us
• Due to the unpredictable snow drifting you may be moved to another site at Pawnee Campground up until mid-July.
• Operated by American Land & Leisure. You may contact us at www.AmericanLL.com or 801-226-3564.
• Click here for more information on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest
• Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.

• Check for hunting season dates. https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/HuntingSeasonDatesAndFees.aspx 

Natural Features

The campground lies at the foot of the Continental Divide, next to 25-acre Brainard Lake and the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area at an elevation of 10,350 feet. A scenic forest of spruce and fir trees covers the area. Summertime temperatures are warm in the day and cool at night. Afternoon thunderstorms are common.

Nearby Attractions

The town of Nederland is 14 miles south of the campground, offering grocery and hardware stores, restaurants, gas, a bank and a post office.

Rocky Mountain National Park's main entrance is 35 miles north in Estes Park. With lush valleys and craggy peaks reaching elevations higher than 14,000 feet, visitors are provided opportunities for countless breathtaking experiences and adventures. Scenic driving, hiking, backpacking, fishing, horseback riding and wildlife viewing are popular activities in the park.

Estes Park is a full-service community. Dining, shopping, rafting, fly-fishing, horseback riding and golfing opportunities are available there. Lake Estes offers boating, sailboarding and fishing.

Recreation

Brainard Lake is a popular destination for canoeing, kayaking and fishing. Anglers cast for rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout. Long Lake, Red Rock Lake and Left Hand Reservoir are nearby.

Several trails in the area provide access to the adjacent Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. Hiking is allowed on all trails; mountain biking is allowed outside the wilderness area. Rock climbing, snowshoeing and cross country skiing are often available, weather permitting.

Contact Information

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ARAPAHO AND ROOSEVELT CO

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 303-541-2500

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From Denver, travel north on Interstate 25 to U.S. Highway 36 West to Boulder. Continue on Colorado Highway 119 (Canyon Boulevard) for 22 miles to Nederland, then go north on Colorado Highway 72 to Ward. Turn left at the sign and travel 5 miles to Brainard Lake Recreation Area.

Available Campsites

• Site 008, Loop ELK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 027, Loop MOOSE, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 024, Loop MOOSE, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 015, Loop MOOSE, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 028, Loop MOOSE, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 033, Loop MOOSE, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 013, Loop ELK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 035, Loop MOOSE, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 002, Loop ELK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 038, Loop MOOSE, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 014, Loop ELK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site W1, Loop WALK IN, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 025, Loop MOOSE, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 009, Loop ELK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 016, Loop MOOSE, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 017, Loop MOOSE, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site W7, Loop WALK IN, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 019, Loop MOOSE, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site W5, Loop WALK IN, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site W2, Loop WALK IN, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 034, Loop MOOSE, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 037, Loop MOOSE, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 026, Loop MOOSE, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 036, Loop MOOSE, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 004, Loop ELK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 039, Loop MOOSE, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 021, Loop MOOSE, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 030, Loop MOOSE, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 029, Loop MOOSE, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site W8, Loop WALK IN, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 005, Loop ELK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 012, Loop ELK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 020, Loop MOOSE, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 022, Loop MOOSE, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 032, Loop MOOSE, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site W6, Loop WALK IN, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 003, Loop ELK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 023, Loop MOOSE, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 018, Loop MOOSE, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site W4, Loop WALK IN, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 010, Loop ELK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 006, Loop ELK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 031, Loop MOOSE, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 001, Loop ELK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site W3, Loop WALK IN, Type Tent Only Nonelectric

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