Pawnee Campground

Area Status: Open

This campground has a total of 47 campsites for tents, campers, trailers, or RVs. Picnic tables, fire grates, water, vault toilets, and trash services are provided. Not provided: electricity, hook-ups, dump stations, or showers. All campsites with a tent pad have a bear locker. Eight people are allowed per site except for units 12 and 32 which will accommodate 15 people each.

Pawnee Campground visitors are subject to Brainard Lake Recreation Area fees.

Situated at the foot of the Continental Divide, Pawnee Campground is in a mature spruce-fir forest. Be prepared for cold and wet weather at any time. Hiking trails west of this campground enter into the Indian Peaks Wilderness.

View a campground map.

At a Glance

Fees:	Check the campground table for fee information. Senior, Age, and Access, passes provide cardholders a 50% discount on campground fees (this discount only applies to single campsites). Brainard Lake Recreation Area fees apply: Passenger Vehicles & RVs (per vehicle/3 days): $12 Vans (per vehicle/1 day): $30 Buses (per vehicle/1 day): $48 Motorcycles (per cycle/3 days): $7 Hiker/Biker/Walker (per person/3 days): $1 Short-term Bicyclist: 30 minute free pass American Land & Leisure Season Pass (passenger vehicles): $66 American Land & Leisure Season Pass (hiker/biker/walker): $24 Interagency Annual, Military, Senior or Access passes, Golden Age and Golden Access passes are accepted.
Usage:	Heavy
Restrictions:	Prohibited: Pack animals (horses/llamas); recreational shooting (except for legal hunting) and being on trails posted as closed. Brainard Lake Recreation Area Summer Season (May 1 - Nov 14): Dogs must be on a hand-held leash at all times; dispersed camping is prohibited. When open, camping is only allowed within Pawnee Campground (no camping is permitted in closed campgrounds). Brainard Lake Recreation Area Winter Season (Nov 15 - Apr 30): Motorized vehicles are prohibited; dogs allowed only on the Brainard Lake and Lefthand Park Reservoir Roads; camping is prohibited within 1/4 mile of developed recreation sites except Red Rock Lake. Fishing and Hunting: Permitted in accordance with regulations established by Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
Closest Towns:	Ward, Colorado
Water:	Drinking water
Restroom:	Vault toilets
Operated By:	Vista Recreation

General Information

Directions: From Colorado Highway 72 at Ward, turn west onto the Brainard Lake Road. Travel 2.5 miles to the entrance portal, and continue another two miles to Pawnee Campground, located on the east side of Brainard Lake.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Campground Camping

Pawnee Campground is located on the east side of Brainard Lake, and is the most popular campground on Boulder Ranger District. The scenery is spectacular and the forest provides deep shade, however, at its high elevation of 10,300 feet, Pawnee Campground is cooler and rainier than other campgrounds in the area. The operating season is short, typically lasting only from late June through early September.

No. of Sites	47
Reservation Info	Reservations can be made from up to 180 to a minimum of four days in advance of your arrival to the campground. Make reservations by phone at 1-877-444-6777 or online at: Pawnee, Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee Ng - Recreation.gov
Fire Information	Campfires are generally allowed, unless seasonal restrictions are in effect. Visitors may gather dead and down wood for burning while visiting the National Forest. Campgrounds with hosts offer firewood for sale; contact the campground host.
Sleeping Shelter	none
Difficulty Level:	Easy

RV Camping

Pawnee Campground is located on the east side of Brainard Lake, is the most popular campground on Boulder Ranger District. The scenery is spectacular and the forest provides deep shade, however, at its high elevation of 10,300 feet, Pawnee Campground is cooler and rainier than other campgrounds in the area. Due to the area's high elevation, the operating season is short, typically lasting only from late June through early September.

No. of Sites	47
Reservation Info	Campsites are reservable from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Make reservations by phone at 1-877-444-6777 or online at: recreation.gov
Fire Information	Campfires are generally allowed, unless seasonal restrictions are in effect. Visitors may gather dead and down wood for burning while visiting the National Forest. Campgrounds with hosts offer firewood for sale; contact the campground host.