Pawnee

9054 U.S Hwy 285
Morrison, CO 80465

Notice

1/2

FF site listings do not automatically mean a site is available. This Facility does not have the ability to mark sites that were paid for at the campground as reserved. Admittance to First Come First Served sites is not accepted until 2P.M. Do not arrive prior to that time as you are not able to access the campground until sites have been emptied, cleaned, and sanitized.

Jul 30, 2026 – Jul 31, 2027

Overview

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.

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.

Facilities

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

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.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (530) 529-0578.

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.

Charges & Cancellations

Modifications for this campground must be made through Recreation.gov or by calling the call center at 1-877-444-6777 PRIOR to your reservation start date. Customers and contact center agents cannot modify reservations on or after the check-in date.

Camp site features

Across 45 camp sites:

Picnic table: all 45 sites
Pets allowed: all 45 sites
ADA accessible: 2 of 45 sites
Longest RV: 100 ft
Largest party: 15 people
Equipment: CARAVAN/CAMPER VAN, FIFTH WHEEL, PICKUP CAMPER, POP UP, RV, Tent, Trailer

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.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

308 reviews

5 stars

239

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Karen L

Loop:Moose

Site:

Reviewed 14 days ago

One of the best campgrounds we've been to. Small and quiet with private sites (on the Moose loop). Clean restrooms and many to choose from. So close the the lake with walking paths. The hosts are always amazing, caring, and helpful. Hard to get a spot, but worth trying almost daily once the small window of camping there opens up. Enjoy!

Jill H

Loop:Moose

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

The campground hosts were helpful and friendly. The campground was very well maintained.

Holly & Scott M

Loop:Walk In

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

We had a walk in campsite rather than the ones that accommodate RVs and campers. This is our preference - lots of privacy in a beautiful wooded setting. The camp hosts were great - friendly and nice to talk with. And they kept the bathrooms very clean! It is an easy walk to Brainard Lake from the campsites. Beautiful at sunset and you may even get lucky to see a moose or two.

Jessica D

Loop:Walk In

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Very beautiful and clean campground! Some of the cleanest campground bathrooms I’ve ever seen. Really liked the bear box at our campsite!

Dmitry S

Loop:Moose

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Beautiful location, lots of hiking around, clean sites and toilets, host is great!

Dmitry S

Loop:Moose

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Beautiful location, lots of hiking around, clean sites and toilets, host is great!

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve

Season dates

Peak season

Jun 25, 2027 – Sep 11, 2027

Reservable online

Peak season

Jun 23, 2028 – Sep 9, 2028

Reservable online

Camp Sites

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Pawnee

Overview

Recreation

Facilities

Natural Features

Contact Info

Nearby Attractions

Charges & Cancellations

Camp site features

Directions

Stay Limit

Reviews

Season dates

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