Warning

General

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).

Pawnee beauty
PAWNEE
PAWNEE
PAWNEE
PAWNEE

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly

Available sites

36 total sites

About Pawnee

Pawnee Campground is located in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area, off the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, 35 mi 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.

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly Pet friendly
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
Water Access

Water Access

  • Lake Access
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

36 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 001, Loop: ELK RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 002, Loop: ELK RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 003, Loop: ELK RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Pull-through
🚐 004, Loop: ELK RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 005, Loop: ELK RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 006, Loop: ELK RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 008, Loop: ELK RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 009, Loop: ELK RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 010, Loop: ELK RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 012, Loop: ELK RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 013, Loop: ELK RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 015, Loop: MOOSE RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Parallel
🚐 016, Loop: MOOSE RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Pull-through
🚐 017, Loop: MOOSE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 018, Loop: MOOSE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 019, Loop: MOOSE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 020, Loop: MOOSE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 023, Loop: MOOSE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 024, Loop: MOOSE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Pull-through
🚐 025, Loop: MOOSE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 026, Loop: MOOSE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 029, Loop: MOOSE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 030, Loop: MOOSE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Pull-through
🚐 031, Loop: MOOSE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 032, Loop: MOOSE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 035, Loop: MOOSE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Pull-through
🚐 036, Loop: MOOSE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 037, Loop: MOOSE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Pull-through
🚐 038, Loop: MOOSE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 039, Loop: MOOSE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ W1, Loop: WALK IN Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ W2, Loop: WALK IN Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ W4, Loop: WALK IN Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ W5, Loop: WALK IN Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ W6, Loop: WALK IN Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ W8, Loop: WALK IN Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire

Reviews (309)

What Guests Are Saying

Pawnee Campground receives high praise for its spacious, clean sites and friendly, attentive hosts. Visitors appreciate the easy access to stunning hiking trails and the beautiful surroundings, often spotting wildlife such as moose. While booking can be challenging due to its popularity, the overall experience is described as peaceful and well-maintained, making it a favorite camping destination in Northern Colorado.

Review Summary

4.6
309 reviews
5
77.3%
239
4
14.2%
44
3
3.6%
11
2
2.6%
8
1
2.3%
7

Ken D

Verified

August 2, 2020 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: MOOSE

5

Nice campsites, great location to hike from

Francis C

July 30, 2020

4

so sorry we could not burn a campfire

Todd C

July 24, 2020

4

Campground and restrooms were very clean! Entering at the gate was VERY slow and could/should be expedited for campers who already have paid reservations and park fees.

Get to this park before 8:00am! All parking lots fill quickly, including the Brainard Lake overflow lots.

Pete K

Verified

July 20, 2020 • Stayed at: 029, Loop: MOOSE

5

Such a beautifully awesome alpine campground, very spacious sites - great location right near Brainard Lake and some amazing hikes.

Carrie L

Verified

July 16, 2020 • Stayed at: 039, Loop: MOOSE

5

Beautiful and well kept campground. Lots of mosquitos while we were there (early July) due to run off moisture. Bathrooms could have been cleaner. There were TONS of flies in the women's restroom most of the weekend.

Rachel L

July 16, 2020

5

Wonderfully well maintained camp site, W7 was off the beaten path but not too far from parking. It sits right on a series of deer trails leading to a creek which was stunning. The actual spot was large and could comfortably fit a few 4 person tents or one large tent. The fire pit has an attached grill and the bear box was large enough to fit a large cooler in and then some. The host was super helpful and she sells fire wood at her site. Someone maintains the campsite paths daily with a rake and the toilets were spotless but overwhelmingly smelly. The lake is a short walk away from the sites and is absolutely so picture perfect. I enjoyed my stay so much that I promptly booked another reservation for the following month when I got home.

Cynthia W

Verified

July 14, 2020 • Stayed at: 031, Loop: MOOSE

5

Great hiking. Exceptionally clean restrooms. Very friendly and helpful camp hosts.

Ron M

July 12, 2020

5

Clean and private sites, short walk to the lake, many trails.

Anne-Marie M

Verified

July 8, 2020 • Stayed at: 038, Loop: MOOSE

5

The sites are very large & the scenery was spectacular! Will definitely be back!

Jon B

Verified

January 21, 2020 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: ELK

4

This is such a beautiful campground. A jewel of Colorado for what it offers. I've also always found the hosts to be on top of things and very friendly - also the park rangers.

Location & Directions for Pawnee

9054 U.S Hwy 285, Morrison, CO 80465 United States

Elevation: 2,954 ft

Nearest town

Morrison, CO - 59 mi

About over 1 hr (102 min) to downtown

Policies & Rules

Arrival & departure

Check in time

2PM

General

  • 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.
  • https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/arp 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 
  • All campsites must be occupied within 26 hours of the beginning of the reservation. If not present the site will be rented by first come first serve basis.
  • EXTRA VEHICLE FEES: One vehicle is included in your reservation. Any additional vehicles will be charged $8.00 per vehicle per night and will be collected by the camphost. There is not a way to pay for extra vehicles when you make your reservation. One vehicle consists of one camper being towed by vehicle, or any other vehicle towed behind camper. One van or one truck with camper attached counts as one vehicle. 
  • Fire Restrictions: Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. 
  • Modifications for this campground must be made through Recreation.gov PRIOR to your reservation start date. Customers and contact center agents cannot modify reservations on or after the check-in date.

Warnings & Advisories

Warning

General

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).

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 17, 2026

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Explore Morrison, CO

Population: 412

Nearby larger city

Boulder, CO

Approx. 18 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 5,764 ft

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service