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Pawnee Campground
Ward, Colorado · Federal campground · books through recreation.gov, on a rolling reservation window.
Out near Ward sits Pawnee Campground, one of Colorado's federal campgrounds, managed under Brainard Lake Recreation Area. It sits about 39 miles northwest of downtown Denver as the crow flies, with Ward as the nearest supply town on our board.
Campers rate it 4.7 of 5 across 92 reviews on RVParks.us, our sister directory, where the photo sets and firsthand reports live.
Getting there is the easy part: the run points up US-36 and into the Peak to Peak country and it's close enough that an after-work Friday start still lands you at camp in daylight. Traffic is the only variable that matters this close in, so mind the metro rush windows and the trip stays painless.
At about 10,336 feet, this is true high country camping. The season runs short, roughly late spring through September, and nights stay cold all summer. Pack for frost in July, and make sure the furnace in your rental is one we vouch for.
Set expectations before you pack: federal campgrounds mostly run dry, meaning no hookups at the site. Arrive with full fresh tanks and charged batteries, know your generator's posted hours, and plan tank capacity around the length of the stay. The rigs in our fleet list tank sizes plainly, and we'll match you to one that can go the distance off-grid.
Booking a Site Here
Sites here book through recreation.gov on a rolling window, and summer weekends vanish within minutes of opening. Set a calendar reminder for the morning your window releases and be logged in early. First come first served loops, where they exist, fill by Friday noon in July.
Pairing It With a Camper
From the Denver metro, plan on it as a close-in trip: it sits inside the delivery radius quoted on many of our listings, so a trailer can be waiting at your site before you leave work. Reserve the site in your own name first, then match the rig to the pad length and hookups. Our camper listings state length, tanks and power draw plainly, and we answer campground fit questions all day.
Contact & Location
- Reviews and photos: this park on RVParks.us
Season dates, fees and site rules change. Confirm the current details with the operator before you commit a weekend, and if something on this page has gone stale, tell us so the next camper gets it right.
What Campers Say
★★★★★It's our fourth time here and we love it. It's the most clean campground we have been. The spots are so spacious and in level. So many great trails nearby. The only thing you have to prepay for parking spot if you want to park at trailhead ($18). And no internet and cell phone service.
★★★★★Very nice and quiet place. Beautiful lakes, where you can walk. My favorite lake is the Blue Lake. Try to get there in August, when not all the ice on it has melted. Floating aisbergs and blue water are great. And the camp itself is very good.
★★★★★Very nice and quiet place. Beautiful lakes, where you can walk. My favorite lake is the Blue Lake. Try to get there in August, when not all the ice on it has melted. Floating aisbergs and blue water are great. And the camp itself is very good.
Straight answers
Quick Answers
Asked constantly, answered once, kept current.
How do I reserve a site at Pawnee Campground?
Through recreation.gov on its rolling reservation window. Summer weekends go within minutes of release, so set a reminder for the morning your window opens.
How high is Pawnee Campground?
About 10,336 feet by USGS elevation data. Nights run cold at altitude even in summer, so make sure your rental's furnace is up to it.
How do campers rate Pawnee Campground?
4.7 of 5 across 92 reviews on RVParks.us, our sister directory.
Can I get a rental camper delivered to Pawnee Campground?
It sits inside the delivery radius quoted on many of our Denver listings. Reserve your site, then pick delivery at checkout and our crew sets it up before you arrive.
Book your site, then book a Denver camper. Pick it up in the metro, or go white glove: we deliver, level, hook up and set the camp before you arrive.
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