Pawnee Campground, Ward, CO

Pawnee Campground is located in the Boulder Ranger District of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests (50 min west of Boulder, CO) with an elevation of 9,688 feet. There are a total of 52 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of June to mid September. 31 sites can accommodate RVs between 33 and 150 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Fees range from $23.00 to $50.00.

Make a Reservation

Campsite Reviews (19053)

5.0 out of 5

5 star		100%
4 star		0%
3 star		0%
2 star		0%
1 star		0%

@JoanneRDA4ACC2 · Camped on Sep 4, 2024 at Campsite #33

What a great campground! We were in the Moose loop. So much great privacy between spots. Beautiful setting! Ill be back!

@DianeL8145983 · Camped on Sep 4, 2024 at Campsite #12

Great campground. Very clean!! Amazing views and trails. Definitely coming back

@DominiqueC74DF · Camped on Sep 3, 2024 at Campsite #20

I had a great time here, the campground and campsite were very well maintained and kept, and the bathrooms were very clean for what they are! It seems very popular with RV campers so be prepared for generator noise (which I heard) but luckily the forest we're in helps to dampen the noise.

@Dominique338F0 · Camped on Sep 3, 2024 at Campsite #20

@KatyA8C2E8B2AB · Camped on Aug 28, 2024 at Campsite #8

Nice clean campground.

@KarenL1374189 · Camped on Aug 22, 2024 at Campsite #17

We ended up changing from this site to site 34. Both were amazing and private, but 34 had more space and suited us better. Wonderful experience with friendly and helpful hosts, very clean restrooms, quiet, peaceful, and fantastic hiking - oh and the views from the lake! Book early but don't give up - we got in on cancellations!

@KarenL1374189 · Camped on Aug 21, 2024 at Campsite #14

We loved camping here! We were very surprised that our site did have trees and privacy after hearing from others that the Elk loop was bare from beetle kill. Lots of sites are bare, but this one is on the edge close to the Moose loop so plenty of trees. We did have to wait at the entrance gate until almost exactly our check in time at 2:00, but that was ok. Also, rec.gov had the check in and out times incorrect which was confusing, but the flexible and friendly campground hosts allowed us to finish our morning hike, giving us until noon to check out and into our second site (regular check out is 11:00). Something else surprising, the hosts said they often have same day availability due to cancellations and people who leave earlier than expected. Not sure I would take a chance and come up just for that, but it could extend your stay. So wonderful to walk to the trails and there are many to choose from from. The restrooms are super clean, although not as many and as closely spaced as usual, but it wasn't a problem. We were so happy to make reservations on cancellations as it is super hard to get a spot here. We will try again in the future! Such a gorgeous place.

@DavidS3927304 · Camped on Aug 18, 2024 at Campsite #25

Beautiful campground, close proximitry to Brainard Lake. Most sites are generously sized and relatively private. Camp tables are oversized. Generators are still sadly used by a number of larger RV vehicles, disturbing the pristine quiet of this location.

@ShelbyW4223D68 · Camped on Aug 18, 2024 at Campsite #3

They take care of their site. Camp host stayed aware of the grounds and made sure to keep it tidy, including the restroom that was washed down three times a day. The facilities were clean and felt very safe. Easy walk to trail heads and the lake. Not crowded, space between sites was a nice amount.

@ShelbyW4223D68 · Camped on Aug 18, 2024 at Campsite #3

@SusanI7041FE26 · Camped on Aug 14, 2024 at Campsite #26

Nice well maintained campsites, attentive hosts and absolutely beautiful surroundings with great trails to explore the amazing beauty.

@TimK7749908 · Camped on Aug 7, 2024 at Campsite #26

Very hard to get a reservation. maybe limit stays to a week or less (instead of two weeks) so more people have an opportunity to camp. Disappointed no walk-in sites anymore. (or at least I did not see any.) Fire ban was in place, making it less fun, and no refund or partial refund when fires are banned.

@DavidW7736336 · Camped on Aug 7, 2024 at Campsite #39

Great campground hosts; campsites and bathroom are kept exceptionally clean.Site 39 is one of my favorites, however I had to leave after a single night for a one night reservation who was a no show. Actually sites 39 and 35, some of the nicest sites in Pawnee were no shows. Walking around Pawnee there were a number of no shows. The Forest Service needs to address the problem with no shows at Pawnee and Elk as there's an entire community of families that have been camping at Brainard for generations that can no longer reserve campsites except for a spur of the moment single night. The Forest Service needs to decide if check out is noon or 11am, as although Recreation.gov and FS both state check out is noon, 11am is written as check out time on all the campsite posts once you arrive.

@DanJ3270464 · Camped on Aug 4, 2024 at Campsite #W6

A wonderful place to camp as usual! The new concessionaire company Vista has some great campground Hosts and staff.The only downside is the limit of one vehicle per campsite while for many years you were allowed to have two. It is an additional 8 dollars per night for an additional vehicle. When I made reservations initially there was no mention of the extra vehicle charge. It did show up later in the Reservation reminder email. I am certain many felt a little ripped off. Still a wonderful campground!

@JeanneAADD41BA · Camped on Jul 28, 2024 at Campsite #12

It is a disgrace that you must pay to park at Brainard Lake when you have secured and paid for a camping site at Pawnee. I was required to drop off my kayak, drive back to my campsite and then walk back to the lake. I could not even pay for a parking pass as I was unable to get an internet connection in the campground or nearby kiosks.

@KathyL1917379 · Camped on Jul 28, 2024 at Campsite #17

It was very sad to see so many campsites unoccupied and not released for others to reserve on rec.gov. (I saw at least 5 sites that were well beyond the check-in time.) There needs to be a process for camp hosts to release sites for others as soon as the time limit for check-in expires.

@KathyL1917379 · Camped on Jul 28, 2024 at Campsite #17

@PhillipB572326 · Camped on Jul 28, 2024 at Campsite #10

Clean site, gorgeous scenery. Nice hosts.

@DavidW7736336 · Camped on Jul 28, 2024 at Campsite #32

Site 32 is a beautiful, spacious site but I'm only giving 3 stars for the following reasons:-There were continuous groups of hikers coming through the campsite to and from Elk within a few feet of our tent, although the Forest Service had put considerable amount of work into blocking the access. A sign stating: "Trail is Closed", would be helpful. -I'm local and have been camping at Pawnee for well over 40 years and within the last few years with the current reservation system it is rare that I'm able to reserve a site, EVEN THOUGH ON ANY GIVEN NIGHT AS MANY AS 20% OF THE SITES ARE UNOCCUPIED. There should be a penalty greater than a $10 cancellation fee for no-shows such as not allowing parties that don't show up to reserve a another site for a year.-At several sites, campers would leave an RV or tent and not occupy the site for several days.-Although the reservation states a noon check out, the campground hosts would arbitrarily write "11am" checkout on the campsite signpost.Aside from these issues Brainard remains one of the most beautiful sites in the country.

@ElizabethH3073 · Camped on Jul 25, 2024 at Campsite #16

Great campground! Easy access to hiking trails. Nice camp hosts.

@RobertA1820332 · Camped on Jul 24, 2024 at Campsite #2

Had a nice stay. Bathrooms clean. Close to hiking.

@GioVEEC6527C00 · Camped on Jul 24, 2024 at Campsite #21

Nice place. Camp host was helpful.

@LesMB6FB048092 · Camped on Jul 16, 2024 at Campsite #27

Everything was great as usual! Our nearest restroom was closed :(

@KarenSB850B038 · Camped on Jul 11, 2024 at Campsite #W4

What a beautiful spot to camp! First time this year & I was not as prepared for the cold at night. It was down in the 50s, but a nice change from Denvers hi-90s.

@RogerP5522077 · Camped on Jul 7, 2024 at Campsite #14

Always a pleasure to be here. Nice to have cold nights during the summer.

See other campgrounds near Ward, CO with availability Tonight
See other campgrounds near Ward, CO with availability This Weekend

Other Campgrounds Nearby

We track all the sites so you don't have to.

13

Reservation Systems

Campsites Tracking

Available Tonight

Available this Weekend

Cancellations Today

PRO $2.50/month

You're in Control. We never save credit card information or auto-renew subscriptions.

Availability Map Search
3000+ Interactive Campground Maps
Campground Virtual Tours
Save Your Favorite Campsites
Favorite Campsites Availability
Campground Mobile Speed Test Maps
National Parks, Forests & Ranger District Layers
Wildfires & Air Quality Map Layer
Satellite View Map Layer
Campsite SMS Cancellation Alerts
Rent your Property & Cabins
Love's & Super Walmart Map Layers
Cracker Barrel & Bass Pro Shop Map Layers
Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) Layer
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Map Layer
RV Propane, Parking, Dump, Water Map Layer

Pro is FREE for 7 days. (No credit card information required!)

Thanks to all our Supporting Members

@BranJen - Santa Clara, CA

I wanted to thank you for this site and especially for the notifications feature. Thanks to your site and my subscription I was able to book a campsite I've been annoyingly trying to book for 5 years unsuccessfully. So thank you.

@Wondering - Oregon

Wow! Woke up this morning to a notification that a favorite had opened at Paulina, and when I went to check, it was there. This membership just paid for itself in the first 24 hours I owned it. Couldn't take the site it conflicted with a trip already set, but it truly was there. Thanks Tons.

@CarlaLThompson - Colorado

I just love this site and I tell everyone about it! It's so competitive to secure desired campsites and the alerts really help track when sites free up. The best part of this story is our alert notified a cancellation the next day!!!!!! Just incredible!!!