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Rainbow Lakes Campground
FSU.S. Forest Service — Colorado · Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG |
| Location | Colorado · Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG · 40.00911, -105.56892 · Map |
| Sites | Not reported — the federal listing names no individual sites for this campground |
| Getting a site | First-come, first-served only — this campground takes no reservations. |
| Hookups | Not reported in the federal data |
| Max RV length | Not reported in the federal data |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-02-25.
From the official listing
This campground is open mid-June through mid-September and located at 10000 feet at the end of the Rainbow Lakes Road and adjacent to the Indian Peaks Wilderness . This road is closed for winter and typically reopens in June. Before traveling to this area, check the Road Status Table .
There are 18 first-come, first-served campsites that accommodate tents (on 14X16 foot tent pads) and small trailers. A maximum of eight people are allowed per site. Campsite 8 is oversized and accomodates up to 15 people. Campsites 15 - 18 are walk in sites for tents. Picnic tables, fire grates, vault toilets and trash services are provided at each campsite. 14-day stay limit. This campground does not feature drinking water, electricity, hook-ups, dump stations, nor showers. Please remember to bring water.
Rainbow Lakes Campground is normally full for the weekend by Friday morning so plan to arrive early. No reservations are accepted.
Click here for a map of this campground.
Directions, from the listing
From Nederland, head north on Colorado Highway 72 for approximately seven miles. Look for the University of Colorado Mountain Research Station sign and turn west onto National Forest System Road 298. This route is gated during the winter. This road is a five-mile, native-surfaced road. A high clearance vehicle is recommended.
Nearest federal campgrounds
6 mi straight-line · Morrison ColoradoFSU.S. Forest ServicePawnee
8 mi straight-line · Morrison ColoradoFSU.S. Forest ServiceCamp Dick
9 mi straight-line · Morrison ColoradoFSU.S. Forest ServicePeaceful Valley
9 mi straight-line · Morrison ColoradoFSU.S. Forest ServicePickle Gulch
12 mi straight-line · Morrison Colorado
Trip Card — Rainbow Lakes Campground
Colorado · Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | Colorado · Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | First-come only |
| Hookups | Not reported |
| Max RV | Not reported |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | Not reported |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/241183 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.