Rainbow Lakes Campground
Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG — lakeside
Location: CO, CO
Price: From $22 per night
Price range: $22–$44 per night
Rating: 4 out of 5 (0 reviews)
Season: May through October
This campground is at the end of the Rainbow Lakes Road and adjacent to the Indian Peaks Wilderness. There are 18 first-come, first-served Scan & Pay campsites that accommodate tents (on 14x16 foot tent pads) and small trailers. Campsite 8 is oversized and accommodates up to 15 people.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Showers, Dump Station, Electric Hookups, Bear Boxes
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/rainbow-lakes-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Beautiful campground adjacent to Indian Peaks Wilderness with clean facilities and great hiking access. Google reviewers consistently praised the scenic location and well-maintained bathrooms and sites.
Wildlife alert: Moose, North American River Otter, Snowshoe Hare, Pacific Marten, Long-tailed Weasel, Boreal Owl, Common Merganser, and Canada Jay documented in area
Insider tips for Rainbow Lakes Campground: Arrive early on weekday mornings — campground is first-come, first-served with no reservations Campsite 8 is oversized and accommodates up to 15 people if you have a larger group Campsites 15-18 are walk-in tent sites; Campsites 1-14 have 14x16 foot tent pads and accommodate small trailers
Skip Rainbow Lakes Campground if: You need guaranteed reservations — all 18 sites are first-come, first-served only. You require hookups — no electric, water, or sewer hookups available. You visit outside May through October — campground operates seasonally.
Best time to visit Rainbow Lakes Campground: Weekdays May-October — Seasonal operations May through October; Google reviews recommend arriving on weekday mornings for better first-come, first-served site availability.
Nearby campgrounds: Kelly Dahl (Morrison, CO), Pawnee (Morrison, CO), Camp Dick (Morrison, CO), Peaceful Valley (Morrison, CO).
Cell Phone Coverage at Rainbow Lakes Campground
Cell signal at Rainbow Lakes Campground (CO): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
This campground is at the end of the Rainbow Lakes Road and adjacent to the Indian Peaks Wilderness. There are 18 first-come, first-served Scan & Pay campsites that accommodate tents (on 14x16 foot tent pads) and small trailers. Campsite 8 is oversized and accommodates up to 15 people.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryArrive early on weekday mornings
campground is first-come, first-served with no reservations
Campsite 8 is oversized and accommodates up to 15 people if you have a larger group
Campsites 15-18 are walk-in tent sites; Campsites 1-14 have 14x16 foot tent pads and accommodate small trailers
Seasonal operations May through October; Google reviews recommend arriving on weekday mornings for better first-come, first-served site availability
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
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.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Rainbow Lakes Campground cost per night?+
What season is Rainbow Lakes Campground open?+
Does Rainbow Lakes Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Rainbow Lakes Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Rainbow Lakes Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Rainbow Lakes Campground?+
What season is Rainbow Lakes Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
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