Fishing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and hiking trails give campers plenty of reasons to spend more than a single night at Indian Paintbrush Campground inside Bear Creek Lake Park, a city-managed park in Littleton operated by the City of Lakewood. The campground sits roughly two miles from the park entrance, at the back of the property, and the route in involves winding roads with regular bike traffic. Sites are electric-only, mostly level, and close together, with limited natural shade and no tree cover between neighbors. Campers who come expecting a wild-feeling setting will find something more urban in character, though views open toward the foothills and Red Rocks Amphitheatre is visible from parts of the park.
The lake at the center of the park draws the most activity. Paddle boards, kayaks, and paddle boats are available to rent at a gravel swim beach, and the reservoir also provides fishing access. Reviewers note that the lake area gets crowded quickly, and arriving early is the practical move for anyone hoping to get on the water without competing for space. Trails run through the park for hiking and biking directly from the campsite area. One reviewer notes the park includes "tons of trails and a lake to explore," which holds up given the range of on-site recreation.
Facilities are well-maintained. Jason F. notes that "pit toilets and flush bathrooms were clean and well maintained," and coin-operated hot showers ($2 for 10 minutes) are available at the central bathhouse. A water spigot serves the sites, though RVers filling tanks should bring a short hose and a water bandit, since the faucet is not threaded for direct connection. A dump station and camp store round out the amenities. No pets are allowed.
Indian Paintbrush operates April 1 through October 31, and reservations are strongly recommended, especially during summer weekends when availability disappears fast. The park entrance closes at 9:30 p.m., though a back gate off I-470 provides late access to the campground. The location makes it a practical base for attending shows at Red Rocks, with the amphitheatre roughly 10 minutes away. Campers interested in camping near Bear Creek Lake Park can find additional options in the surrounding area, including Bear Creek Lake Campground nearby. This campground works best for RV travelers and anyone using it as a launch point for the greater Morrison and Denver foothills corridor.
Description
This recreation area is part of Bear Creek Lake
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Air Quality at this campground may currently be unhealthy for sensitive groups.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsIndian Paintbrush Campground is located in Colorado near Morrison
Coordinates
39.649438 N
105.147149 W
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent Coverage
- Verizon5GGood CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 8/3/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 1 user
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent Coverage
- Verizon5GGood CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 8/3/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 1 user
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Cabins
- Tent Cabin
- Yurts
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 25 min from Denver, CO
- 34 min from Boulder, CO
- 1 hr 1 min from Colorado Springs, CO
- 1 hr 7 min from Greeley, CO
















































