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Burning Bear Campground

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Reservations are available and recommended at Burning Bear Campground, a US Forest Service site in Pike National Forest that stays open year-round at $28 per night. The access road runs through Guanella Pass and carries a rough-road warning, so drivers should factor in conditions before arrival. Sites fill quickly during holiday weekends, with at least one reviewer arriving on Memorial Day to find the campground nearly empty by arriving early.

Most sites sit under tree cover, giving reasonable shade, though a handful of exposed sites get full sun. Each site includes a fire pit with a grate, a picnic table, and enough tree spacing to hang a hammock. Wildlife sightings, including deer, moose, and various birds, are reported regularly from within the campground itself. Cell service is unreliable along the pass, which reviewers either note as a drawback or a feature depending on their expectations.

Campers should confirm water availability before arrival. At least one reviewer found the well water non-potable, with a nearby waterfall offering a filterable alternative down the road. Vault toilets are on-site, and Windy H. notes the toilets were "kept clean and stocked" during a summer visit. Firewood is sometimes sold by vendors passing through, though supply is not guaranteed. Geneva Park Campground sits just over a mile northwest for campers who need a backup option or a larger facility.

Burning Bear works well for hikers targeting the Abyss Lake or Burning Bear trailheads, anglers fishing Geneva Creek, or those using the campground as a base for Mt. Bierstadt.

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Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect

There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!

Fire restrictions are currently in effect that prohibit all fires. Generators with an approved spark arrestor and fires or stoves that use liquid petroleum (LPG) fuels are permitted.

A bear or multiple bears have been spotted in the area. Please be aware at all times, and visit our agency website for bear safety tips and more information.

RV Road Trip Guides

Map & DirectionsBurning Bear Campground is located in Colorado near Grant

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Directions

Travel from Denver south on US Highway 285 toward Fairplay to the town of Grant. Turn north on Park County Road 62, towards Guanella Pass. Burning Bear Campground is 5 miles north on the right.

Address

19316 Goddard Ranch Court
Morrison, CO 80465

Coordinates

39.5139111 N
105.71 W

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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 7/27/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 7/27/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

Drive Time


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Reviews5 Camper Reviews - Burning Bear Campground

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4.5

out of 5

5 Reviews

Visitors often highlighted the scenic location with clean facilities and well-equipped sites near trailheads. Some concerns were noted about lack of on-site host presence and non-potable water requiring alternative sources.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Jul. 19, 2025

Second Year

I was a bit disappointed this year. Campers not picking up dog poo, no camp host staying on site, and cars and campers parked on road side. If I go back next year, I'll pick a more secluded site.

Site9
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jun. 19, 2024

Beautiful, Clean, Quiet

Spent 3 beautiful nights here. Got here on Memorial Day and the campground was almost empty. Clean restrooms and beautiful views, very accessible and close to the road, saw deer, moose, and lots of birds from my site

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Burning Bear Campground by Nikola S., June 19, 2024
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Reviewed Jun. 21, 2021

Great campground, no water!

Burning bear is a great, small campground. Sadly, the well water is non-potable, but there is a waterfall down the road where you can get water to filter. The location is great, especially if you want to hike Mt Bierstadt. They do take reservations, so snag one if you can.

Site11
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Burning Bear Campground by sulyn S., June 21, 2021
  • Review photo of Burning Bear Campground by sulyn S., June 21, 2021
Reviewed Sep. 27, 2020

The location is perfect.

Not so many locations so come around 2p latest. Legal fire pits in designated locations. Each site has a fire pit, trees for hammocks, parking spaces picnic table near the fire pit. Fire pit has a grate. Close to multiple trailheads and a the beautiful Geneva Creek.

  • Review photo of Burning Bear Campground by Marc F., September 27, 2020
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  • Review photo of Burning Bear Campground by Marc F., September 27, 2020
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Reviewed Jul. 2, 2020

Quiet Campground in Guanella Pass

Quiet and quaint campground in the heart of Guanella Pass with convenient access to the Abyss and Burning Bear trailheads. Vault toilets were kept clean and stocked. There was no camp host on site, but on one of the afternoons, someone came through and was selling firewood. Most of the sites are shaded, but but there’s about 3 that are exposed.

There is no cellular service for the whole pass, so it was an excellent opportunity to disconnect and be present in the moment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do reviews say about Burning Bear Campground?

Burning Bear Campground is generally praised as a quiet, quaint setting in the heart of Guanella Pass. Visitors appreciate its convenient access to multiple trailheads including Burning Bear and Abyss trails. The campground is described as small but beautiful, with clean facilities and stunning mountain views. Wildlife sightings including deer, moose, and birds are common. Some visitors note that the campground can have inconsistent camp host presence, and there have been occasional issues with maintenance and pet waste not being properly disposed of. The campground is popular but can be less crowded during weekdays or shoulder seasons.

What amenities and facilities are available at Burning Bear Campground?

Burning Bear Campground offers basic but functional amenities for a comfortable wilderness experience. Each site includes a fire pit with a cooking grate, a picnic table, and designated parking spaces. There are clean vault toilets throughout the campground that are regularly maintained. While the campground has a well, the water is non-potable, so visitors should bring their own drinking water or be prepared to filter water from nearby sources. Some sites have trees suitable for hammocks. Firewood may occasionally be available for purchase on-site, but it's best to bring your own or purchase it locally before arrival.

How close is Burning Bear Campground to Mt. Bierstadt hiking trails?

Burning Bear Campground is conveniently located for hikers planning to tackle Mt. Bierstadt. The campground serves as an excellent base camp for this popular 14er, making it possible to get an early start on the trail before the typical day-hiker crowds arrive. While not directly at the Mt. Bierstadt trailhead, the proximity makes for a short drive to begin your hike. The campground is situated along Guanella Pass, which provides access to the Mt. Bierstadt trails, allowing hikers to rest and recover at their campsite after completing the challenging climb.

Are there good photo opportunities at Burning Bear Campground?

Burning Bear Campground offers excellent photo opportunities with beautiful mountain views throughout the property. The campground's scenic location in Guanella Pass provides stunning backdrops for landscape photography. Wildlife photography is possible with deer, moose, and various bird species frequently spotted in and around the camping area. Nearby Geneva Creek and a waterfall down the road offer additional water feature photography options. The surrounding trails also provide access to alpine meadows and mountain vistas, especially during wildflower season. Both sunrise and sunset create dramatic lighting against the mountain landscape.