Camping near Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland
Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland encompass a diverse range of camping areas across Colorado's Front Range. The region includes developed campgrounds like Pawnee Campground in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area and several dispersed camping options such as Allenspark Dispersed Camping and Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area. Campground options vary from established sites with amenities like Moraine Park Campground in Rocky Mountain National Park to primitive backcountry sites. Most established campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, while some areas like Glacier Basin Campground also offer glamping options. Many campgrounds in this high-elevation forest region provide access to spectacular hiking trails, alpine lakes, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Reservations are essential for most developed campgrounds in the area, particularly during the peak summer season from late May through September. Many sites in Rocky Mountain National Park require wilderness permits that can be secured through Recreation.gov. The high elevation of many camping areas means temperatures remain cool even during summer months, with afternoon thunderstorms common. Visitors should be prepared for significant temperature drops at night, even in warm months. Hard-sided bear canisters are required for food storage in many backcountry areas, especially in Rocky Mountain National Park. Some dispersed camping areas have rough access roads that may require high-clearance vehicles. A camper noted, "The road gets real bad right after. Even with AWD, I knew I couldn't make it. For the farther sites, you'd need a big 4x4 truck with sizeable wheels."
Campers frequently mention the exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the region, particularly moose sightings near Brainard Lake and the Indian Peaks Wilderness. The Moose loop at Pawnee Campground offers more tree cover and privacy than the more exposed Elk loop, which has lost trees to beetle kill. According to reviews, many campgrounds provide easy access to hiking trails and alpine lakes, making them ideal baseplaces for day hikes. One visitor highlighted, "Pawnee Campground is one of the best for those who like to get on the hiking trails early, but don't want to stress about the crowded parking lots!" Several reviews note that booking well in advance is crucial for securing sites at popular campgrounds like Pawnee, which can fill months ahead during peak season. Despite this, some campgrounds occasionally have same-day availability due to cancellations.
