Pawnee Campground is a basic, no frills campground with a fantastic location next to Brainard Lake. The most incredible lake hikes are within easy access of the campground. At nearly 11,000 feet the terrain is alpine, and wildlife is abundant with fish, birds, deer, moose. TIP: BOOK AHEAD. The campground fills up at 100% every day of the short season (End of June, Begin of July). Walk up is available, but you're lucky if you can get a site. 48 sites, 8 are walk up, 4 are host sites. Site 25 was awesome! Great for meteor shower viewing.

From their website:

Pawnee Campground is located in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area, off the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, 35 miles south of Estes Park and the main entrance to the Rocky Mountain National Park. Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing, canoeing and hiking opportunities.

Natural Features:

The campground lies at the foot of the Continental Divide, next to 25-acre Brainard Lake and the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area at an elevation of 10,350 feet. A scenic forest of spruce and fir trees covers the area. Summertime temperatures are warm in the day and cool at night. Afternoon thunderstorms are common.

Recreation:

Brainard Lake is a popular destination for canoeing, kayaking and fishing. Anglers cast for rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout. Long Lake, Red Rock Lake and Left Hand Reservoir are nearby. 

Several trails in the area provide access to the adjacent Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. Hiking is allowed on all trails; mountain biking is allowed outside the wilderness area. Rock climbing, snowshoeing and cross country skiing are often available, weather permitting.

Facilities:

The campground offers several single-family campsites, each equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided.

Nearby Attractions:

Ward is the closest town. NO cell service, NO WIFI. There is a payphone at the teeny general store. The town of Nederland is 14 miles south of the campground, offering grocery and hardware stores, restaurants, gas, a bank and a post office.

Rocky Mountain National Park's main entrance is 35 miles north in Estes Park. With lush valleys and craggy peaks reaching elevations higher than 14,000 feet, visitors are provided opportunities for countless breathtaking experiences and adventures. Scenic driving, hiking, backpacking, fishing, horseback riding and wildlife viewing are popular activities in the park.

Estes Park is a full-service community. Dining, shopping, rafting, fly-fishing, horseback riding and golfing opportunities are available there. Lake Estes offers boating, sailboarding and fishing.

Activities and Amenities

• Within FacilityCampfire Rings
• Canoeing
• Cross Country Skiing
• Drinking Water
• Firewood
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Host
• Kayaking
• Lake Access
• Mountain Biking
• Parking Area
• Picnic Area
• Rock Climbing
• Skiing
• Snowshoeing
• Tables
• Trailheads
• Vault Toilets