Rainbow Lakes Campground

Star4.70
130 reviews
Scenic Views

Quick Facts

10,000 ft

Price

$17/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

18 campsites

Season

Open mid-June throug...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

Opens U.S. Forest Service site

Official Website
Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Rainbow Lakes Campground
$17.00 - $17.00 / night
Campsite Fees
First-come, first-served campsites are available for $17 per night. Additional fees may apply for wood ($6 for firewood bundles) and water ($2 per...
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Standard Site Fee$17.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.70

Top-Rated

Based on 130 reviews

185 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanspaciouslocationhiking

"Rainbow Lakes Campground is highly popular and well-regarded among visitors, with an average sentiment rating of 4.625 for campgrounds. Campers praised the scenic location, clean facilities, and the friendly camp host, Tim."

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Campground Map

Rainbow Lakes Campground

40.0091, -105.5689

Driving directionsFrom 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.
Access is via a five-mile, native-surfaced road which is gated during winter and reopens in June. High clearance vehicles are recommended, as the road is rocky and contains potholes that can make driving challenging for sedans and low-clearance vehicles.
Nearby places
Nederland (7 miles, approximately 15-20 minutes drive)
Nearby supplies
Supplies available in Nederland, including groceries, camping essentials, and fuel.

Best Time to Camp at Rainbow Lakes Campground

Summer in this alpine paradise brings quintessentially perfect Colorado weather – warm, sun-drenched days that invite exploration and crisp, star-studded nights that call for campfire stories and cozy sleeping bags. The dry mountain climate creates ideal conditions for outdoor adventures, with visitors often remarking on the comfortable nighttime temperatures that make for restful sleep under the stars. While the campground welcomes guests from mid-June through mid-September, Mother Nature occasionally reminds visitors of the high country's wild spirit with surprise afternoon showers or early season snow flurries that dust the peaks in pristine white.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
5.0 / 5
Top 6% in CO

Open mid‑June to mid‑Sept; reviewers praise warm days, clear skies and peak season conditions.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.0 / 5

Possible brief early‑fall access but campground largely closes by mid‑September; limited seasonality.

Spring(Mar-May)
Not recommended

Opens mid‑June; spring season not applicable for campground access.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed during winter months.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: Mid-June through mid-September.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open mid-June through mid-September. Closed during winter months.

About Rainbow Lakes Campground

Perched at a breathtaking 10,000 feet where the sky meets the mountains, Rainbow Lakes Campground offers an intimate escape into Colorado's high country. This coveted gem features just 18 first-come, first-served sites, each thoughtfully equipped with tent pads, picnic tables, fire grates, and bear-proof lockers to ensure your wilderness experience is both authentic and secure. While you'll be trading modern conveniences like running water and electricity for pristine alpine air and star-filled nights, the campground maintains essential services including trash collection. Be warned: this mountain sanctuary's popularity means sites often claim their weekend occupants by Friday morning throughout the summer season, which runs from mid-June through mid-September.
Rainbow Lakes Campground caters primarily to tent and small trailer campers. It is a first-come, first-served campground with no reservations accepted.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
No official check-in time, but users mention a 1 PM checkout time for previous occupants.
Check-out
1PM
Stay Limit
14-day stay limit

Amenities available

Fire rings
Food storage lockers
Picnic tables
Firewood available
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Rainbow Lakes Campground offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, wildlife viewing, and exploring the nearby Indian Peaks Wilderness. The Rainbow Lakes trail, described as "easy and well-maintained," is a popular attraction for its scenic beauty. Campers have also reported enjoying stargazing, given the clear night skies at the high elevation.
HikingThe campground provides access to well-maintained trails, including the Rainbow Lakes trail and the Arapaho Glacier Trail. These trails offer stunning views and opportunities to explore the wilderness. "Amazing hiking with an even better view at the end," remarked one visitor.
Wildlife viewingCampers have reported sightings of moose and other wildlife. "We saw a mama moose by the front gate," noted one visitor.
Winter Activities
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsRocky and pothole-filled access road poses challenges. Bears are present in the area and require proper food storage. "A bear broke into our car and ate all our food."
Active Alertsroad is closed for winter and typically reopens in June.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.
No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.
Food Storage RequiredBear-proof lockers provided at each site to enhance safety.

Weather at Rainbow Lakes Campground

Reviews

4.7
130 reviews
Top-Rated
Top-Rated
Rainbow Lakes Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
Rainbow Lakes Campground is highly popular and well-regarded among visitors, with an average sentiment rating of 4.625 for campgrounds. Campers praised the scenic location, clean facilities, and the friendly camp host, Tim.
Review Summaries
Based on 130 reviews

What Campers Love

- Scenic location at 10,000 feet elevation. - Well-maintained and clean facilities, including vault toilets. - Friendly and helpful camp host, Tim. - Proximity to hiking trails and the Indian Peaks...
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Based on 130 reviews

Common Concerns

- Rough and challenging 5-mile dirt road to access the campground. - Lack of potable water on-site. - Vault toilets may emit odors.
Based on 130 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

- Bring your own water and a high-clearance vehicle. - Arrive early, as the campground fills up quickly, especially on weekends. - Use the bear-proof lockers provided at each site. - Consider...
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Based on 130 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is only open during the summer months (mid-June to mid-September). Visitors appreciate the pleasant weather and clear skies, but note that weekends are particularly crowded.
Based on 130 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. "Tim the camp manager is without question the nicest camp manager I have ever encountered." 2. "The road isn't that bad, but lower cars should exercise some caution." 3. "Bathrooms are cleaned...
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Based on 130 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

- Campsite 8 is ideal for larger groups, accommodating up to 15 people. - Campsites 15-18 are walk-in sites offering added privacy.
Based on 130 reviews

Accessibility Features

The walk-in sites provide a level of accessibility for tent campers, but the rough access road may deter visitors with low-clearance vehicles.
Based on 130 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Reviews do not provide specific details about pet policies or pet-friendly features.
Based on 130 reviews

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Last updated January 5, 2026
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