4.2382 reviewsSelect a month, then check for open campsites
Price
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Sites
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Season
Year-round
Cell
No Service
Pets
No Pets
Select a month, then check for open campsites
Price
Varies
Booking
Reservable
Sites
Varies
Season
Year-round
Cell
No Service
Pets
No Pets
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Learn more about alerts →Backpackers who want a named destination worth the haul: Kettle Lake comes up by name in reviews for a reason. Summer and fall score equally well here, trails through quartzite hill country are well-maintained, and canoe rentals mean you're not just hiking in and sitting.
No pets allowed, full stop. Also, summer flies are genuinely persistent, not just a footnote, so pack repellent and a fly swatter or weekday timing matters a lot. Anyone expecting a sand beach will be disappointed by what the swim area actually delivers.
Context for the broader area surrounding Backpack Campsites, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.
Pinewood Lake is located about 12 miles southwest of Loveland, Colorado. The Lake and Dam are a small part of the <A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Project.jsp?proj_Name=Colorado-Big+Thompson+Project">Colorado-Big Thompson Project</a>, one of the largest and most complex ever constructed by Reclamation. The reservoir has approximately 97 water surface acres, 142 land acres and 3 miles of shoreline. It stores, regulates, and diverts water from the Colorado River on the western slope of the Continental Divide to the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains.Developments at the Lake include 3 campgrounds with 18 campsites and 1 boat-launch ramp. Access is good. Only no-wake power boating is allowed. Primary recreational activities include fishing, camping, and boating. Primary sport fish available are rainbow trout. Facilities and campgrounds are closed in winter due to ice and snow.
Off county road 18E about 12 miles southwest of Loveland, CO.
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Summer brings the warmest and most reliable conditions for backcountry camping, with daytime highs between 70–85°F and cool nights dipping into the 50s. Lakes warm enough for swimming, and trails stay fully accessible through prairie and woodland. Flies can be persistent at campsites during summer months. Multiple campers mention bringing fly swatters. Weekdays stay quieter than weekends or holiday weeks, when trailheads and overlooks see moderate traffic. Check the park's current backpack camping dates before you plan; availability varies by season.
Fall likely excellent for vistas and fewer bugs; trails remain a highlight in reviews.
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Park-level amenities noted by visitors include electric campsites, a showerhouse/restroom building, potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, and a dump station. Canoe/kayak/paddleboard rentals are available at the park.
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