Is Lower Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Lower Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Are there showers at Lower Campground?

Yes, Lower Campground has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Can I have a campfire at Lower Campground?

Fire policies at Lower Campground: Light fires only within fire rings and charcoal grills; do not leave fires unattended and fully extinguish fires before leaving. Use approved or local firewood to prevent spread of pests.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Are dogs allowed at Lower Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Lower Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Lower Campground?

Lower Campground offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Electrical Hookups. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Lower Campground?

Popular activities at Lower Campground include Hiking, Swimming, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Lower Campground

3.00

8 reviews

Lower Campground

Summer Destination

Featured in:Spring Camping Minnesota

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

ElectricPull-ThroughShowers

Book on Minnesota Department of Natural Resources — State Parks Official Website

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

ElectricPull-ThroughShowers

Book on Minnesota Department of Natural Resources — State Parks Official Website

Lower Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Reservations are required for all campsites. A non-refundable reservation fee is charged for each advance reservation ($10 by phone, $8 online)....

No paid fee categories listed.

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Minnesota State Parks

Provider

888-646-6367, 651-296-6157

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Lower Campground

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Campground Map

Lower Campground

No map location available

Weather at Lower Campground

Best Time to Camp at Lower Campground

The campground operates seasonally, with specific opening and closing dates that vary—check ParkFinder for exact availability. Summer brings warm sunshine that can make the exposed prairie sections quite hot, so many visitors prefer the mild temperatures and vibrant colors of spring and fall. The seasonal changes are particularly dramatic here, from wildflower-dotted grasslands in spring to golden prairie hues in autumn.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer offers reliable weather, warm lake water, and park programs/events.

Planning Tips

About Lower Campground

Experience the unique beauty where rolling prairie grasslands meet shady oak forests at Lower Campground, your base camp for exploring Glacial Lakes State Park. After a day of adventure, gather around the campfire, join evening naturalist programs, or take a peaceful moonlit stroll through this diverse landscape. Reserve your campsite in advance through ParkFinder to secure your spot in this scenic prairie retreat.

The Lower Campground supports tent camping (specific tent sites recommended by visitors) and the park offers camper cabins (some with electricity) per supplemental sources.

Weather and SeasonsThe campground operates seasonally, with specific opening and closing dates that vary—check ParkFinder for exact availability. Summer brings warm sunshine that can make the exposed prairie sections quite hot, so many visitors prefer the mild temperatures and vibrant colors of spring and fall. The seasonal changes are particularly dramatic here, from wildflower-dotted grasslands in spring to golden prairie hues in autumn.

Natural Features and SceneryWatch the landscape transform as you explore where windswept prairie grasslands gradually give way to cool oak woodlands. The park's glacial heritage is written in its topography—ancient ice sheets carved out the dramatic prairie hills and formed nearby Mountain Lake, which borders the park. Hike the rolling terrain for sweeping views across the grasslands, but plan accordingly as shade can be sparse in the open prairie sections, making those pockets of oak forest especially welcome on sunny days.

Geological RegionGlacial lakes / glacially carved prairie and oak-forest landscape

Scenic ViewsLake views from lower-campground areas and panoramic vistas from prairie hill summits.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsOnline via Minnesota DNR reservations (Make a reservation) and by phone: 866-857-2757 (call center hours vary seasonally: Oct–Mar and Apr–Sep hours listed on site)

Cancellation PolicyA non-refundable reservation fee is charged for each advance reservation; additional cancellation/refund details not provided on the park page.

Best CampsitesReviewers recommend sites 6 and 7 for tent camping; inner-ring sites may feel cramped and outer-ring sites sit close to the campground road and can be noisier.

Need help booking Lower Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Minnesota State Parks Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Facilities include showers and restrooms (noted as older but functioning when open), vault toilets (with portapotties used during closures), potable drinking water (quality described as variable), site fire rings and picnic tables, and basic garbage receptacles. Camper cabins are present on-site (some with electrical service) according to supplemental sources.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Electric hookups30 of 62 sites (48%)

1 pull-through site

Activities you can enjoy

The campground provides access to hiking across prairie hills and oak forest, a small beach and wading/swimming area on Mountain Lake, paddling/kayaking, and wildlife/bird watching. Horseback riding is also noted as an available activity in the park area.

Hiking

Swimming

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsMosquitoes near the lake and common campground wildlife such as raccoons (secure food and gear). Limited shade on prairie hikes (sun exposure).

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Expect vault or pit toilets only.

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

3.0

8 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Lower Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitor sentiment is generally very positive, praising peaceful setting, well-maintained trails, lake views and a relaxing atmosphere. Common complaints mention cramped sites in the inner ring, dated restroom/shower facilities, raccoons at campsites, and occasional generator/noise issues.

Review Summaries

Based on 8 reviews

What Campers Love

Quiet, scenic prairie and lake views; easy access to trails and a small swimming beach; well-maintained campsites and friendly staff noted by visitors.

Based on 8 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Reserve early and pick outer tent sites (visitors recommend sites 6 or 7 for tent camping); raccoon-proof food and gear; expect mosquitos near the lake; check site shade if hiking in summer.

Based on 8 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Quiet at end of the season. Beautiful trails and easy to get to!"; "Very cramped. The inner ring sites are packed in and the outer ring is right on the campground road."; "Nice area... bathrooms and...

Based on 8 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Go if

Tent campers who grab sites 6 or 7 get the best of it: outer spots with more breathing room, lake views, and trail access to both prairie summits and the swimming beach.

Skip if

Inner-ring sites feel cramped, the shower facilities are dated, and raccoons will find any unsecured food, campers who need full hookups or a dump station will also come up short here.

Campgrounds

Glacial Lakes State Park

Lower Campground

About Pinewood Lake

Context for the broader area surrounding Lower Campground, 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.

Directions

Off county road 18E about 12 miles southwest of Loveland, CO.