Campground · Colorado ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Roosevelt National Forest (NF) · Open Access
This campground is open mid-June through mid-September and located at 10000 feet at the end of the Rainbow Lakes Road and adjacent to the Indian Peaks Wilderness. This road is closed for winter and typically reopens in June. Before traveling to this area, check the Road Status Table.
There are 18 first-come, first-served campsites that accommodate tents (on 14X16 foot tent pads) and small trailers. A maximum of eight people are allowed per site. Campsite 8 is oversized and accomodates up to 15 people. Campsites 15 - 18 are walk in sites for tents. Picnic tables, fire grates, vault toilets and trash services are provided at each campsite. 14-day stay limit. This campground does not feature drinking water, electricity, hook-ups, dump stations, nor showers. Please remember to bring water.
Rainbow Lakes Campground is normally full for the weekend by Friday morning so plan to arrive early. No reservations are accepted.
Click here for a map of this campground.
From 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.
40.00911, -105.56892 · 40°0'32.8"N 105°34'8.1"W
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 3.5 | 3.4 | 3.9 | 5.0 | 3.9 | 1.8 | 2.5 | 2.2 | 2.2 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 3.2 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 1.6 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Rainbow Lakes Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Rainbow Lakes Campground's operator.
Restrictions:
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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