Burning Bear Campground
Currently closed for early season. Opens May 22, 2026. Full service season with water, trash, and a host runs Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. Extended season through late December may not have water, trash service, or a host available.
Air Quality Alert issued July 1 at 9:10AM MDT by NWS Denver CO
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued the following... WHAT...Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke. WHERE...Moffat, Routt, Jackson, Grand, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Eagle, Summit, Gilpin, Clear Creek, Mesa, Pitkin, Lake, Park, Delta, Gunnison, Chaffee, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel, Dolores, and northern parts of Montezuma and Saguache Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Craig, Steamboat Springs, Walden, Granby, Hot Sulphur Springs, Kremmling, Meeker, Rangely, Glenwood Springs, Eagle, Vail, Breckenridge, Central City, Georgetown, Grand Junction, Aspen, Leadville, Fairplay, Delta, Gunnison, Buena Vista, Salida, Montrose, Nucla, Ouray, Telluride, Dove Creek, and Saguache. WHEN...900 AM Wednesday July 01 to 900 AM Thursday July 02 IMPACTS...Areas downwind of large fires in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah could have periods of moderate to heavy smoke through at least Thursday morning. HEALTH INFORMATION...Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.
About
Burning Bear Campground is nestled in a beautiful valley along the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway at 9,813 feet elevation in Pike National Forest. The campground offers 13 sites including 12 standard nonelectric sites and one tent-only site, accommodating RVs up to 50 feet. A campground host is present during full service season. Ponderosa pines scattered throughout provide some privacy between sites. The location is ideal for accessing Mount Evans Wilderness directly behind the campground via the Abyss Trail (also called Scott Gomer Trail). Burning Bear Trail across the road is open to both hiking and mountain biking. Mount Bierstadt, a popular fourteener at 14,060 feet, lies about 7 miles north. The Guanella Pass Road is excellent for wildlife viewing, including bighorn sheep, elk, deer, moose, marmot, pika, and bear. Amenities include vault toilets, potable water from a hand pump, picnic tables, and fire rings at each site. There are no hookups, dump station, or showers. Maximum occupancy is 8 people, 2 tents, and 2 vehicles or 1 RV per site. Dogs must be leashed at all times. Expect rough road conditions with potholes and washboarding on the access road.
Directions
From Denver, travel US Highway 285 south toward Fairplay to the town of Grant. Turn north on Park County Route 62 toward Guanella Pass. Burning Bear Campground is 5 miles north on the right.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $28 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 50ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 50ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (303) 275-5610 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
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