Rainbow Lakes Campground
Currently closed for the season. Rainbow Lakes Road is anticipated to open June 1, 2026. The campground operates June 12 through September 13, 2026. No reservations accepted; all sites are first-come, first-served.
Fire Weather Watch issued June 30 at 3:08PM MDT until July 1 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Denver CO
...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS EXPECTED FOR THE HIGH COUNTRY TODAY...POTENTIALLY CONTINUING THROUGH FRIDAY... A warm and dry airmass will coincide with gusty west and southwest winds today. Sustained winds are expected to be 15 to 25 mph across much of the high country with gusts up to 40 mph, strongest for exposed areas and higher elevations. These conditions will drive very high fire danger across the warned area. Any new starts or established fires will likely spread rapidly under these conditions. ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE I-70 MOUNTAINS, SOUTH PARK, AND THE SOUTHERN FRONT RANGE FOOTHILLS... * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 212, 214 and 216. * TIMING...For the Red Flag Warning, until 9 PM MDT this evening. For the Fire Weather Watch, from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening. * WINDS...Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8 percent. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire.
Red Flag Warning issued June 30 at 3:08PM MDT until June 30 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Denver CO
...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS EXPECTED FOR THE HIGH COUNTRY TODAY...POTENTIALLY CONTINUING THROUGH FRIDAY... A warm and dry airmass will coincide with gusty west and southwest winds today. Sustained winds are expected to be 15 to 25 mph across much of the high country with gusts up to 40 mph, strongest for exposed areas and higher elevations. These conditions will drive very high fire danger across the warned area. Any new starts or established fires will likely spread rapidly under these conditions. ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE I-70 MOUNTAINS, SOUTH PARK, AND THE SOUTHERN FRONT RANGE FOOTHILLS... * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 212, 214 and 216. * TIMING...For the Red Flag Warning, until 9 PM MDT this evening. For the Fire Weather Watch, from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening. * WINDS...Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8 percent. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire.
Air Quality Alert issued June 30 at 9:10AM MDT by NWS Denver CO
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued the following... WHAT...Action Day Alert for Multiple Pollutants. WHERE...Douglas, Jefferson, Denver, western Arapahoe, western Adams, Broomfield, Boulder, Larimer, and Weld Counties WHEN...400 PM Monday June 29 to 400 PM Tuesday June 30 IMPACTS...Ozone Action Day Alert is now in effect for the Front Range Urban Corridor. Hot, sunny, and occasionally smoky weather conditions will result in ozone concentrations occasionally reaching the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category on Monday and Tuesday. Particle pollution levels could also reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category, or worse, due to the wildfire smoke. For Colorado air quality conditions, forecasts, and advisories, visit: https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colorado_summary.aspx If possible, please help us reduce ozone pollution by limiting driving gas and diesel-powered vehicles until at least 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, 2026. Colorado is also addressing ozone pollution through state policies. For more information about health impacts and how ozone pollution forms in Colorado, visit: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/ozone- pollution-and-your-health HEALTH INFORMATION...People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. During periods of heavier wildfire smoke, everyone should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
About
Rainbow Lakes Campground is a rustic high-elevation campground at 10,000 feet in the Boulder Ranger District of Roosevelt National Forest. Located at the end of Rainbow Lakes Road and adjacent to Indian Peaks Wilderness, it provides excellent access to alpine terrain and the Rainbow Lakes Trail system. The campground has 18 first-come, first-served sites. Fourteen sites feature 14x16 foot tent pads with bear lockers and can accommodate tents or small trailers. Sites 15-18 are walk-in tent-only sites. Site 8 is oversized and accommodates groups up to 15 people. Standard sites have an 8-person maximum. Each site has a picnic table and fire grate. Vault toilets and trash service are provided. This is a primitive campground with no potable water, electricity, hookups, dump station, or showers. Campers must bring their own water. Access requires a 5-mile drive on native-surface Forest Road 298; high clearance vehicles are recommended. The campground typically fills by Friday morning on weekends during the season, so arrive early. There is a 14-day stay limit.
Directions
From Nederland, head north on Colorado Highway 72 for approximately 7 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 winter. The road is a 5-mile native-surfaced road; high clearance vehicle recommended.
Location
Amenities
| Water | No |
| 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 | $22 - $44 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (970) 295-6600 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Photos
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!