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Brainard Lake Recreation Area
Brainard Lake Recreation Area is set in a glacially carved valley offering visitors spectacular panoramic views of Brainard Lake, surrounding subalpine forest, and high peaks along the Continental Divide. Because of the area's high elevation, snow typically remains until July. For road updates, check Boulder Ranger District Road Status.
CAUTION: Several trailheads, such as Long Lake and Mitchell Lake trailheads, lead west into Indian Peaks Wilderness. Visitors entering the Wilderness are responsible for following all Indian Peaks Wilderness regulations and permit requirements. Dogs must be on a leash in the Wilderness.
Requirements – A parking reservation is required to park inside Brainard Lake Recreation Area. Visit Brainard Lake Recreation Area Seasonal Information to purchase parking reservations and view seasonal regulations for camping, pets, shooting, skiing, and more.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | To reduce crowding, the Forest has a parking reservation system for Brainard Lake Recreation Area. |
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| Operational Hours: |
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| Fees: | A parking reservation is required to park in Brainard Lake Recreation Area. There is no fee to park at the Gateway Trailhead and enter Brainard Lake Recreation Area by foot/bike. Please see recreation.gov for all fees and additional information. Visitors with an agency pass receive a discount on parking reservations during checkout at recreation.gov, but they still must purchase a reservation. |
| Usage: | Heavy |
| Restrictions: |
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| Closest Towns: | Ward, Colorado |
| Water: | Not yet available |
| Restroom: | Vault toilets |
| Operated By: | Concessionaire: American Land & Leisure |
| Information Center: | Visitor Information: 970-295-6600; Contact Us |
General Information
Directions:From Colorado Highway 72 at Ward, turn west onto the Brainard Lake Road. Travel 2.5 miles to the Brainard Gateway Trailhead, and continue another two miles to Brainard Lake. The entrance station is open seasonally.
Activities
Mountain Biking
Recreation areas with activity Mountain Biking:*Bike racks are located at the main Brainard parking lot and the Mitchell Lake Trailhead parking lot.*
Mountain biking is allowed on certain trails within and adjacent to Brainard Lake Recreation Area. Bikes are permitted on the CMC, Waldrop, South Saint Vrain and Sourdough Trails, Left Hand Park Reservoir Road and all paved roads. Trails leading west from Brainard Lake Recreation Area enter the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area, where all mechanized recreation is prohibited.
| Difficulty Level: | Easy to Intermediate |
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Road Cycling
Recreation areas with activity Road Cycling:*Bike racks are located at the main Brainard Lake parking lot and the Mitchell Lake Trailhead parking lot.*
Brainard Lake Recreation Area is a good side-trip for road cyclists. It is approximately five miles west from Colorado Highway 72 at Ward to reach Brainard Lake. A scenic overlook at the east end of Brainard Lake offers a spectacular view of the lake, surrounding forest and peaks of the Continental Divide. Restrooms, drinking water and trash services are provided at Brainard Lake Recreation Area.
| Difficulty Level: | Easy to Intermediate |
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Campground Camping
Recreation areas with activity Campground Camping:Pawnee Campground provides camping opportunities at Brainard Lake Recreation Area.
Lake and Pond Fishing
Recreation areas with activity Lake and Pond Fishing:- Brainard Lake Fishing Site
- Long Lake Trailhead
- Pawnee Pass (#907)
- Mitchell Creek Picnic Area
- Mitchell Lake (#912)
- Niwot Picnic Area
- Pawnee Picnic Area
- Red Rock Lake Fishing Site
River and Stream Fishing
Recreation areas with activity River and Stream Fishing:Day Hiking
Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:- Beaver Creek Trailhead
- Beaver Creek (#911)
- Brainard Gateway Trailhead
- Little Raven (#802)
- Waldrop (#814)
- Long Lake Trailhead
- Isabelle Glacier (#908)
- Jean Lunning (#907)
- Pawnee Pass (#907)
- Mitchell Lake Trailhead
- Mitchell Lake (#912)
- Mount Audubon (#913)
- Red Rock Trailhead
- CMC (#814.2)
Backpacking
Recreation areas with activity Backpacking:Viewing Scenery
Recreation areas with activity Viewing Scenery:Picnicking
Recreation areas with activity Picnicking:- Arickaree Picnic Area
- Brainard Lake Fishing Site
- Mitchell Creek Picnic Area
- Niwot Picnic Area
- Pawnee Picnic Area
| No. of Sites | 30 |
| Reservation Info | None |
| Fire Information | Unless seasonal restrictions are in effect, campfires must be attended at all times and cold to the touch with the bare hand before being abandoned. Collection of dead and down wood is allowed; do not break branches from standing trees for firewood. |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
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Boating - Non-Motorized
Recreation areas with activity Boating - Non-Motorized:XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
Recreation areas with activity XC Skiing/Snowshoeing:- Little Raven (#802)
- Waldrop (#814)
- Isabelle Glacier (#908)
- Jean Lunning (#907)
- CMC (#814.2)
- Wapiti Winter
Brainard Lake Recreation Area is among the premier destinations for non-motorized winter recreation along the Front Range. The Brainard Gateway Trailhead is located 2.5 miles west of Colorado Highway 72, at the seasonal closure gate on Brainard Lake Road. From here, the Waldrop Trail, Sourdough Trail, South Saint Vrain Trail and Left Hand Park Reservoir Road are accessible to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The Snowshoe trail is not restricted to snowshoers only, however it is not well-designed for skiing. The CMC Trail and Little Raven Trail are restricted to skiers only. Dogs are prohibited on all single track trails in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area except for Sourdough Trail from November 15 - April 30.
| Warming Shelters | none |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy to Difficult |
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