Burning Bear Campground

Area Status: Open

Burning Bear Campground is off of Guanella Pass Road, north of the town of Grant. The Guanella Pass Road (Park County Rote 62) is a Scenic and Historic Byway and is one of the most popular scenic drives on the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands. This campground is nestled in a valley with beautiful views. Host is available on site. There is no dump station or hook-up available.

All dates are weather dependent. Full service season is Memorial day to Labor Day weekend. The area also has an extended season when services such as water, trash or a host may not be available during the fall.

At a Glance

Operational Hours:

Check in: 2 p.m.
Check out: 12 p.m. (noon)
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Reservations: Phone 877-444-6777 or visit Recreation.gov at least 4 days in advance. Friday and Saturday night minimum required stay on weekends. Three nights minimum on holiday weekends. Walk-ups are exempt from the nightly minimum.
Area Amenities:
  • Camping trailer: 1 recreational vehicle up to 30' allowed per campsite
  • Picnic tables: Picnic tables and fire rings/grates available.
  • Tent camping: 2 tents/ 8 people max per campsite
  • Parking: Parking for 2 vehicles per site.
  • Toilets: Vault toilets
  • Fee charged for some activities: Overnight or day use fees apply
  • Accessible: Universally accessible picnic tables and vault toilets are available.
  • Drinking water: Hand pump
Fees:
$28.00 fee per site for overnight camping. Two (2) vehicles  or one (1) RV per site is included in the camping fee. $11.00 for a third vehicle. $11.00 fee for day use if not camping overnight.
 
Fees are payable by cash, check or money order.
Open Season: Early May - Late December
Usage: Medium-Heavy
Best Season: Summer and Fall
Busiest Season: Summer
Restrictions: The following restrictions apply to this campground:
  • Maximum 8 persons per site, 2 tents and 2 vehicles or 1 recreation vehicle (RV).
  • Only licensed vehicles can operate inside campground.
  • No discharge of firearms or fireworks.
  • Dogs must be leashed at all times.
  • Camping is NOT ALLOWED behind a LOCKED GATE.
Closest Towns:

Grant is 5 miles south of the campground along Highway 285.

Denver/Morrison is approximately a 1.5 hour drive east of the campground via US Highway 285.

Water: Hand pump
Restroom: Vault toilets
Passes: The Interagency Senior Pass and the Interagency Access Pass qualifies for a 50% discount at concessionaire run campsites. The discount only applies to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass owner, not to any additional campsite(s) occupied by members of the pass owner's party.
Operated By: ExplorUs
Information Center: During peak season, the campground offers full service. Pre- and extended seasons have reduced services such as vault toilets, water, trash, or a host may not be available.

Appears on the following maps:
  • USGS Quad Mt. Evans
  • Pike National Forest
  • National Geographic Trails Illustrated #104 (Idaho Springs / Georgetown/ Loveland Pass)
Contact the South Platte Ranger District at 303.275.5610 for more information.

General Information

Directions:

From Denver, travel US Highway 285 south toward Fairplay to the town of Grant. Turn north on Park County Route 62 going towards Guanella Pass. Burning Bear Campground is 5 miles north on the right.


Parking:

Parking is available for either 2 vehicles or 1 recreational vehicle per campsite. Additional parking is available apart from the campsite.

Two vehicles per site are included in the camping fee. $11.00 for a third vehicle.


Accessibility:

Universally accessible picnic tables and vault toilet are available.


General Notes:

Burning Bear campground is nestled in a beautiful valley on the way to Guanella Pass. Mount Evans Wilderness is directly behind the campground. Burning Bear trail is across the road from the campground and offers some spectacular scenery along the trail.

The Guanella Pass road is only plowed for the first 5 miles from Grant. Although this includes the road up to Burning Bear campground, the area is subject to heavy snow drifts.

Recreational Vehicle (RV) and tent camping is available.

Corrals just outside the campground ARE NOT FOR PUBLIC USE.


Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Campground Camping

Burning Bear Campground has 14 campsites to accommodate both tent and recreational vehicle camping.

Maximum number of people per campsite is 8. There is a 14-day stay limit. Vehicles must be parked in established site. No vehicle parking behind barriers.

Please be careful with your campfire. In the campgrounds, fires must be in the ring/grate provided.

Hours of Operation: Check in: 2 pm
Check out: 12 pm (noon)
Quiet hours: 10 pm to 6 am
Rental info: Campers may stay a maximum of 14 consecutive days.

RV Camping

Burning Bear Campground can accommodate recreational vehicles up to 30’ in length. No electricity or hooks ups available. Water is from a hand pump. No water available after Labor Day weekend.

Picnicking

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Location

 
  Latitude : 
39.51316992

  Longitude : 
-105.7125889

  Elevation : 
9,633'