$23
Burning Bear
Closed for the season
Total sites: 13
Booking Window: 6 months
Season Opens: May 23, 2025
Booking Window: 6 months
Season Opens: May 23, 2025
9,666 ft
52°F
33°F
33°F
no signal
Pike and San Isabel National Forests › South Platte Ranger District › Colorado
› Jefferson County
› Morrison
› Burning Bear Campground
Burning Bear Campground, CO
Burning Bear Campground is located in the South Platte Ranger District, Pike and San Isabel National Forests (1 hr 8 min west of Lakewood, CO) with an elevation of 9,666 feet. There are a total of 13 campsites including 1 tent-only site. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the end of August. 12 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 24 and 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $23.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing.
Campsite Reviews (39)
4.5 out of 5
| 5 star | 56% | |
| 4 star | 33% | |
| 3 star | 5% | |
| 2 star | 0% | |
| 1 star | 3% |
@KaylinD2018C69 · Camped on Sep 23, 2024 at Campsite #3
Loved staying at this campsite! Beautiful location, easy to find, quiet and peaceful. Only downside was the hosts werent there and there was no firewood so we had to drive 15 minutes down the road to buy some, which ended up being fine. Bathrooms had one in ground toilet, no running water. Perfect location for our climb up Mt Bierstadt in the morning!
@BrianB7534319 · Camped on Sep 20, 2024 at Campsite #7
Really enjoyed our site and the campground hosts
@BrendaKBA35628 · Camped on Jul 23, 2024 at Campsite #5
While rain was frequent, and nights were in the 40's, this setting was gorgeous. I LOVE small campgrounds! Grab your wood in Bailey as no host onsite and not around often to get wood from (also it's cheaper than the $10/tiny bundle the Forest Service offers). Bathrooms were clean and stocked. I would love to return but not the easiest to get a reserved site.
@PaulT7740903 · Camped on Jun 30, 2024 at Campsite #5
Beautiful campground with stunning views of the mountains along Guanella Pass. Best sites are along the outer ring which back up to woods and the mountainside The sites in the middle offer very little privacy but do have good views. Pump water is unchlorinated and a little brown but safe to drink and tasted fine. Brown Bear 601 and Abyss Hiking trails are right next to the campground and both stunningly beautiful. Be warned - no cell service up here whatsoever
@WhitneyM590722 · Camped on May 31, 2024 at Campsite #8
Again... WHERE ARE THE HOSTS? This was our second camping weekend of 2024 and, ironically, we'd camped here this same weekend last year. We like the area and the small size of the campground and that there are hiking trails nearby. What happened this year? We camped elsewhere Memorial Day weekend and were shocked to see that there were no hosts. By this weekend, we were already on notice and, again, there is no campground host. Fortunately, this campground did have reservation markers on the campsites, so we were less concerned about others taking our site. (Which was a joke in itself as there were only 4 or 5 groups the entire time we were there despite "reservations" for almost all sites. Seriously people...). But again, I'm concerned about the lack of hosts this season. We drove through the Geneva Creek Campground up the road and, again, no host. I think we were the only ones that bought wood in town and were the only ones to have a campfire. We normally buy local wood from the host. We also noticed that the campfire rings hadn't been cleaned out in who knows how long. I guess I'm just surprised. Just the presence of a campground host keeps people on their best behavior. The campground was cleaner last year when there was a host on site. They also sell local wood so that we aren't transporting bugs or disease. If you are camping at Burning Bear, know that there is no cell service and the water that comes out of the pump is brown. As long as you know ahead of time to bring your own water and firewood, then you'll have a great time.
@LauraF3344985 · Camped on Aug 18, 2023 at Campsite #6
Small campground, very clean sites and lavs, beautiful area with many trailheads
@AllenL2764646 · Camped on Jul 2, 2023 at Campsite #6
The area was lovely, but our space was small, difficult to back in to and not at all level.
@JohnG7676070 · Camped on May 29, 2023 at Campsite #8
Nice campsite away from the entrance, but very little traffic no matter where you are in the campground. Shaded midday but nice sun later afternoon.
Charcoal (burned wood from campfire?) was scattered in the grass behind the campsite. Looked like it was just chucked there from the fire pit. Dog got really filthy in a hurry because of that.
Cell service: T-mobile non-existent. Van has a hotspot through AT&T which impressed me by working here. This is out in the sticks so I expected nothing. Grudgingly have to give AT&T props
for this.
Charcoal (burned wood from campfire?) was scattered in the grass behind the campsite. Looked like it was just chucked there from the fire pit. Dog got really filthy in a hurry because of that.
Cell service: T-mobile non-existent. Van has a hotspot through AT&T which impressed me by working here. This is out in the sticks so I expected nothing. Grudgingly have to give AT&T props
for this.
@KimberlyJ53701 · Camped on Aug 29, 2022 at Campsite #3
We chose this campground because there are several hiking trailheads within 1/4 mile of the campsites. The host was friendly, and the bathrooms were very clean. This campground is at the perfect elevation for good sleep when lower elevations are hot, very quiet surroundings, and a wonderfully dark sky after a great sunset view. We're planning to return next year.
@DanielI5746159 · Camped on Aug 16, 2022 at Campsite #6
Campground is wonderful. Site 6 provides excellent view across the meadow to the west, where we saw moose our first night. The camp host was great. Close to a lot of hiking trails. The individual sites are small. Most would not take a 20’ trailer and tow vehicle. The campground water has been tested, but is quite colorful, and we only used it to put out the camp fire. We plan to return next year.
@WilliamW688008 · Camped on Aug 11, 2022 at Campsite #3
This was a great campground. We were at site 3 which had a tent site that was not really level, but seemed like that was the case everywhere. It was a huge site, in the trees. Just keep your head elevated so you don't roll or wake up with a pounding headache which will happen if your feet are higher than your head. The water pump brought up rusty water which was fine for washing up; but bring water otherwise. We were told there was water somewhere in Bailey for 25 cents a gallon. Big open sky at night which would have been great for meteor shower watching if not for the blasted full moon. Just kidding, it, too, was beautiful. The bathrooms were clean and firewood was plentiful and everyone was very nice. A great experience all in all. Will be back!
@ParkerB5499084 · Camped on Jul 4, 2022 at Campsite #7
We had a great time at burning bear campground. We had a chuckle when the garbage truck came rolling through at 7 am tuesday morning. I guess even in the mountains the trash has to be picked up early. Quite place, restrooms were clean, beautiful views. heads up the camp sites nearest the mountain are on a little bit of a slope.
@JohnS6889697 · Camped on Jun 29, 2022 at Campsite #6
Very spacious campsites in a beautiful setting.
@AshlynF9616819 · Camped on Jun 18, 2022 at Campsite #8
Beautiful camp site!
@JuliaC9067873 · Camped on Aug 19, 2021 at Campsite #5
Well kept beautiful campsite.
@JuliaC624 · Camped on Aug 19, 2021 at Campsite #5
Well kept beautiful campsite.
@KathrynT923 · Camped on Aug 17, 2021 at Campsite #9
Small campground in a beautiful area. Our site was shady and pretty level. Close to ATV trails.
@KathrynT859174 · Camped on Aug 17, 2021 at Campsite #9
Small campground in a beautiful area. Our site was shady and pretty level. Close to ATV trails.
@GarrettS255589 · Camped on Aug 16, 2021 at Campsite #6
The campground was very beautiful, lots of trees and a great view of the mountains to the west. It is up against national forest, so accessibility is good. The camp host was attentive, and maintained the restrooms well. The only downside is the water situation. The campground is listed as having water, however the well pump gives very rusty well water. Bring a water filter.
@GarrettS600 · Camped on Aug 16, 2021 at Campsite #6
The campground was very beautiful, lots of trees and a great view of the mountains to the west. It is up against national forest, so accessibility is good. The camp host was attentive, and maintained the restrooms well. The only downside is the water situation. The campground is listed as having water, however the well pump gives very rusty well water. Bring a water filter.
@HannaT923 · Camped on Aug 13, 2021 at Campsite #4
Beautiful, quiet campground, camp host was so kind and helpful
@HannaT5467697 · Camped on Aug 13, 2021 at Campsite #4
Beautiful, quiet campground, camp host was so kind and helpful
@LauraB208 · Camped on Aug 9, 2021 at Campsite #6
Very quiet and tidy grounds. Outhouses clean. Camp host Jeff was available to answer questions and sell firewood. Bring your own water — the pump at camp churned out brown water.
The camp is about a 15 minute drive to Mt Bierstadt trail.
The camp is about a 15 minute drive to Mt Bierstadt trail.
@JasonB324 · Camped on Aug 8, 2021 at Campsite #8
Just a great NFS campground
@StephanieM806 · Camped on Jul 30, 2021 at Campsite #4
The campground was very easy to access from 285 and was a nice smaller loop. Due to the trees in each site some may be difficult to park campers in.
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