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    Brainard Lake Recreation Area

    4.5 (33 reviews)

    Brainard Lake Recreation Area Photos

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    Trail marker
    Kait S.

    I came here to go snowshoeing and it was a majestically beautiful experience. We did the snowshoe trail and it was fairly manageable rookie g hills in snow capped conifers. We went on a beautiful Saturday after a snow and so thought it might be busy, but only passed a couple people on the trail. We didn't go all the way to Brainard lake but did make it to the first lake. Stopped at the first lake and made some hot chocolate with our camp stove we carried in, and it was picturesque to say the least. Even the drive up was stupendously beautiful. I fully recommend a visit.

    Carly W.

    Brainard Lake Recreation Area is home to one of my favorite hike of all time - Lake Isabelle. Having made my way here twice now, I can easily say it will continue to be an annual pilgrimage for me. STAR #1: Lakes and waterfalls aplenty! Obviously, when you choose to hike Lake Isabelle, you know you're at least getting one lake. Well depending on when you hike you will also get to take in Brainard and Long Lake. There are plenty of ponds and streams along the way, and the waterfall out of Lake Isabelle is gorgeous. Past Lake Isabelle, there are some ponds and another waterfall flowing out of the meadow. STAR #2: Wildflowers! I'm a sucker for a colorful hike, and Lake Isabelle definitely has plenty of beautiful wildflowers to offer those who time their hike right. STAR #3: Wildlife! I've gotten to see the usual squirrels and marmots. Followed by an uber lucky moose and calf sighting. The moose and calf were seen in the meadow above and past Lake Isabelle. Definitely one of my favorite wildlife sighting to date. STAR #4: Just the right amount of challenge! Heading around Long's Lake up to Lake Isabelle is fairly simple and straight forward. You'll definitely get some great views. When you first arrive at the lake, I highly recommend heading to the left and taking in the waterfall flowing out of Lake Isabelle. If it's early enough in the season, it is truly gorgeous. Then head back to the main trail and proceed around the lake. Once past, there's a marshy area before you make your way up to a meadow. The meadow is where I saw the moose and calf. You can continue on to an additional turquoise glacial lake and up a rocky mountain (this gets very technical) to Isabelle Glacier. STAR #5: Because Lake Isabelle freaking deserves a fifth star. Everywhere you look is like something out of a book. I don't know if I've experienced a more magical hike. Oh, and the majority of the hikers I have met here are some of the nicest I've ever encountered. So there's that too! Lake Isabelle definitely has something special going on for almost any type of hiker. I will gladly be making my way back year after year. **Pro Tip: Make sure you get a reservation for Long Lake when available! It will shave some miles each way off your trip, which will come in handy if you choose to push on past the main lake towards the meadows or glacier above. They also drain Lake Isabelle at the end of July/early August, which greatly changes the experience.

    David G.

    Snowshoe review! ( hey that rhymes bustah) Fantastic place to take a winter adventure: Snowshoeing, hiking with micro spikes, or Nordic skiing . We got lucky as Brainard is renowned for high winds which we only encountered near the end. We are talking 50-75 mph winds. The loop trail we did starting at Sourdough, lunching at the lake and taking the snowshoe trail back down was a wonderful exhilarating outing 6.5 miles with 700 of elevation gain. Trails are well marked although I would still suggest using a gps device as snow could hide the trails easily Wonderful parking lot with restrooms. Dogs allowed on most trails. Tip: If you are going in a group they now want a permit for usage.

    Emily C.

    One of my absolute favorite spots, home to some of my favorite trails! So many great and scenic hiking options whether you are looking for something strenuous or mild. I make it out to Isabelle Glacier every July and the views cannot be beat -- streams, wildflowers, alpine lakes, marmots, and moose galore! Trailhead restrooms are always clean and the rangers here are awesome. Make sure you have a timed entry reservation to enter the Recreation Area (only $2 with a national park pass), or you will not be able to enter the park.

    Brainard lake
    Ariella W.

    Brainard is an absolutely stunning area of colorado and you can not go wrong here! not sure why anyone would rate less than a 5. Have been up here every winter for last 3-4 years for snowshoeing and sometimes come back up in the summer as well. There is a plethora of hikes to choose from in this area. It is wooded and feels secluded though in the summer it can get pretty busy especially on a weekend...... in winter, it is a beautiful winter wonderland. The trees are not full of beetle kill and the fires have not devastated this area. There are camping areas, though I have not been camping here i may in the future just because there are so many wonderful hikes surrounding this area Dogs are not supposed to be allowed in winter months... The parking lots can get crowded in the summer and early so if you are going then plan accordingly. Have never had any problems with coming in the winter time however.

    Hanging at Lake Isabelle
    Matt C.

    The popular campground in Ward is home to one of my new favorite trails, Isabelle Glacier. Write it on a post it, bookmark it, imbed it into your noggin right now. It's a fairly easy hike with a huge reward! When the hike begins at Brainard Lake you know you're in for a treat. There's an entry fee to park ($12 on 8/16/20). I parked passed Pawnee Campground near Brainard Lake. There are bathrooms, maps, etc. Isabelle Glacier Trail - Wildflowers? Boom. Wildlife? Boom. Majestic mountain views at a lake? Boom. Usually the aforementioned characteristics I look for in a hike come with high elevation gain, lengthy mileage and grueling conditions. Of all the hikes I've done to discover these, this was the easiest. The trail isn't too rocky or challenging in the slightest. Now, once you make it Lake Isabelle, take a breather, enjoy a snack, sit on your keister for a few minutes and soak it all in. But then, I urge you to press on! This is where the hike gets more technical. The road less travelled as they say, and boy is it worth it. You really feel like you're in the wilderness once you make your way around the lake. The Nederland area is home to some of my favorite hikes in Colorado. Isabelle Glacier is one of them! If you can't visit during the week, I encourage you to arrive prior to 8am on a weekend. The campground is a destination for many Denverites looking to escape the city. You don't want to be the car waiting in line to get in for hours. Seriously, it was extremely backed up when I left the park at noon. Happy hiking!

    Brainard Lake
    Stephen P.

    Very good place to snowshoe or ski in winter. You have to go a few miles to get to Brainard Lake itself where you can just drive in summer, but those trails are scenic romps through the forest. Even when the winter parking lot and Brainard Lake are so windy you think you might fly away, the (separate) ski and snowshoe trails are well protected in the trees. The main trails are fairly crowded, this isn't a place to experience nature in isolation. But decent amount of parking even on a nice winter weekend midday. Dogs are only allowed on a few trails, and those ones aren't the best, like the windblown road.

    Morgan F.

    The round trip hike to Lake Isabelle is about 8 miles, which features some switchbacks, some flat areas, and waterfalls/streams to cross. The Brainard Lake area always has amazing wildflowers, multiple lakes, waterfalls, and beautiful mountains. I recommend packing several water bottles, some small snacks, chapstick, a portable phone charger and bug spray.

    Be safe!
    Tigra C.

    Mercury was in retrograde and I'm pretty sure that I was losing my mind. I was in desperate need of nature to ground me. Brainard Lake was there to save me. It was only about a 20-30 minute drive from my hotel, and the GPS guided me nicely. I arrived at the park ranger's gate only to discover it was cash only for the entrance fee. I rarely carry cash and that day was no exception. I dreaded the additional 1-hour roundtrip, but as I turned around I noticed a parking lot a few feet away. I turned into the parking lot and discovered there were trails leading down to the lake. Yay! This was even better, as it gave me the time I needed to "be one" with nature and all of its glory. There may or may not have been some tree hugging. I embarked upon my journey via the Sourdough Trail. On the way to the lake, I encountered babbling brooks, raging streams (I totally kept thinking of A River Runs Through It, and prayed that Brad Pitt would appear. He didn't.), and a stunning open field that gave me ALL the Twilight: New Moon vibes (Laurent, Edward, and Jacob were all there.), which was fitting because I was going through a very New Moon Bella type thing. Anyway... The experience was beautiful. The clouds came out to play in true Colorado fashion, and it made the entire excursion quite perfect. It took nearly 2 hours for me to reach the lake. It was just beautiful. I sat in solitude and marveled at its wonder. It's a very photogenic location, even in the rain. The trek back seemed shorter...maybe 1 1/2 hours instead of 2. There is no internet service so be prepared to be without Snapchat, Instagram, etc. *gasps in Spanish!* I would not recommend that particular trail for those with mobility difficulties; it's rugged. I, however, thoroughly enjoyed it and emerged from the woods feeling fabulous.

    Lianna B.

    Beautiful trails with lots of nice look out points and a few lakes. They release tickets at 8am 2 weeks before so make sure you get online right for 8 as they sell out within minutes. We hiked to Isabella lake and it was so scenic yet not overly challenging because there is very little elevation. You also past another beautiful lake along the way called long lake. If you're wanting to cool off you can jump in but it is definitely in the chilly side. We even saw 3 moose which was a first for me and some deer. My partner and his friend did the climb to Navajo which was too challenging for me but I did climb some of the boulders just past Isabelle lake for fun.

    Cynthia V.

    A beautiful surprise! Was in the area staying in Estes Park visiting Rocky Mountain NP and wanted a new area to explore. We were able to make it in for the 12pm entry - thankfully the lira weren't full on a Friday! We aren't big hikers but we were able to enjoy a lovely picnic and several walks to the various lakes within the recreation area boundary. There are some seriously spectacular views here! Even with the looming smoke from nearby forest fires we were still able to enjoy the dramatic vistas. We weren't lucky enough to see any wildlife save a few gray jays at our picnic.

    View of Niwot Ridge from Red Rock Lake
    Sara M.

    It's been quite a few years since I have been up to Brainard Lake (Recreational Area.) I was close by on the south part of the SourDough Trail on snowshoes a few years ago, but on the other side of the ridge from this area. On a summer Saturday is probably not a great time to go unless you are there at or shortly after dawn. With houseguests with a 6 month old in tow, we did not get up there until around 9:30 am and that was too late to get into the close parking to therein lake itself. Closed at the ranger station and only letting a car in when a car left. Plan for this. The line was very long but locals and regulars know that there is a winter parking lot before the ranger station with many trails available from there. So some people, including our car, were turning out of the wait line and heading there. There was still room to park there, and there are rustic restrooms open in the summer. I guess they freeze in the winter. We had a nice hike on a trail to Red Rock Lake. That trail crosses the before mentioned SourDough Trail as it heads north. The hike to even get to Brained Lake itself is about a mile further down the road from winter parking and we thought it would be better on a nicer day with more time. And it was getting rather heavily traveled by then. A bi crowded to completely enjoy it. So after a 3 mile hike, we headed back to Nederland for lunch. If you have a National Park Season Pass, it will get you into Brained with no fee. Our pass has in the past but you don't even need one from the winter parking lot anyway.

    View from the bottom of the 'rock pile' of Mount Audubon
    Christopher B.

    This review is for Mt. Audubon, which is a 13er, which starts at the Beaver Creek trailhead. This hike is 4 miles each way but the elevation gain is nearly 3,000 feet. Two-thirds of this hike is above the tree line so make sure you have the appropriate gear to keep the sun from beating down on you. The views of this hike are pretty amazing. You see several glaciers and lakes along the way. Once at the top, you have a 360 degree of all the surrounding mountains and the lakes below. It's pretty spectacular. One thing to note is that once you're above the tree line it's pretty rocky. We didn't really notice it as much on the way up as the way back. The funny thing is that we were upon the 'rock pile' but until we went around it we didn't realize that it really was. The last 800 feet in elevation gain is really scrambling up boulders. It's fun but it eats up a lot of time. It took us 6.5 hours round trip, granted we also took our time. The only reason why this hike doesn't get 5 stars is because after you scramble back down the rock pile, you basically spent the majority of the hike back walking through medium sized rocks that are randomly dispersed so it's really tough to be careful not to sprain an ankle or trip. Nevertheless, that should not dissuade anyone from doing this hike. It's simply just a head's up that it's a bit more technical, therefore, a bit slower than a hike on a dirt trail. Overall, this was one of the best hikes I've done and I have many great photos to prove it! I recommend it but make sure to leave the trailhead early in the morning so you're not faced with a passing thunderstorm!

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    Ask the Community - Brainard Lake Recreation Area

    Any way to get to Brainard Lake Rec Area from Boulder or Nederland? Shuttles or other transit services?

    Not that I know of. Best bet in the area reachable by shuttle is the Hessie Trailhead.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Brainard Lake Recreation Area

    The lot was plenty empty at Long lake trailhead (the start to get to Lake Isabelle) when I arrived around 0730.

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    Trout Haven Fishing Pond - Ice fishing available!

    Trout Haven Fishing Pond

    4.5(33 reviews)
    32.1 km

    What a fun experience! Traveling from out of state, I wanted to have a little fishing on my trip…read morewithout having to bring any gear and not having to purchase a CO Fishing License. They have everything you need and it's so easy to just walk out and start fishing some stocked rainbows. The staff were super friendly and helpful. My gf and I visited on a very cold, windy February morning when they opened. It ended up just being the two of us on the ice and this was our first experience ice fishing (and it won't be our last). We had an amazing time and spent an hour exploring the different holes in the ice. The fish were hungry and I realized there was an absolute MONSTER rainbow in there. I was trying so hard to catch it. I hooked him up 3 different times and each time, it broke the line (I'm thinking the knots tied weren't legit fisherman's knots but whatever). I was obsessed trying to catch that massive fish but didn't come away with it. Still caught a personal best at 16'' while my bucket of fish and gear was blowing across the ice due to the wind. Everything is catch and keep, no releasing, so all fish will be brought back into the hut to be prepared. They'll clean the fish for you and if you aren't ready to take any fish filets with you, they'll happily donate them to people in need. Highly recommend visiting for beginners. Also recommend for experienced anglers who want a relaxed, fun environment. I WILL BE BACK TO CATCH THAT MONSTER.

    The staff is extremely kind and understanding with my sons. They went above and beyond to make the…read moreday fun, this was by far our favorite part of our trip!

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    Trout Haven Fishing Pond - Was hoping to catch a monster on this

    Was hoping to catch a monster on this

    Trout Haven Fishing Pond - Baby bow

    Baby bow

    Trout Haven Fishing Pond

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    Brainard Lake Recreation Area - hiking - Updated May 2026

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