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Grand Lake

On a blue-sky, summer's day with white clouds, people walk down a historical boardwalk in Grand Lake. Yellow flowers grow in abundance on the left side of the image.

Rocky Mountain National Park’s western gateway, Grand Lake, is one of the state’s favorite playgrounds. Surrounded by national forests, trail systems and Colorado’s largest natural lake, the small town boasts many restaurants, shops and activities along its historic wooden boardwalks. All businesses — including lodgings, restaurants and shops — are locally owned and operated, adding to the town’s charms.

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A red snowmobile sits on the frozen Grand Lake. In the background there are people walking around. In the distance a mountain rises to meet a blue sky with white clouds.
Snowmobiling on Grand Lake
People holding hockey sticks practice their shots during the Pond Hockey Classic. There's a blue sky and mountains in the distance.
Pond Hockey Classic
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A dirt path with green grass and wildflowers sits between burnt trees with no leafs on a blue-sky day. There's a mountain in the distance in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Green Mountain Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park near Grand Lake
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On a blue-sky, summer's day with white clouds, people walk down a historical boardwalk in Grand Lake. Yellow flowers grow in abundance on the left side of the image.
Historical boardwalks of Grand Avenue
On the corner of Grand Avenue, a two-story wooden building with a green roof sits with people mingling outside. There's a blue-sky with mountains in the background.
Shops on Grand Avenue
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A metal, arched road bridge with a bright-blue sky sits on an early fall day. There are evergreen trees and trees beginning to turn golden.
Rainbow Bridge on the Continental Divide Trail
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An aerial view of a wooden boat on Grand Lake's dark waters. A dock sits in the upper right corner.
Boating on Grand Lake
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Fireworks during Buffalo Days in Grand Lakes, Colorado with two people wearing cowboy hats looking up at the sky.
Fireworks during Buffalo Days
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A man in a blue kayak near Grand Lake looks away from a bull moose that stands in the water near the green-grass shoreline.
Kayaking near Grand Lake
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Road curving past a sign that says Grand Lake and lists an elevation of 8,369 feet with evergreens and mountains in the background.
View of Grand Lake as you leave Rocky Mountain National Park
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Things To Do in Grand Lake

Grand Lake is the perfect place for your next adventure. Make it your home base for exploring Rocky Mountain National Park via Trail Ridge Road, which crosses the Continental Divide on its way to Estes Park. Enjoy endless hiking trails and try your hand at watersports like kayaking, paddleboarding and boating throughout the summer season. And fish the many streams, rivers and lakes all year long. As you adventure, keep an eye out for wildlife like elk and moose.

Grand Lake sits at the base of Rocky Mountain National Park with the historical town on its shores. Visitors can enjoy renting boats, pedal boats, kayaks and paddleboards from several marinas and local businesses right on the water. Bring your beach towels; kids of all ages love hanging out at the Town Beach — one of Colorado’s few sandy beaches. Grab lunch from one of the many local restaurants. Or pack a picnic and pick a lake: Along with Grand Lake, you’ll have plenty to choose from nearby, including Shadow Mountain Lake, Lake Granby and others.

Read about summer in Grand Lake

The extraordinary experiences continue when Grand Lake transforms into a winter wonderland. Tick items off your bucket list as you try snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and more.

With a vast system of snowmobile trails nearby, snow-packed streets and the ability to ride right through town, Grand Lake is a snowmobiler's dream. The Grand Lake Nordic Center boasts 35km of classic- and skate-skiing trails for all experience levels, even for those with four legs. Rent snowshoes from Never Summer Mountain Products and choose from over a dozen trails within Rocky Mountain National Park.

Partake in only-in-Grand-Lake winter events like the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, ice-fishing tournaments and the Annual Pond Hockey Classic. Take in a show at Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre with a full calendar of Broadway-caliber shows throughout the summer and two special events in December. Complete your holiday shopping while perusing the stores along the historic boardwalk on Grand Avenue.

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