Itinerary: Five-Day Colorado Summer Trip
There may still be traces of snow on the highest peaks of the surrounding Rocky Mountains, but in summer, Grand County's meadows are in full bloom, the trails are cleared and the lakes are sparkling. Just 67 miles from the Denver metropolitan area, Grand County has the perfect five-day summer getaway that can introduce you to the best of the Rockies.
Five-Day Summer Trip in Grand County
Day 1: Arrival at Altitude
If you’ve arrived from the lowlands, be smart and take a day to acclimate while getting an introduction to the area.
- Take a drive on the Colorado Headwaters Scenic and Historic Byway.
- Begin on U.S. Highway 34 in Grand Lake.
- Follow the Colorado River south for 80 miles, through the towns of Granby, Hot Sulphur Springs, Parshall and Kremmling.
- Along the way, you'll get a preview of the fun to come, passing Grand Lake, Shadow Mountain Reservoir, and Lake Granby.
- End with a spectacular view of the rugged Upper Gore Canyon.
- Relax
- Head to Hot Sulphur Springs Resort to kick back with a relaxing soak in the healing waters.
- For dinner, choose from local restaurants offering everything from casual family style to upscale resort dining.
Day 2: The Western Experience
First settled in the 1880s as a ranching, farming and lumber center, Grand County has maintained many of its original buildings and sites as museums.
- Stop into the Pioneer Village Museum in Hot Sulphur Springs to see the town's original courthouse, a blacksmith shop, a 150-year-old ranch house and several antique rail cars. Other local historical sites and museums are open for visitors in Fraser, Grand Lake, and Kremmling.
- For a true hands-on Western experience, contact one of the local outfitters who offer half- and full-day horseback rides.
- On Saturdays during the summer, the traditional cowboy skills of roping, barrel racing and bull riding come alive at local rodeos like Fraser’s High-Country Stampede Rodeo and Granby’s Flying Heels Arena.
Day 3: Outdoor Adventure
You’ve got some choices to make! More than 600 miles of trails for hikers and bikers of all abilities and interests. Think about:
- Easy hike to Adams Falls near Grand Lake
- Longer hike into the Indian Peaks Wilderness
- High-adrenaline rush of biking the slopes of one of the ski resorts Both Granby Ranch and Winter Park Resort have downhill bikes parks, miles of trails and biking features to test your skills and sense of adventure.
Day 4: Rocky Mountain Memories
The Rockies are what it’s all about up here. Although Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the top 10 most visited national parks in the United States, its western side is less crowded and much quieter.
Rocky Mountain National Park requires timed entry reservations during busy seasons. Make your reservation at Recreation.gov.
- Just a short drive from the town of Grand Lake, enter the park at the Kawuneeche Visitor Center for an unforgettable drive through pine meadows, up rugged slopes and out into the open alpine highlands.
- Uncover hiking trails, picnic areas, scenic overlooks and wildlife like moose and elk. Explore spots like the Holzworth Historic Site, where you can spot cabins, a taxidermist's workshop and tent spots at the 1920s guest ranch.
- End the day back in town with a stroll along the boardwalk for some last-minute shopping and a leisurely lunch or dinner at a restaurant in Grand Lake.
Day 5: Make a Splash
Grand County offers the best in both stream and lake fishing, set among some of the most spectacular scenery around.
- The Williams Fork and Wolford Mountain Reservoirs and the five lakes and reservoirs that make up the Arapaho National Recreation Area offer outstanding fishing for rainbow, mackinaw, brown, cutthroat and brook trout as well as kokanee salmon. Learn about entry passes for Arapaho National Recreation Area.
- The 20-mile stretch of Colorado River downstream from Granby have been designated a Gold Medal trout stream; the Fraser River and other smaller streams offer equally superb fly fishing.
- All of this water also makes for some great boating. Launch your party boat or windsurfer in one of the lakes, hook up with one of several local guides to experience the thrill of Colorado River whitewater, or bring a kayak or canoe and design your own tour.
