Grand County shines in the summertime with exciting opportunities to explore lesser-known events, activities and attractions for an authentic Western vacation
April 19, 2024
GRAND COUNTY, Colo. – The slower days of summer are just around the corner, and we invite you to expand your horizons to every nook and cranny of Grand County by adding these authentic small town experiences on your bucket list. By planning travel around off-holiday dates and focusing on more obscure events and attractions, visitors not only get a glimpse of the true character of the modern West, but also help support local communities with sustainable tourism practices. Learn more about Grand County’s commitment to sustainable tourism by reading about its “Stand Grand” campaign here: https://headwaterstrails.org/standgrand
Celebrate History, Heritage and 150 years of Grand County
Grand County encompasses seven unique town each with their own distinct character, culture and traditions. Come celebrate these vibrant communities during annual summer festivals, starting with the 59th Annual Hot Sulphur Days festival June 7-9 with fun western-themed events and activities for the whole family including a pie baking contest, 5K/10K run, horseshoe tournament, carnival games and fireworks. Next up is Kremmling Days on June 14-16 with a community barbeque and beer garden, Kids Zone, pancake breakfast, Fire Fighter games, “Cliff Golf” and Mustang Mile walk/run. Finally, Grand Lake’s Buffalo Days will be held August 16-18 with a cornhole tournament, line dancing classes, Buffalo Run 5k, fireworks and live music on the lakefront. Also, look for a special western relic to be paraded through town at each of these celebrations in honor of Grand County’s 150th anniversary.
Compete in a Local Race
Test your lungs, rub elbows with the locals and have a blast at these competitive, mountain-themed races, tournaments and rides. The 2nd annual KowTown Gravel bike race will take place on Saturday, July 6, in Kremmling, kicking off a community spaghetti dinner and culminating with a fun festival for all. Riders can choose from three courses showcasing some of the most beautiful scenery in Colorado. The rugged “Bull” course covers 90 miles of roadway through BLM lands with an elevation gain of 8,000 feet. Gravel-specific gear is recommended, although mountain bikes can also be used and e-bikes will be permitted on the 34-mile “Calf” and 65-mile “Cow” courses only.
Compete for a good cause in the Byers Peak Stampede on August 24 in Fraser to support the Shining Stars Foundation (formerly the Winter Park Half Marathon. New name, new route - same great mission!) Both the half-marathon and 5k courses take places on scenic dirt roads and trails, and 100 percent of the proceeds benefit the foundation, bringing hope to children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
Community Markets, Fairs & Festivals
Seize the opportunity to shop local with a visit to one of these summer markets for a taste of community atmosphere and camaraderie. Kremmling has a farmers’ market on select Thursday evenings starting June 6 featuring fresh food grown on local ranches, plus live music, a beer garden and kids’ activities. Granby’s Music & Market series, also on Thursday evenings, kicks off on June 20 with a wide variety of artisan vendors, local farms, bands and food trucks. Grand Lake’s annual Arts & Crafts festival will be held August 10-11 showcasing handicrafts from more than 50 artisans from near and far displaying jewelry, soaps, candles, artwork and other unique gift items.
About Grand County
Located 67 miles west of Denver, Grand County is home to wide-open spaces, breathtaking mountain scenery and authentic old-west towns. Outdoor recreational activities include golf, boating, fishing, biking, hiking, fishing, hunting and horseback riding.
The area features more than 600 miles of mapped and marked trails, one national park, one national forest, two wilderness areas, two national scenic byways, two major ski resorts, five world-class dude ranches and four mountain golf courses. Grand County’s extensive water network includes Colorado’s largest natural lake, one-thousand miles of streams, thousands of acres of high-mountain natural lakes and 11,000 acres of reservoirs. Download Grand County’s new mobile app at
Media Note: To request photography, interviews or more information, please contact Gaylene Ore, Ore Communications, at 970-531-2336 or [email protected].