Top 5 Off-the-Beaten Path Attractions in Grand County, Colorado

A group of people walking on a dirt road.

Grand County is full of adventure, and life should be, too. So instead of walking the same well-trodden paths as everyone else, why not try something new? To skip the crowds and discover another side to Grand County, check out these five off-the-beaten-path attractions.

1. Off-Roading in Grand Lake

Grand Lake attracts visitors from far and wide during the winter. But once the snow melts, the trails become a wide-open playground for ATV and OHV enthusiasts. Just outside of town, Idleglen OHV Recreation Area boasts 130 miles of well-marked trails with lake, mountain and canyon views — and maybe even some wildlife, too! 

2. Hiking In Hot Sulphur Springs 

The Elk Mountain Trail is an under-the-radar hike in the Arapahoe National Forest near Hot Sulphur Springs. Besides being a great place to see birds and other wildlife, this 3.5-mile trail is also laden with wildflowers in the summertime. Once at the summit, hikers are rewarded with 360-degree views of Grand County and Rocky Mountain National Park.

3. Rafting on the Colorado River

For whitewater rafting adventures, the upper Colorado River near Kremmling is the place to go. Families and first-timers will enjoy the beautiful canyon scenery and easy-to-navigate class II and III whitewater. And more experienced rafters can experience nonstop drops, obstacles and steep gradients in Gore Canyon’s class IV and V rapids.

4. Camping Near Hot Springs In Kremmling

On the banks of Sheephorn Creek just upstream from where it meets the Colorado River, Mugrage Campground is definitely off the beaten path. But what this primitive campground near Kremmling lacks in facilities, it more than makes up for by being just a short walk (or paddle) to Radium Hot Springs. Mugrage is a great place to stay when whitewater rafting or tubing on the Colorado River, and for those who need more amenities, Radium Campground and Pumphouse Campground are both excellent nearby options. 

5. Mountain Biking Through the Fraser Valley to Lake Granby 

The gorgeous combined Strawberry Creek West/Doe Creek Trail starts north of Tabernash and winds through the Fraser Valley to Strawberry Lake and then along Doe Creek Trail to the shores of Lake Granby. Along the way, it passes through meadows, hops over log bridges and crosses creeks with views of the Indian Peaks in the distance. Although this 23-mile trail gets fewer riders than other Grand County mountain bike trails, it ranks among the best.