Four mile loop with wide variety of settings including mountain lake, rushing streams, clear wide river, deep woods, open meadows, rocky mountainsides, cool bridges, etc. Best return on effort. Relatively level – good for kids and grandparents. Dogs are allowed but there are moose, so keep them on leash. Pass required, stop at booth for day pass OR display your America the Beautiful Annual Pass.
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Hiking, fishing, horseback riding, moose watching, scenic driving, stargazing, educational programs, mountain climbing, backpacking…and that’s just in the summer! Could write a book, but I think it’s been done! So here’s the very short list…don’t miss Trail Ridge Road, take time for a hike, and watch carefully for wildlife.
nps.gov/romophotos
One of kind movie theater and bowling alley. Theater has posh stadium seats with trays so you can eat a pizza and have a drink while watching the show. Usually playing the newest films, usually one that’s family friendly. Bowling alley area has leather couches, bar-height tables and a Spider-man pinball machine. Plus, it’s worth a visit just for the absolutely fabulous ladies room.
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Ski, golf, fish, hike, bike, eat, drink, listen to live music, swim, hot tub, enjoy the sunrise, sunset, do everything, do nothing, etc.
granbyranch.com(888) 850-4615photos
This is my favorite trail! It’s part of RMNP, but the East Inlet Trailhead is actually located on the eastern end of Grand Lake. (So you don’t even need a park pass.) If you hike to Lake Verna, it’s about 13 miles round trip with quite a bit of elevation gain. But fear not, however far you go on this trail, it’s worth it! Adams Falls is less than half a mile from parking lot and Lone Pine Lake is a nice lunch destination.
nps.gov/romo/photos
We love the Y! Especially the summer day camps. Other activities include hiking, swimming, roller skating, mini-golf, winter & summer tubing, archery, crafts, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, arts & crafts, dog sled rides, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and goats.
ymcarockies.org (888) 613-9622photos
Grand Lake is a lovely little mountain village complete with boardwalk, art galleries, outfitters, souvenir shops and restaurants. The lake itself offers watersports including sailing, fishing, paddleboarding and swimming (be warned – it’s cold!). There’s a very nice park and playground in the middle of town. Also home to the Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre, and a variety of other family-friendly activities. It’s also the gateway town to the West entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park!
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Looking for local culture? The rodeo is a true Colorado experience. Besides the men’s and women’s events, your kids can sign up for “Mutton Bustin” and get a trophy for riding a sheep. BBQ, drinks and snacks, playground and sandbox. Sometimes a balloon-making clown, bouncy house and other extras add to festival atmosphere. Saturday nights.
highcountrystampede.com(970) 449-9040photos
During the summer, you can enjoy live music and/or outdoor concerts almost every night of the week. They are often free and a lovely way to spend an evening. Since they are outside, the kids can dance and play while adults sit and relax. More details coming soon as schedules are posted!
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Winter Park Resort is famous for skiing, but has fun activities, eateries and shopping year-round. More to come!
winterparkresort.com (970) 726-1564photos
Green Mountain Trail is the shortest distance to Big Meadow. Continue on around Big Meadow to Granite Falls. The first couple miles are a bit…uphill…but surrounded by forest, you may not realize you are climbing a mountain. Take it slow and take breaks if you need to! Part of this trail was caught in the wildfire a few years back. The trail is safe to hike again, and there’s a certain beauty to the damaged areas. It’s amazing to watch nature repair itself.
nps.gov/romo/photos
Trail Ridge Road is the highway through Rocky Mountain National Park that connects Grand Lake on the West side to Estes Park on the east side. Everyone should make this drive at least once in their life. Trail Ridge is open only during the summer. Bring a cooler with drinks and snacks, or a full picnic. Grab a jacket and fill up with gas before entering the park. Plan for at least 3 hours, including stops, to make the full trip. Or visit the Alpine Visitor Center for shorter, but still amazing, experience.
nps.gov/romophotos
Grand County has a great summer line-up of Fairs & Festivals. Many are free and most are family-friendly. In the past, we’ve enjoyed a Chocolate Festival, a Family Fun Fair, an awesome July 4th Celebration, and my personal favorite – the Alpine Art Affair. There are also many music-specific festivals and at least one brew-centered fair. (Those are very popular and require tickets!) More details as announced.
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Grand County is full of wildlife! RMNP is a top spot, but keep an eye out wherever you go! At Granby Ranch, we have marmots, deer, and ROUS’s. And I’ve seen moose (plural) on the Confluence Trail the middle of Winter Park. Sunset is the best time.
Sombrero Stables at Snow Mountain Ranch offers many options for trail, wagon and sleigh rides, but my favorite is the Cowboy Dinner. You enjoy a peaceful, two hour ride through the woods and about halfway through, you stop for a “cowboy” dinner of steak, beans, potatoes, and watermelon. So much fun and a great “Colorado” experience.
snowmountainranch.org/activities/horseback-riding/(970) 887-1999
Colorado River Trailhead can take you many places. It starts with a very steep incline, but is relatively flat for quite a ways after that, so it’s a nice choice for families. It has a variety of landscapes and landmarks, so you can enjoy a nice hike, however long or short. The trail follows the river, but if you can make past the Lulu City sign, to where it crosses the river, we often see moose there. It makes a nice goal for kids. (Just don’t promise moose!)
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You will need a four-wheel drive vehicle to reach the High Lonesome Trailhead. It starts fairly high and much of the trail is above the beetle-kill line. (So we can remember and look forward to green trees again!) Trail has wide variety but the alpine lake at the end is just breathtaking. The trail is not as well traveled or marked as some, when on the rocky areas, look for the cairn – stacks of rocks – to lead you on.
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Try to wake up for sunrise at least once. The sun rises rather late over the mountains, so it’s not so hard. Take your coffee, tea, and/or dog for a walk around our little lake. Sunset is beautiful anywhere outdoors, but it’s nice to take a quick drive to gazebo at top of hill. Sun still sets in the west, but look to the east for Aspenglow.
Haven’t tried this yet, but you can rent a bike, take it on the (ski) lift, and then ride down the mountain. At Granby Ranch, it’s something active visitors can do. At Winter Park, there are guys wearing body armor. Although there are probably beginner trails as well?
For a little less adrenaline, you can also choose to bike on the paved Fraser River Trail, the more level Fraser to Granby Trail, or on the many of the National Forest Trails. Serious cyclists can also ride over Trail Ridge Road, which is currently (in April) open to bikes but not yet to automobiles.
Idaho Springs is a quiet little mountain town squeezed into a valley along Highway 70. It has a lovely historic main street with interesting shops and a variety of restaurants. The original Beau Jo’s is here, along with the very popular TommyKnocker Brewery. Depending on your schedule, it’s a nice place to eat before heading over Berthould Pass into Grand County. Also opportunities for rafting, zip-lining and touring a gold mine!
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Full season of Broadway musicals throughout summer. Shows schedules overlap, so whatever week you visit, you can see your favorite. Or, see them all! Buy tickets early for the more popular “family” shows – for 2018, that would be Annie.
rockymountainrep.com(970) 627-3421
I haven’t played myself (yet!) so cannot give a real recommendation, but Granby Ranch has a lovely 18-hole course surrounded by mountain views. Visitors to Grand County can also play at Pole Creek Golf Club and Grand Elk.
granbyranch.com/golf-granby-ranch970-887-5102
Hideaway Park is very centrally located in Winter Park and a great place to find fun all summer long. Great playground. Skate park. Climbing wall. Free concerts and festivals. Pavilion for picnics. Lovely trail through Confluence Park. Great bathrooms and next door to visitor center. Good place to stop when you first arrive in town, especially if anyone needs a break from driving.
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Indoor pool with awesome slides. Great for a rainy day or just a break from skiing. Also fitness equipment and classes.
fraservalleyrec.org(970) 726-8968
Plenty of places to hop on and off this trail, but we like to rent bikes at the YMCA and ride south towards Fraser. (We consider Sharky’s to be the goal.) Our first time on bikes in almost 20 years, and we managed the 16+ mile trip. Not sure if that counts as “easy” or not. Just remember, you have to ride back! Trail Map
headwaterstrails.org
Sometimes the best thing to do is nothing at all. As you drive over the hill towards BaseCamp, there’s parking lot on your right for the Fraser to Granby Trail. On your left, you can take a short hike to a nice little gazebo and then just….sit. Enjoy the view and mountain breezes. Great place for watching the sunset as well.
Granby Ranch has a heated pool and hot tub located by Base Camp Lodge. For owners and their guests only. Our guests can find pool key card is in the kitchen drawer. Guests are not allowed into the Lodge part of the building, but there are nice bathrooms/changing rooms by the pool.
The YMCA Craft Shop is a great place to give your feet a break while giving your hands something creative to do. Whether you prefer ceramics, wood, leather, jewelry, fabric, pottery, easy or more advanced projects, you can find something of interest. Also seasonal activities likes pumpkin painting & carving. You pay by project and they provide materials, supplies, assistance and a place to get messy!
snowmountainranch.org/activities/craft-shop/photos
Granby Ranch Ski School offers ski and snowboard lessons for all ages and ability levels. Group lessons, private lesson or lessons for your private group. Half or full day lessons. For kids, full day ski school includes lunch, so it works as childcare while parents are skiing. The ski instructors at Granby Ranch are fantastic! Reserve in advance, at least the night before.
granbyranch.com/ski-ride-granby-ranch(888) 850-4615
Animal lovers may want to ask about Dog Sledding at Snow Mountain Ranch. During a fall visit, we enjoyed an educational presentation about dog-sledding and then the kids got to make their own little sleds. And then we got to hold a sled dog puppy. So cute! But in the winter, you can actually take a ride! It’s very popular, so make reservations asap!
snowmountainranch.org/activities/(888) 613-9622