We took a trip to beautiful Grand Lake this summer and had a blast. It is a great place for families looking to get away for the weekend and enjoy the beauty of Colorado.
Where to Stay in Grand Lake
We rented a vacation home that was close to the marina and about five minutes from town. It was convenient with beautiful views of Lake Granby.
There are numerous cabins and homes to rent, as well as camp sites.
What to Do in Grand Lake
Boating
Rent a pontoon boat and spend some time cruising while taking in the scenic views. We rented from Beacon Landing Marina on Lake Granby. They were very flexible when an unexpected storm rolled in and we had to move our reservation. The boat was clean and our kids had a great time on the water!
Fun bonus: They had a wide variety of life jackets, allowing our kids to pick Frozen and Gabby’s Dollhouse made them very happy.
Fishing
You can purchase a Colorado fishing license at Beacon Landing Marina or at Kirk’s Flyshop in Grand Lake. See if you can catch a lake trout or Kokanee salmon!
Beach
There is a public beach near Headwaters Marina with areas swimming, stand-up paddle boarding, picnicking or just relaxing in the sun. Pack a lunch and enjoy the stunning mountain views!
Hiking
Rocky Mountain National Park is a short drive, with 355 miles of hiking trails. Timed entry is required in the summer.
Strawberry Lake Trail is a 1.7 mile hike to the lake, with beautiful peak views. It is accessed by parking between mile markers 7 and 8.
Explore Downtown Grand Lake
There is a great playground off of the main street with swings, slides and shade! There are spinning chairs, monkey bars and a slide for every age. Our kids enjoyed playing here and bonus, there were many benches under trees so we could get a break from the sun.
Shopping
There are so many fun stores lining the street. They offer everything from books to sweatshirts and any souvenir you could think of. There are also lots of good spots for ice cream!
Where to Eat
Sagebrush BBQ and Grill: Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Sagebrush has delicious BBQ. We tried the brisket and loved it with their cornbread. The ribs and salads were also a hit. Kids meals come with ice cream which was a nice treat. They have a great patio area and are located near the playground for an after dinner stop.
Firefly Pizzeria: Offering a variety of Neapolitan pizza and gelato Firefly is a great stop for lunch or dinner. We tried the margherita and carne pizzas and they were both really tasty! Firefly is open Friday-Wednesday from 12pm-3pm and then 5pm-8pm.
The Hub: If you want to start your day with some caffeine, the Hub is the perfect place. Serving coffee, tea and smoothies, they also have burritos, bagels and an assortment of baked goods. You can pick up a sandwich here as well to take for a nice lunch on the lake.
There are several other restaurants along the main street, if you are looking for something a little more gourmet, check out The Historic Rapids Restaurant. Charlie’s Bar and Grill offers live music and Rockies is a great outdoor beer garden.
A fun getaway for a weekend, Grand Lake is an easy drive from Denver with lots to explore and enjoy!
