Sitting high in the Colorado Rockies, Grand County is home to world-class skiing, natural hot springs, pristine lakes, and sweeping vistas. As headwaters to the Colorado River, and anchored by the renowned Winter Park Resort, Grand County provides a spectacular backdrop for outdoor adventure less than 2 hours northwest of Denver.
Year-round outdoor recreation defines the Grand County lifestyle. Not only does winter transform the area into a premier skiing and snowboarding destination at Winter Park and Fraser, neighboring Grand Lake has been called the Official Snowmobile Capital of Colorado. Grand County is also renowned for generally heavy snowfall, yet boasts over 300 days of sunshine.
When the snow melts, the awe-inspiring landscape starts to make way for summer visitors, whitewater rafting, and high mountain treks. With Grand Lake serving as the western gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, as well as home to Colorado’s largest natural lake, there are endless opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, or simply paddling across the lake.
Boating, fishing, and watersports are also plentiful at neighboring Shadow Mountain Lake or Lake Granby - Colorado’s third largest body of water with over 40 miles of shoreline. Golf enthusiasts can also tee off at one of the area’s golf courses, framed by unparalleled views of the Rockies.
Hot Sulphur Springs in Grand County has attracted visitors since the late 19th century, while Winter Park started to draw ski aficionados as early as the 1930s. Today, because of its convenient location just beyond the Front Range, the majority of visitors to the area travel from the Denver metropolitan area and other major urban hubs across the Midwest and Texas. The scenic drive via US Highway 40 over Berthoud Pass makes it highly accessible for weekend getaways and extended vacations alike.
Celebration of the region’s rich history, from the original Ute and Arapaho people to early settlers in the mid-1820s, is a reminder of its pivotal role in the expansion of the American West. Early pioneers, ranchers, and loggers built the foundation of towns like Grand Lake and Fraser, leaving behind a rich heritage visible in local museums and historic downtown architecture. The completion of the Moffat Tunnel in 1928 revolutionized train travel through the Continental Divide, connecting Denver directly to the western slopes.
Don’t miss out on experiencing the rugged beauty, rich history, and endless outdoor activities of the Colorado Rockies in Grand County.
