Plan Your Perfect Grand County Summer Getaway

Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Grand County, Colorado, is a summer paradise waiting to be explored. From thrilling outdoor adventures to serene nature experiences, this mountainous region transforms into a vibrant playground during the summer months. Here are the top 10 things to do in Grand County during your ultimate summer mountain vacation getaway:

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Our top 10 Grand County summer activities include:

• Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park and Beyond
• Mountain Biking the Fraser Valley
• Boating and Fishing
• Golfing with a View
• Horseback Riding in the Wilderness
• Whitewater Rafting on the Colorado River
• Exploring Winter Park Resort
• Hot Air Balloon Rides
• Relaxing at the Hot Springs or the Spa
• Celebrating 4th of July

1. Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park and Beyond

One of the most popular activities in summer is hiking in Grand County. There are a variety of options, ranging from beginner and kid-friendly trails to very difficult. Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) is a top destination for many. If you do want to hike in RMNP, be sure to reserve your entry time well in advance (or be willing to get up early or go into the park late). For suggestions on day hikes, check out our post on the 10 Best Day Hikes in Grand County, Colorado.

2. Mountain Biking the Fraser Valley

For mountain biking enthusiasts, the Fraser Valley offers an extensive trail network. Trails range from beginner-friendly to challenging, providing something for every skill level. Winter Park Resort and Granby Ranch Resort both have cross-country and downhill mountain biking. Granby Ranch trails offer a wide variety of terrain and difficulty, while consistently being uncrowded.

See our Travel Tips section for bike rental and tour options.

3. Boating and Fishing

Grand Lake, Colorado’s largest and deepest natural lake, is perfect for boating, sailing, and water sports. It is connected via a canal with Shadow Mountain Reservoir, providing a full day of exploration on a pontoon boat, fishing boat, kayak, or paddle board. Rent a boat or bring your own to enjoy a day on the crystal-clear waters.

Grand County is a fisherman’s haven, with abundant lakes and streams. Whether you prefer fly fishing or spin casting, the area’s waters are teeming with trout. See our Travel Tips section for fishing gear rental and tour options.

4. Golfing with a View

Enjoy a round of golf at one of Grand County’s scenic golf courses. Pole Creek Golf Club in Fraser, and Grand Elk Golf Club and Granby Ranch Golf Club in Granby, are known for their stunning mountain backdrops and well-maintained greens. Grand Lake’s Golf Course provides a unique mountain golf experience, a bit further off the beaten path than the others.

5. Horseback Riding in the Wilderness

Explore the rugged beauty of Grand County on horseback. Local stables offer guided rides through trails that showcase the serene landscapes of the Rockies. Head out on a trail ride at Winding River Resort just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park. They also offer sleigh rides in winter.

6. Whitewater Rafting on the Colorado River

Experience the thrill of whitewater rafting on the Colorado River. Guided tours are available for all levels, from gentle floats to adrenaline-pumping rapids.

7. Exploring Winter Park Resort

Although known for winter sports, Winter Park Resort is a summer destination too. Enjoy activities like alpine slides, mini golf, disc golf, mountain biking, hiking, and scenic gondola rides.

8. Hot Air Balloon Rides

For a unique perspective, take a hot air balloon ride over the county. Witness the awe-inspiring scenery of the Rockies from above at sunrise.

9. Relaxing at the Hot Springs or the Spa

After a day of adventure, unwind at the Hot Sulphur Springs Resort & Spa. Soak in the natural hot springs pools to rejuvenate your body and mind.

Alternatively, head to Devil’s Thumb Ranch for a luxury spa day, daily mountain yoga, and more.

10. Celebrating 4th of July

A great way to maximize your summer getaway is to enjoy the small town feel of Grand County’s extensive 4th of July celebrations. Granby, Winter Park, and Grand Lake typically plan a full weekend of family-friendly events around the holiday. In the town of Granby, you can enjoy a morning parade with picnic in the park afterwards, a rodeo in the evening, followed by fireworks at dusk. Winter Park has a morning 5k Run for Independence, which is at altitude, but follows the shady downhill Fraser River Trail from the resort to town. The Rendezvous Center in Winter Park hosts an evening of outdoor music and festivities. In 2023, there was a laser show instead of the traditional fireworks show. Grand Lake’s fireworks over the lake is a truly memorable experience.

Travel Tips

Where to Stay

Grand Lake

• Grand Lake Lodge. This lodge provides a century-old national park type ambience. It has mountainside bungalows to half-cabins and more. If you are looking for a classic, camp feel with close access to the park and gorgeous views of the lake, this is a great choice.

Granby

• Sundog Condo in Granby Ranch: beautiful 1-bedroom Mountain View condo within Granby Ranch. It comes with easy access to all of the mountain amenities, such as hiking, mountain biking, golfing, scenic chairlift rides, and more.
• Sun Outdoors Camping in Granby: this is not an away from it all campground, but makes up for that with a pool, recreation area with bowling, restaurants, and more. You can bring your tent or RV, or can rent an RV or even an Airstream.
• Arapahoe Bay Campground: If getting back to nature is your thing, Arapahoe Bay Campground on Lake Granby is a great option. It is just down the hill from Monarch Lake, and has lake-front campsites.

Tabernash

• Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Tabernash. Devil’s Thumb has a beautiful location with lodge rooms to cabins (some pet friendly). In winter, you can enjoy cross country skiing on property, while in summer, hiking and mountain biking prevail.
• Snow Mountain Ranch (YMCA of the Rockies) in Tabernash offers a family-friendly camp-style setup. There are lodge rooms, 2-5 bedroom cabins, yurts and even a campground in summer. Large reunion cabins are also available, sleeping up to 40+ people. They offer 50+ activities, ranging from archery to zip lining, summer tubing hills to cross country skiing in winter, and ranger led hikes.

Winter Park

• Winter Park Chateau: this small hotel has a modern European bed & breakfast vibe. It is walking distance to the town of Winter park and to the shuttles to the mountain.
• Zephyr Mountain Lodge: this slope side hotel is ideal for those who want to participate in the summer activities at Winter Park Resort. These include hiking, mountain biking, gondola rides, mini-golf, alpine slides, and more.

How to Get to Grand County

• By plane: The most convenient airport is Denver International Airport (DIA). Located about 2 hours away by car.
• Airport shuttle: Home James and Grand Mountain Rides provide airport transportation to/from DIA from Grand County. This includes scheduled service and private rides.
• By train: Amtrak offers train service from Denver Union Station to both Winter Park-Fraser and to Granby.
• By bus: Bustang bus service (by CDOT) runs from Denver Union Station to Winter Park, Fraser, Tabernash, and Granby en route to Craig, CO (see Outride route Westbound from Denver-Craig for details).
• By car: It is a 2-hour drive on average from Denver. Be sure to check Colorado Department of Transportation’s webpage or mobile app for updates on road closures, especially during winter, as Berthoud Pass can be tricky. I strongly recommend renting an AWD car in winter.

Summer Weather in Grand County

Grand County is an ideal summer escape with daytime temperatures in the mid-70s to low 80s°F (24-28°C), perfect for outdoor activities. Nights are refreshingly cool, great for cozy evenings. Expect clear, blue skies ideal for hiking and nature walks. Brief afternoon thunderstorms are common, bringing a refreshing change to the day’s warmth.

The low humidity makes summer days comfortable. July’s peak wildflower season adds a vibrant splash of color to the landscape.

• Stay hydrated due to the dry climate and higher elevation.
• Use sun protection – sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats are essential.
• Dress in layers to adapt to changing temperatures throughout the day.

Bike Rentals

• Icebox Mountain Sports is a local business located just off the Fraser-Granby trail (with easy access to the St. Louis trail system).
• Avalanche e-bike rentals delivers bikes to you throughout the county.
• Rock-e-rental is based in Grand Lake. They provide e-bike rentals locally and delivered to your location. Additionally, they provide a 2 or 4 hour e-bike and hike tour of the Kanuweeche Valley, Adams Falls, and Monarch Lake.
• Granby Ranch mountain bike rentals are directly at the base of the resort, offering an easy option to rent your bike and hit the trails (or the chairlift for downhill biking).
• Winter Park Resort offer mountain bike rentals to use at Trestle Bike Park, or for explore the resort and other local trails.
• Snow Mountain Ranch also offers bike rentals, typically out of their programs building.
• Devils Thumb Ranch offers mountain bike rentals and instructions on beautiful trails.

Fishing guides and rentals

• Winter Park Flyfishing provides wade and float fishing guided trips ranging from 2 hours to a full day.
• Fishing with Bernie offers guided lake fishing experiences.
• Granby Bait and Tackle offers reasonably priced equipment rentals.

Grand County Summer Rainy Day Activities

It is rare that you have full days of rain in Grand County in summer, but it can happen. There are plenty of options if you run into this rarity during your summer getaway:

• Grand Park Community Recreation Center is a wonderful resource. Its pool, water slide, and lazy river provide hours of enjoyment. There are also drop in gymnastics hours for the kids, basketball courts, and a fitness area.
• The Foundry Cinema and Bowl offer first-run movies and bowling.
• Troublesome Tomahawks in Granby offers axe throwing.
• Pioneer Village Museum in Winter Park, just outside of Rendezvous, provides a small, but packed history of the Fraser River Valley.
• Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre in Grand Lake, a professional theater company, offers a variety of performances.
• Headwaters River Journey has a museum focused on experiencing water and wildlife.
• Paint and Sip Fraser has scheduled and custom painting sessions.
• Snow Mountain Ranch’s craft shop is a traditional craft shop. You can choose from woodwork, leatherwork, paining, and a variety of other crafts. If you choose to paint pottery, keep in mind that you may need to wait a few days to pick these up.

Essential Hiking Tips

• Mountain weather: Always check the forecast before heading out and watch for rapid weather changes. When you see bad weather coming, get below timberline.
• Hydration and Fuel: Bring more water for your day hikes than you think you’ll need. Electrolytes can help you stay hydrated (e.g., Nuun and LiquidIV). Don’t drink water from streams and ponds, unless you are using a LifeStraw or similar. Pack energy-boosting snacks like nuts, fruits, and energy bars.
• Leave no Trace: Preserve the natural beauty by following the Leave No Trace principles. Pack out all trash, stay on designated trails, and avoid disturbing wildlife.
• Wildlife Awareness: Be aware of the wildlife in the area. Make noise while hiking to avoid surprising animals and know what to do in an encounter with local animals.
• Navigation: If you are using a map on your phone, make sure that it is downloaded. Cell service can be unreliable in the wilderness areas. Inform someone of your hiking plan and expected return time.
• First Aid: Carry a basic first aid kit for minor injuries. This should include, at minimum, Band-Aids, antiseptic, aspirin, mirror, matches, and a jack-knife, a whistle, flashlight, and multi-tool.
• Check our post on Day Hike Essentials for a more comprehensive list of items to bring on your day hike.

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