A Perfect Grand Lake Day Trip

Grand Lake, Colorado, a gem nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, is the ideal destination for visitors seeking adventure, relaxation, and unforgettable memories in a stunning natural setting. From its serene waters to its proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park and outdoor activities, Grand Lake offers a plethora of things to do to fill your day trip with joy and exploration. Here’s an itinerary for a perfect day in Grand Lake.

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Morning: Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park

Kick off your day with an early visit to Rocky Mountain National Park. Accessing this hike does require a RMNP reservation, but you do not need to wait in line to enter the park.

Try the Bluewater Bakery or The Hub Coffee if you’d like a coffee or light breakfast before you head out.

Adams Falls and the East Inlet Trail

Located near Grand Lake, this trail offers an easy 0.3 mile hike (1 km) to Adams Falls and can be extended to explore further into the East Inlet area. The trail offers stunning views of meadows, lakes, and mountains. Just past the Falls, there is a fairly steep drop-off down to the river. The trail is easy to navigate, though I’d suggest holding the hands of little kids. You don’t have to go this way, you can always retrace your steps, avoiding this drop-off. Visitors frequently spot moose here and along the East Inlet Trail.

After passing the Falls, you’ll merge onto the East Inlet Trail, which extends another 9 miles (14.5 km). You can go as far as you’d like before turning around. The trail parallels the river and is fairly flat at the beginning, though it becomes harder as you go along.

• Distance: 0.6 miles (1 km) round trip (Adams Falls), up to 18 miles (29 km) roundtrip (East Inlet Trail)
• Hiking Time: 0.5 hours (Adams Falls), up to 8 hours (East Inlet Trail)
• Elevation gain/loss: +79 ft. (24 m) to the falls, 2,910 ft. (887 m) to the end of the East Inlet Trail
• Difficulty: Easy (Adam’s Falls), Hard (East Inlet Trail0
• Pet Friendly: No
• Trailhead: Park at the East Inlet Trailhead in Grand Lake. America the Beautiful Interagency Passes are accepted, or you can pay the daily entry fee ($15-$35 in 2023). Rangers do check for timed reservations.

If you are looking for other hikes in the area, check out our Grand County day hike descriptions.

Lunch in Town

For lunch, try one of the local restaurants on the boardwalk in town. A few suggestions:

• Sagebrush BBQ and Grill: the western ambience is a perfect fit for Grand Lake. The food is consistently good, and service is excellent. Sagebrush has shady, pet friendly seating on the patio.
• One Love Rum Kitchen: Caribbean inspired food in Grand Lake may not sound like a match. On a hot summer day though, this hits the spot.
• Miyauchi’s Snack Bar: great spot for a quick bite to eat or an ice cream by the lake.
• Rapids Lodge and Restaurant: for a quieter lunch, walk over to the Rapids Lodge to enjoy lunch by the river.

Afternoon: Water Activities on Grand Lake

Grand Lake, previously known as Spirit Lake, is Colorado’s largest natural lake. It is the perfect spot to spend an afternoon on the water. An added benefit is that Grand Lake is connected to Shadow Mountain Reservoir by a canal, making it easy to visit both lakes in one afternoon. In case you need to rent a boat, some of the top options are included below. After your outing on the water, enjoy a dip in Grand Lake at the town beach, along with an ice cream at Miyauchi’s snack bar.

Kayaks

• Mountain Paddlers offers single and tandem kayak rentals directly on the beach on Grand Lake.
• Grand County Kayaks delivers paddle boards (SUP’s) and single and double kayaks to the body of water of your choice in Grand County. If you want to get away from the crowds and motorized boars, Willow Creek Reservoir is a good alternative.

Paddle Boards

• Rocky Mountain SUP offers paddle boards directly on Grand Lake. Reserving online is always a good idea. Their SUP stand is just below the Riviera Motel.

Motor Boats, Pontoon Boats, and more

• Trail Ridge Marina on Shadow Mountain Reservoir offers pontoon boat, fishing boat, and kayak rentals. The customer service here is great. Some of the pontoon boats are pet friendly.
• Grand Lake Marina offers motorized boats, kayaks, and paddle boards.

The islands on the south side of Shadow Mountain are a great place to spot wildlife: Osprey, bald eagles, deer, and moose are frequent visitors. I’ve also spotted moose and mule deer near the Hilltop boat ramp and along the northeast shore of Shadow Mountain Reservoir.

Late Afternoon: Stroll Around Grand Lake

After your water activities, head back to the boardwalk area of Grand Lake to explore. This charming area is lined with local shops, galleries, and cafes.

Evening: Dinner and Stargazing

Head up to the Grand Lake Lodge to enjoy spectacular sunset views from the front porch. There is a bar if you’d like to enjoy a drink or snack while watching the sunset. Afterwards, stay at the Grand Lake Lodge to enjoy dinner at the Huntington House Tavern. They offer a fixed price menu, which is consistently excellent.

For a more affordable alternative, head back into town to one of Grand Lake’s family-friendly restaurants, offering everything from gourmet pizzas to traditional mountain fare. As night falls, head to the shores of Grand Lake, where the clear mountain skies offer some of the best stargazing opportunities in Colorado. It’s a magical way to end your Grand Lake day trip.

Cherishing Grand Lake Memories

A day trip from Denver to Grand Lake promises a mix of adventure and relaxation. With its breathtaking natural beauty, range of outdoor activities, and welcoming mountain town vibe, Grand Lake is a destination that you’ll cherish and remember for years to come. Whether it’s your first visit or one of many, a day trip to Grand Lake always has something new and exciting to offer.

If possible, plan to spend the night in Grand Lake and add a day trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. For more Grand County planning tips, check out Plan Your Perfect Grand County Summer Getaway. If you’re interested in visiting in winter, check out our post on Exploring Rocky Mountain National Park in Winter.

Travel Tips

How to Get to Grand Lake

• By plane: The most convenient airport is Denver International Airport (DIA). Located about 2.5 hours away by car.
• Airport shuttle: Home James and Grand Mountain Rides provide airport transportation between DIA and 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 2.5-hour drive on average from Denver. e 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.

Where to Stay

• 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.
• Gateway Inn: a western themed hotel, conveniently located to both the park and town.
• Winding River Resort: right next to the park, this resort has camping and cabins, trail rides in summer, and sleigh rides in winter.
• 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.

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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