Grand Lake

Situated at the western border of Rocky Mountain National Park, near the headwaters of the Colorado River, Grand Lake is Colorado's largest natural lake. The village of Grand Lake—surrounded by Shadow Mountain, Grand Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park and Arapaho National Recreation Area—is the western gateway to the park and provides numerous visitor services and activities.

Summer visitors enjoy fishing, mountain biking, boating, horseback riding, waterskiing, hiking, camping, birdwatching, rafting in the area and live theater. The Grand Lake Golf Course ranks as one of Colorado's 10 best.

In winter, you can snow-mobile straight from your room, through town, and out onto more than 100 miles of groomed trails in the adjacent National Forest. Alpine skiing is available at three major ski areas in the county, all within 50 minutes of town. There are unlimited cross-country skiing opportunities in the neighboring Rockies and a maintained, cross- country ski trail system at the Grand Lake Ski Touring Center. The town has an ice-skating rink as well as plenty of good sledding hills and ice fishing sites.

A travel destination point for more than 100 years, Grand Lake has carefully preserved its heritage as one of Colo-rado's oldest resort communities. Throughout town, you'll find the unique architectural style of a split lodgepole pine facade, wooden boardwalks and a rustic Western touch. The historic Kauffman House museum, a former stage stop and hotel built in 1892, provides a glimpse into life in the early days of Grand Lake.

Information Centers

For lodging referrals and information about services and special events, stop by the Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center located at the town entrance, U.S. 34 (the Colorado River Head-waters Scenic Byway); it is open daily between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. in the summer, and Thursday through Sunday in the winter. Contact the Chamber at P.O. Box 57, Grand Lake, CO 80447; (970) 627-3402; or visit www.grandlakechamber.com. To receive a vacation planner packet, please call (800) 531-1019.

For activities information, contact Grand Lake Metro Recreation District, P.O. Box 590, Grand Lake, CO 80447; (970) 627-8328. Its central offices, the Grand Lake Golf Course and the Ski Touring Center are located two miles off U.S. 34 at the end of County Road 48 (Golf Course Road). For more golf course or ski touring information, pleae call the Pro Shop/Ski Shop at (970) 627-8008, or the Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce at (970) 627-3402.

Accommodations

Mountain log cabins and lodges, housekeeping rooms, condos, guest ranches, bed-and-breakfasts and motels are among the many accommodations available in Grand Lake. Overnight campgrounds for tent and RV camping are also found in the area.

Dining and Nightlife

Many restaurants, cafés and saloons offer a variety of cuisine. Evening activities are available year-round, especially in sum-mer. They include live entertainment, dancing and family activities. Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre, now in its 33rd season, performs Monday through Saturday nights at the historic Community House, June through August, and weekends in September. The live theatre runs mid-June to August with some September productions. Call (970) 627-3421 for ticket and show information.

Visitor Services

You'll find visitor services in Grand Lake or the neighboring community of Granby that include banking and fax services, gasoline stations, a kennel and -veterinarian (Granby only), a laundromat and a post office. Boat, kayak, personal watercraft, scooter, ATV and mountain bike rentals are offered in summer while snow-mobile, cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals are available in winter.

Also, there are grocery stores, a pharmacy, sporting goods stores and numerous specialty shops along the boardwalk that feature handsome gifts, collectors' items and apparel. 

Medical Services

Grand Lake has emergency medical technicians on duty 24 hours a day. To report an accident, fire or medical emergency, call 911 or (970) 725-3343. Granby is served by the Granby Medical Clinic at (970) 887-2117. You can also contact the Kremmling Memorial Hospital at (970) 724-3442.

Religious Services 

Weekly worship services are held in four locations within Grand Lake. Cath-o-lic masses are held at St. Anne's Parish at 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday. The Gospel Church has the Living Word Christian Fellowship at 10 a.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Wednesday. You may attend a Pres-byterian sermon at Trinity Church in the Pines at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday. Evangelical services can be found at Stillwater Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Special Events

January and February welcomes winter and the arrival of ice fishing derbies, snowmobile and snow cross races, full moon cross-country ski trips and Concerts in the Pines. Don't miss the Winter Carnival held on the last weekend in January. 

In June, the Grand Festival of the Arts and the Annual Chili Cook-off take place in the town square.

July 4th features an awesome fireworks display over the lake and during the months of July and August, Western Weekend celebrates the town's cowboy and -pio-neer heritage. You can try farm-raised buffalo at the Buffalo Barbecue and Parade, watch the Grand Lake Rubber Duckie Races, and watch the Grand Lake Regatta and Lipton Cup Races, or even check out the Reptilian Ball. 

Several golf tournaments are held from June through September, and then fall brings Fall Festival, a celebration of the changing color of the aspen trees.

Come November and December, holiday festivities include an Arts and Crafts Bazaar, the Lighting of Grand Lake, sleigh rides, caroling, a holiday melodrama and ice skating. There are 300 miles of groomed snowmobile trails and two Alpine ski resorts. For more, call the Chamber of Commerce at (970) 627-3402 or (970) 627-3372 or visit online www.grandlakechamber.com.