A-frames near Granby with hot tubs
A charming outdoor resort town tucked into the mountains outside of Rocky Mountain National Park.
A-frames near Granby with hot tubs guide
Overview
This quaint Colorado mountain town is a great base for exploring the western side of Rocky Mountain National Park. The town itself sits in a wide valley, with incredible views of the Rocky Mountains in every direction. From hiking, mountain biking, boating, and fishing in the summer to downhill skiing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing in the winter, Granby is an outdoor lover’s dream and one of Colorado’s best-kept secrets. From scenic campsites in neighboring Arapaho National Forest and Rocky Mountain National Park to lakeside RV parks on Lake Granby and luxury glamping spots, campers will find plenty of options near Granby.
Where to go
Lake Granby
Lake Granby is Colorado’s third-largest body of water, and it’s just ten minutes outside of Granby. Boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing are popular activities on the lake and paddleboard rentals are available in nearby Grand Lake. Several campgrounds are located on the shores of Lake Granby from lakeside RV parks stacked with amenities to wooded National Forest campgrounds ideal for tent campers.
Rocky Mountain National Park
It’s only a twenty-minute drive to the Grand Lake entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park from Granby. On the western side of the park, you can see the headwaters of the Colorado River, hike to the old mining town of Lulu City, or drive the entire Trail Ridge Road to Estes Park. Timber Creek Campground is the closest campground to Granby in the park and it operates on a first-come, first-served basis only.
Winter Park
The mountain resort town of Winter Park is only 25 minutes south of Granby. It’s known best as a winter sports destination but in summer, Winter Park transforms into a summer playground for hikers, mountain bikers, whitewater enthusiasts, and more. The Idlewild Campground is just outside Winter Park off of Highway 40. The paved Fraser River Trail connects the campground to downtown Winter Park.
When to go
Granby is a bit under-the-radar as far as Colorado mountain town destinations making it a great alternative to Winter Park or Grand Lake during the busy summer season. Summer is the best time for paddling and fishing on Lake Granby and late September is the best time to see fall colors. The Grand Lake entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is open year-round, but Trail Ridge Road only remains open to the Colorado River Trailhead in winter.
Know before you go
- Granby has a grocery store, several outdoor gear stores, and restaurants. Stores are more oriented to locals in Granby compared to those in the tourist towns of Winter Park and Grand Lake.
- Granby lies on Colorado’s Amtrak train route. Take this train east to Denver or west to Glenwood Springs or Grand Junction.
- The Granby Ranch offers lift-served downhill mountain biking just south of town.
