Colorado River Headwaters Byway
Grand Lake Village, CO

Three nearby lakes make Grand Lake a popular recreational area. Camping, fishing, hiking, and boating can all be enjoyed in the vicinity of Grand Lake. This mountain resort town provides friendly service and enjoyment for people of all ages. Grand Lake is one of Colorado's oldest resorts. First settled in 1876, it became a supply center in 1879 when gold and silver were discovered nearby on the Colorado River. The much sought-after gold existed only in small amounts. By the early 1880s, the prospectors started moving on. Grand Lake survived by becoming a lakeside resort. Grand Lake, Shadow Mountain, Lake Granby, and the Colorado River headwaters are all near this town. Grand Lake still has wooden boardwalks and split lodge pole pine facades on homes and downtown buildings to give this a historic and friendly feel. Many visitors enjoy the town's historic walking tour, which begins at the Kaufmann House Museum. Any season is a good one to visit Grand Lake, with boating and camping in the summer and cross-country skiing and an extensive snowmobile trail system in the winter.