Grand County, Colorado's Playground
Table of Contents
Story and photos by Scott Kendall
Grand County, Colorado is a year round playground just over an hour northwest of Denver. Opportunities to Play, Stay, and Eat in Grand County are endless. This article is based on a trip we took in late March, when snow was still on the mountains and winter activities still an option. Even when the snow melts, Grand County is chock full of fun activities like hiking, water activities, scenic drives, and hundreds of fantastic shops, restaurants, and breweries.
In addition to the fantastic activities and sites in Grand County, Rocky National Park lies just northeast of Grand County. The main towns include Winter Park, Granby, Fraser, Kremmling, and Grand Lake. Every little town and every nook and cranny in between has glorious views and countless fun things to see and do.
Winter Park
Winter Park is the winter playground for thousands of visitors every year. With over 3,000 acres of ski trails from beginner to expert, Winter Park has you skiing wishes covered. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, alpine slides, gondola rides, mountain biking, hiking, ziplining, and ropes courses are just some of the many available activities to enjoy. Whitewater rafting, rock climbing, tubing (with or without snow), and ATV can add even more excitement to your visit to Winter Park any time of year.
Stay Winter Park
Stay Winter Park manages hundreds of condominiums, houses, and other rentals in the area. We stayed in a nice two bedroom condo nestled on the hillside. We had plenty of quiet and solitude, and yet were only five minutes from downtown. Our fully furnished condominium came complete with a full kitchen, comfortable queen sized beds in the two bedrooms, and a large fireplace to keep us warm and cozy at night.
YMCA of the Rockies – Snow Mountain Ranch
This is not your typical city YMCA. With acres and acres of space for lodging, playing and eating, YMCA of the Rockies – Snow Mountain Ranch is the ideal location for family vacations. Activities like cross-country skiing, hiking, biking, swimming, and others will keep everyone entertained. You’ll also want to make time to relax, grab a bite at one of the many eateries, and enjoy the tremendous views all around you.
Snowmobiling, Tubing, Skiing, Hiking and More
Snowmobiling was high on our list of adventures for our visit. Grand Adventures took great care of us at their location in Fraser just minutes from Winter Park. Our snowmobile escapade started with making sure we had all the necessary equipment. Warm clothes in layers, gloves, helmet, snow boots, and snow goggles completed the list.
Grand Adventures supplies the helmet and snowmobile with your ticket purchase. Snow goggles are available for purchase, and you can rent a snow suit for $10. Once you are warm and safely dressed, your guide will give you a safety review and operating instructions for your trip. Pay attention, because many of the guide’s helpful suggestions will come in handy. Even beginners can quickly master operating these machines. Just be careful, follow the rules, listen to your guide, and you will be fine. Enjoy the ride!
Other fun activities involving movement and snow are Snow Tubing on Fraser Tubing Hill and snow shoeing on the many scenic trails in the area. And, of course, there is plenty of opportunity for downhill skiing and snowboarding, as well as cross country skiing.
Breweries and Distilleries
Throughout Grand County you will find several great breweries and distilleries. Don’t miss award winning Fraser Valley Distilling on Highway 40 in Winter Park. Just down the road is Peak Bistro & Brewery, a friendly sports bar featuring large screen televisions and banners of hundreds of your favorite college and professional teams. Idlewilde Spirits Brewpub and Restaurant, voted Best Cocktail/Bar by Sky High New Readers, is another popular destination. Try their inventive new-age cocktails and award winning Grappa, made from remnants of the nearby Winter Park Winery.
Hernando’s Pizza
Decorated with over 35,000 dollar bills, Hernando’s Pizza has been a favorite hangout for pizza, beer, and other treats in Winter Park since 1967. The friendly staff will help you order the pizza just right for you. Fresh and hot, choose your crust and toppings from the extensive menu. They also serve pasta, sandwiches, salads, and other menu options. When you arrive, check to see if the Lego Yoda still mans the hostess stand.
Grandby
River Run RV Resort
River Run RV Resort is a new development just outside Grandby and only a half hour to the southwest corner of Rocky Mountain National Park. Although a large part of River Run Resort is dedicated to RVers, the resort also has a large selection of other lodgings and amenities. From small cabins to Airstreams and Conestoga wagons to tent camping, guests have so many choices. River Run has its own General Store, the Summit Bar & Grill, a playground, swimming pool, and other on site amenities.
Summit Bar & Grill
Summit Bar & Grill at River Run is a great place to grab a bite or drink, play some arcade games, watch sports on the televisions, or even go bowling on the mini-lanes. Summitt has a small menu, but we were impressed with each item we tried. The pulled pork was tender and flavorful, the fries hot and cooked just right to a golden brown, the buffalo chicken wraps were excellent, and my wife enjoyed her salad. Each of us washed down our dinner with a cold local draft beer. When we were done, we enjoyed our short five minute walk to our cabin just around the corner.
Two Pines Supply in Grandby
“Between every two pines
is a doorway to a new world.”
John Muir
While staying in Grandby, we discovered Two Pines Supply. Two Pines is a treasure trove of supplies and equipment for all of your outdoor adventures. At this locally owned and operated shop, visitors can buy or rent snowshoes, bicycles, tents, backpacks, portable stoves, and more. The friendly staff will help you pick out the right supplies and equipment for you, and can offer advice and suggestions on things to see and do in the area. The name Two Pines comes from a quote by famous naturalist John Muir, who said, “Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world.”
Brickhouse 40
Housed in Grandby’s first brick building, Brickhouse 40 reopened in 2018. The excellent chef-driven menu offers traditional dishes as well as specially created items. Start with the Colorado Bulldog cocktail, a tantalizing cocktail of vodka, kahlua cream, cola, and chocolate. Try the Firecracker Shrimp or a bowl of Colorado Elk Chili. My wife had the delicious Blackened Salmon, and I was very pleased with the signature Brickhouse Bowl. The Brickhouse Bowl was the ultimate comfort dish, with mashed potatoes, pulled pork, cheddar cheese, chicken tenders, corn, and a BBQ gravy.
Grand Lake
Grand Lake is a picturesque small town at the southwestern edge of the Rocky Mountain National Park. Although some areas near the town were threatened by wildfires in recent years, Grand Lake is making a comeback. With its namesake Grand Lake surrounded by scenic mountain views, Grand Lake is nestled in a picture perfect corner of the Colorado mountains. Grand Avenue has dozens of shops, restaurants, museums, and galleries, and attractions. While visiting Grand Lake, we drove the mile or so to the East Inlet Hiking Trail, a gorgeous hike featuring Adams Falls and beautiful views of Grand Lake. We thoroughly enjoyed our breakfast and fresh coffee at the Sagebrush BBQ & Grill.
Come Visit Colorado's Playground
Join the thousands of happy people who visit Grand County every year. Come to ski, hike, eat, drink, shop, camp, and to enjoy the magnificent landscapes of this central Colorado paradise.
Scott Kendall is the Founder, Editor, and frequent contributor to PlayStayEat. He is a former Navy Officer, teacher and tennis coach who is an avid traveler and writer. Scott has traveled extensively throughout the United States and overseas to Italy, France, England, Croatia, Slovenia, and others. In addition to his contributions to PlayStayEat, much of his published work can be seen at scottkendalltravels.com.