Looking for a small historic town near the park but far from crowds? Set it apart by staying at some of the fantastic and unusual places along the way. With your cone in hand, have a seat with your family on one of the wooden benches in front of the shop. Open year round. Today, the trip only takes a couple of hours. Leaning up against the national park's west side, Grand County offers unparalleled outdoor opportunities without the crowds most ski towns have. In the morning, Grand Lake is like a sheet of glass, making it the best time to be on the water with the family. The town of Grand Lake is located near the western entrance to the crown jewel of Colorado’s natural attractions: Rocky Mountain National Park. Courtyard Cabins 1 1/2 blocks off lake offer perfect setting for reunions with gazebo, picnic tables & outdoor grills. Head to Grand Lake, a quaint old Western town surrounded on three sides by Rocky Mountain National Park. Grand Lake may be one of the last remaining towns in America where you literally can walk everywhere. Jumping in the water in the designated swimming area is always an option, if you’re courageous enough to brave the frigid temperatures. Take a one minute vacation from your computer. Not bad for a town of 400 residents, all of whom seem genuinely happy you are there. You can rent kayaks, paddle boats and more from businesses located on the lake’s shore. Make the most of your time by following our itinerary covering both sides of the park. For kids, it spells freedom. It is a favorite vacation spot in Colorado for both summer and winter family activities: boating, hiking, horseback riding -- cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Completed in 2011, the jewel-box theater seats 300 people. And we mean that.”. Find out about up to the minute special offers. Read more: Fun on the water in Grand Lake. “It’s a perfect mountain kingdom protected by a circle of mountains and a beautiful lake,” says longtime local Bob Scott who owns Bob Scott’s Authentic Indian Jewelry in town. Copyright © Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce Last updated: March 31, 2012. All properties located in the heart of the village. Don’t forget to bring along snacks and water bottles to keep your crew energized and hydrated as they navigate the waters of Colorado’s largest and deepest natural lake. Perfect Cabins for Your Rocky Mountain Getaway, Rocky Mountain National Park Vacation and Travel Information, Photo Credits: Michael Hodges, Jim Osterberg. But 80 percent of park visitors enter through Estes Park because of its proximity to Colorado’s Front Range. A two-minute walk from the beach lies Grand Lake’s bustling little downtown with its charming historic boardwalk. There’s not a bad seat in the house. Grand Lake, the town, is located just one mile from the West Entrance of the national park. It is a favorite vacation spot in Colorado for both summer and winter family activities: boating, hiking, horseback riding -- cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. But 80 percent of park visitors enter through Estes Park because of its proximity to Colorado’s Front Range. You’ll find some of the best people watching west of the Continental Divide. Established in 1915, the park spans 265,000 acres of rugged and breathtaking landscape with 355 miles of hiking trails and hundreds of pristine Colorado lakes and rivers to explore. Region 1 on our RMNP Trails Map. Bring portable beach chairs for the adults and sand toys for the kids to really settle into the beach scene. Here's how to pick your approach. The town’s white-sand beach is a stone’s throw away from the rental boat docks, and it’s a fantastic place to spend time reading and playing in the warm sand. Phone: (970) 586-1206 Through winter, the Information Office is open 8:00 am–4:30 pm Mon–Fri.