Grand Lake is a small town of 400 people (2020) in the Northwestern region of the Rocky Mountain state of Colorado. Grand Lake sits at the southwest entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. It is a tourist destination adjacent to the western entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, which surrounds the lake and the town on three sides.
Understand
Grand Lake is the largest natural body of water in Colorado. The town of Grand Lake began as an outfitting and supply point for the mining settlements of Lulu City, Teller City, and Gaskill.
Get in
U.S. Route 34 (Trail Ridge Road) runs through the western side of the town, entering Rocky Mountain National Park just north of town and leading 45 miles (72 km) across the mountains to Estes Park. To the southwest, US 34 leads 15 miles (24 km) to Granby.
Get around
See
The Kauffman House is an rustic log house listed on the National Register of Heritage Properties. It functioned as a hotel from its construction in 1892 until 1946. The Grand Lake Area Historical Society purchased the house in 1973 and converted it into a museum as the only pre-20th century log hotel remaining in Grand Lake.
Grand Lake is home to the Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre. This summer stock theatre company produces various theatrical productions throughout the year, usually three Broadway musicals from June through August and one musical in September.
Do
Grand Lake is Colorado's largest and deepest natural lake, and there are publicly and privately operated marinas, a public boat ramp, and public boat docks on the lake.