We've booked a week at Winding River Resort in Grand Lake next summer (late June) and plan to do some mild exploring in the area. Will have 2 smaller kids (6 and 2) so nothing too crazy with "go hike 7 miles" or anything like that.

Things I'm looking at doing:
- Rent UTV/SxS one day and do some trail riding
- Horseback riding
- Drive Trail Ridge road
- Hanging out in town of Grand Lake (kids play in the park, mild shopping, ice cream, etc.)


Any other ideas, recommendations, places to eat, museums or exhibits to see?

I have not a actually been in Grand Lake, but have been in the area several times. There are great restaurant choices around Winter Park (Prob 20-30 mins away). The Ditch 40 is the one a remember - great burgers with a Southwestern flair (think Hatch green chilis).

Are you into hiking? There is a trailhead at Monarch Lake (east end of Lake Granby) that has several branches. The trail I have been on is the Cascade Creek or Cascade Falls trail. It is an easyish incline all the way to Crater Lake. Cascade Falls is about halfway up. It's a beautiful multi level waterfall hidden in the trees - you will hear it way before you see it. Crater Lake is an alpline lake - crystal clear water surrounded by multiple peaks.

The hike to Cascade is probably a half-day adventure and the hike to Crater Lake probably a full day.

ChoppinDs40 said:

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We've booked a week at Winding River Resort in Grand Lake next summer (late June) and plan to do some mild exploring in the area. Will have 2 smaller kids (6 and 2) so nothing too crazy with "go hike 7 miles" or anything like that.

Things I'm looking at doing:
- Rent UTV/SxS one day and do some trail riding
- Horseback riding
- Drive Trail Ridge road
- Hanging out in town of Grand Lake (kids play in the park, mild shopping, ice cream, etc.)


Any other ideas, recommendations, places to eat, museums or exhibits to see?

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We went in the summer. Did Estes Park, Grand Lake, Breck, snowmass... really nice in the summer. Played golf in Grand Lake. There is a nice restaurant that overlooks the lake.

Rent a boat for half a day.

Not sure I could do a whole trip just in Grand Lake. Pretty town though.

Great place to see Moose

You're right next to RMNP. Had a bad fire in that area not too long ago.

austinag1997 said:

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ChoppinDs40 said:

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We've booked a week at Winding River Resort in Grand Lake next summer (late June) and plan to do some mild exploring in the area. Will have 2 smaller kids (6 and 2) so nothing too crazy with "go hike 7 miles" or anything like that.

Things I'm looking at doing:
- Rent UTV/SxS one day and do some trail riding
- Horseback riding
- Drive Trail Ridge road
- Hanging out in town of Grand Lake (kids play in the park, mild shopping, ice cream, etc.)


Any other ideas, recommendations, places to eat, museums or exhibits to see?

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We went in the summer. Did Estes Park, Grand Lake, Breck, snowmass... really nice in the summer. Played golf in Grand Lake. There is a nice restaurant that overlooks the lake.

Rent a boat for half a day.

Not sure I could do a whole trip just in Grand Lake. Pretty town though.

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What restaurant?

This is week 1 of 2 week RV trip. I'll be working most of the week and wife+kids doing some other stuff.

ColoradoMooseHerd said:

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Great place to see Moose

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User name checks out

We were in that area last summer. It was great. Adam Falls was an easy hike. You need rmnp passes, maybe look into getting yours soon.
We stayed at Granby. Winter Park is nearby and has activities on the mountain. Kids had a blast. Didn't read when you are going and not clicking back to find out.
We drove a little ways to the town of Hot Sulphur Springs. They have some hot springs you can get in. Their pools are tiny and it is weirdly eclectic and looks like they haven't done anything since 1983. The hot springs were extra sulfury. Like almost have to throw out your swim suit bad. I enjoyed it.
Grand Lake has a cool old town area. Restaurants and tourist shops and all that fun mountain town stuff.

We're going last week of June.

Then I would definitely recommend winter park. They have mountain coasters, rock climbing, putt putt and stuff. The big thing was downhill mountain biking. My kids are way too young, but it looked like fun.

Thanks for reco. I've skied winter park probably 20 times Will be there in February.

WP Alpine slide is 36 inches to ride. 3+ to ride w parent/18+ and 8+ to drive alone.

Ropes course is 39 inches or taller

Rock Climbing is 40lbs +

Mountain Bikes are 7+

Thanks. Won't be headed that way it seems. My 2 yr old is a little guy.

Hike to Adams Falls and then go another mile or 2, great views of East Meadow. Did with kids 2 years ago while snowing, postcard views.

Food - Miyauchis for ice cream, Firefly - great pizza, Wolfies for sandwiches right before RMNP visitor center, Bighorn Bagel for quick breakfast & coffee. Fitch Ranch Meats & Market in Granby a must stop.

Much slower and less commercialized than Estes Park or Winter Park...loved it!

ChoppinDs40 said:

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austinag1997 said:

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ChoppinDs40 said:

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We've booked a week at Winding River Resort in Grand Lake next summer (late June) and plan to do some mild exploring in the area. Will have 2 smaller kids (6 and 2) so nothing too crazy with "go hike 7 miles" or anything like that.

Things I'm looking at doing:
- Rent UTV/SxS one day and do some trail riding
- Horseback riding
- Drive Trail Ridge road
- Hanging out in town of Grand Lake (kids play in the park, mild shopping, ice cream, etc.)


Any other ideas, recommendations, places to eat, museums or exhibits to see?

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We went in the summer. Did Estes Park, Grand Lake, Breck, snowmass... really nice in the summer. Played golf in Grand Lake. There is a nice restaurant that overlooks the lake.

Rent a boat for half a day.

Not sure I could do a whole trip just in Grand Lake. Pretty town though.

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What restaurant?

This is week 1 of 2 week RV trip. I'll be working most of the week and wife+kids doing some other stuff.

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I believe it was Huntington House at Grand Lake Lodge.

Get timed entry permits in advance for RMNP.

Drive the one way Fall River Road if open, vehicle length restrictions. Might open end of June of first of July. If you are in RV, there are open top tour truck operators.

Whoop Delecto said:

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Get timed entry permits in advance for RMNP.

Drive the one way Fall River Road if open, vehicle length restrictions. Might open end of June of first of July. If you are in RV, there are open top tour truck operators.

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We did it in a rental vehicle. I can't imagine driving an RV over the pass in RMNP!!

Vehicle limit for the road is 25 ft or shorter. Many rv owners have tow vehicle, if not then I suggested a tour operator

Our RV is a travel trailer. Not a motorhome.

My tow vehicle should be able to do this easily.

Yep, saw some in that area.

Lots of really great hikes in the area

The < 5 miles that I have on my list are:
Adams Falls - (Grand Lake) 0.8 mi
Coyote Valley (Grand Lake) 1 mi. Easy
Poudre Pass (Grand Lake) - short hike at end of Long Draw rd

Also fly fishing

Never been to Grand Lake, however the wife and I did stay in Estes Park 3 nights middle of June this past summer.

I'm only posting for 2 reasons:

1) We did a horseback riding trip - 3 hrs I believe - and found it to be pretty uncomfortable after the first hour. I'm 63 and in pretty good shape, but could barely walk for the first couple of minutes after getting off the horses. I would not recommend for a 2 and 4 yrs old - not sure how you would even do that. If you do, make it a shorter ride.

2) As someone else mentioned, if you plan to visit RMNP, make sure you make your reservations well in advance. Hadn't been to a NP in a while so didn't know this was even required at the busier parks.