Camping near Granby, Colorado offers access to multiple alpine lakes and national forest trails at elevations between 8,000-9,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 45-80°F with afternoon thunderstorms common in July and August. Many campgrounds in this area have been affected by pine beetle infestations, resulting in fewer shade trees than visitors might expect.
What to do
Fishing at Willow Creek Reservoir: Willow Creek Campground provides direct access to a reservoir stocked with rainbow and brown trout. "Great fishing on Willow Creek Reservoir—Rainbows, Browns, and some salmon. Boats with motors are prohibited, so there are many canoes, kayaks, and other non motorized activities on the lake," notes one camper at Willow Creek Campground.
Hike from your site: Green Ridge Campground connects directly to Rocky Mountain National Park trails. "I didn't have to take my car to trailheads - hiked nearly 20 miles of low traffic trails with the trailhead right across from my site," reports a visitor to Green Ridge Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The Granby area offers frequent wildlife encounters right in campgrounds. "We had many moose sightings in the campground during our stay," shares a visitor at Arapaho Bay Campground, while another mentions, "Lots of elk, mule deer, foxes, some bears, and many other species of wildlife" at Willow Creek.
What campers like
Natural swimming areas: Unlike developed pools, several campgrounds offer lake access for cooling off. "The lake was a 100 ft walk from our site and had a pebbly beach all to ourselves that was a great place to hangout for the afternoon. It made a super launching point for paddle boarding and canoeing," writes a camper at Sunset Point Campground.
Clean facilities: Many Granby-area campgrounds maintain high standards despite remote locations. "Bathrooms were very clean and safe. The lake was amazing and the sites are somewhat distance from others," notes a visitor at Stillwater Campground.
Quiet atmosphere: Campers frequently mention the peaceful environment. "The campground was nice and quiet, without much noise pollution from the nearby road. The campers were all considerate with their noise levels, so it was a very peaceful stay," reports a visitor to Willow Creek Campground.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Most popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "The first come first serve sites fill up by early Thursday. Get there earlier in the week and you will have a better chance of getting a spot," advises a visitor to Arapaho Bay Campground.
Bear precautions required: Bear activity is common throughout the Granby area. "No bear lockers and only vault toilets, nowhere to wash hands so bring hand sanitizer... They're not kidding when they say bear country- had bears at our site and around the campground 2 out of 3 nights!" warns an Arapaho Bay camper.
Weather variations: Granby sits at high elevation with rapidly changing conditions. "We stayed 2 nights in May 2018. The weather and views were absolutely amazing," notes one camper, while another mentions, "Two feet of snow! This was on the summer solstice," from Green Ridge Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Activities beyond hiking: Family-friendly campgrounds offer additional recreation. At Snow Mountain Ranch YMCA, "The Y offers a variety of activities included in the camp fee and publishes a weekly schedule of activities. We enjoyed the Y's hiking trails, excellent disc golf course, and introduction to pickleball. They have lots of activities for kids."
Kid-friendly water features: Look for campsites with safe shorelines for children. "The beach is amazing our kiddo threw rocks and explored all day!" shares an enthusiastic parent about Stillwater Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children often enjoy animal sightings from a safe distance. "Loved camping here. There was plenty of shade and camping lots seemed large. We had many moose sightings in the campground during our stay," notes a camper at Arapaho Bay.
Tips from RVers
Road conditions: Some access roads present challenges for larger vehicles. "Road in across the dam is ROUGH to the point of hazard, and lacks guardrail. Significant safety concern for others or those with large or unwieldy vehicles," cautions a visitor at Arapaho Bay Campground.
RV length limitations: Research size restrictions before booking. "There is a limit of 35 feet for RV/Trailer length," notes a camper at Glacier Basin Campground, while others mention that many sites in the area can accommodate larger rigs but access may be difficult.
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited in national forest campgrounds. "We only stayed 2 nights when snow was forecasted and we wanted to be plugged into power to run our heat. There is a dump station but it was closed due to freezing temps when we left," reports an RVer at Stillwater Campground.
