Dispersed camping areas near Grand Lake, Colorado sit at elevations ranging from 8,300 to 9,500 feet, with summer temperatures averaging 70-80°F during the day and dropping to 40-50°F at night. The surrounding Arapaho National Forest offers numerous campsites with varying levels of amenities, from primitive sites with vault toilets to full-service campgrounds with modern facilities.
What to do
Fishing at local reservoirs: Lake Granby and Shadow Mountain Lake provide excellent trout and salmon fishing opportunities. Sunset Point Campground offers convenient lake access. "We 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," notes a camper at Sunset Point.
Wildlife viewing: The area hosts diverse wildlife including moose, fox, and bear. "We had a fox visit our site as well as a marmot & many other creatures. A great experience," reports a reviewer at Green Ridge Campground.
Horseback riding: Western-style trail rides available for all experience levels. "Horseback riding was fun, staff was friendly. Gumdrop is my buddy," mentions a visitor at Winding River Resort, referring to one of the trail horses.
Hiking on wilderness trails: Numerous trails connect directly to campgrounds. "We didn't have to take our car to trailheads - hiked nearly 20 miles of low traffic trails with the trailhead right across from my site," shares a camper from Green Ridge Campground.
What campers like
Moose sightings: Many campgrounds report regular moose encounters. "Moose have a tendency to wander through the campground toward the evening and the local elk herds like to eat with the horses," according to a reviewer at Winding River Resort.
Lake access: Several campgrounds offer direct water access. At Arapaho Bay Campground, "The views were incredible, and we pretty much had private lake access for our paddle board and kayak."
Winter camping options: Some sites remain open during winter months. "We stayed in the month of November of 2021. The road is okay to drive on, we took our car and tent camped," reports a visitor at Hermits Hollow Campground.
Glamping accommodations: Luxury safari tents and yurts available for those seeking comfort. "We stayed at site 40 on the Moraine loop. Big sites, big fire pits, clean facilities," notes a camper at Arapaho Bay, describing their glamping close to Grand Lake, Colorado experience.
What you should know
Fire restrictions: Regulations vary by season and location. "No campfires allowed when we were there. Only fuel fires that you can turn off," explains a Winding River Resort visitor during high fire danger periods.
Pine beetle impact: Many areas have lost trees to beetle infestations. At Stillwater Campground, "Trees are young, but the whole area has this problem. The beach is amazing our kiddo threw rocks and explored all day!"
Bear safety requirements: Bear boxes not available at all sites. "You ARE in bear country and there were no bear bins in the campground - be bear safe and bear smart, lock all of your food and toiletries inside your car at night," advises a camper from Willow Creek Campground.
Reservation timing: First-come, first-served sites fill quickly. "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," recommends a visitor to Willow Creek Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water activities: Shallow beach areas ideal for children. At Stillwater Campground, "The beach is amazing our kiddo threw rocks and explored all day!"
Animal encounters: Many campgrounds offer wildlife viewing opportunities. "Wildlfe is very abundant. Bear Lake and Fern Lake are amazing hikes for the fam," notes a visitor at Glacier Basin Campground.
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather changes rapidly. "We got hit with some crazy wind/rain but it passed fast," reports a camper from Sunset Point Campground, highlighting the need for proper gear.
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. A visitor at Hermits Hollow mentions, "Nice, spaced out campsites. Lots of families with screaming children," indicating the family-friendly atmosphere.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Limited full-service sites available. "We were here for a week. The weather and views were absolutely amazing!" shares an RVer at Glacier Basin Campground.
Tight turns on access roads: Some routes challenging for larger rigs. "Be warned: 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 an Arapaho Bay visitor.
Off-season accessibility: Some campgrounds accessible year-round. "We got here September 29 and the RV park closes for the season Oct 1. We stayed two nights and were pleased with the services. Full hookups and lots of space at the lower numbered full hookup sites," notes a late-season visitor to Winding River Resort.
Glamping alternatives for RVers: Premium glamping options near Grand Lake provide RV-like amenities in natural settings. "They have an amazing pool! Bowling alley, arcade, restaurant, bars, they had live music, they have fishing, and dog parks," enthuses a visitor about their glamping experience at Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountain.
