This was the first of many camping trips to the Grand Lake area of Colorado, and getting there was half the fun. We crossed the Continental Divide and saw some of the most spectacular scenery in Colorado, including a moose that was just hanging out alongside the highway. The drive took us up and over Berthoud Pass and through the ski village of Winter Park. Grand Lake is an ideal summer destination and offers a wide range of activities including hiking, camping, and boating. At the end of the day, relax along the waters edge and enjoy watching the sail boats drift by and the sunlight sparkle off the pristine mountain water. Grand Lake marks the western entrance to beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park, making this area the perfect destination for summer outdoor activities, as well as a base for day trips into the Park to view wildlife such as moose, elk, deer, and big horn sheep.
There are several RV campgrounds in the area, both private and State run. One of our favorites is Stillwater campground which sits directly on scenic Lake Grandby, just 7 miles south of the village of Grand Lake. This campground offers hot showers and many sites with both water and electrical hookups. There are no sewer hookups at the sites, but there is a dumpstation conveniently located at the campground. Camping amenities and groceries are just a short 10 minute drive into Grand Lake.
The views at Stillwater Campground are unbeatable as many sites are close to the water's edge or up on a hill that overlooks the campground and lake surrounded by the colorful Rocky Mountains. Visitors should be aware, though, that this area of Colorado has been one of the hardest hit by the devastating effects of the bark pine beetle. Vast areas of the surrounding forest are dead and dieing, leaving the hillsides covered with rusty colored pine trees. Many campgrounds, including Stillwater, have had to cut down most of their pine trees. Perhaps the only benefit this has provided is that there are more unhindered views of Lake Grandby, but at the same time, shaded camp sites can be hard to come by.
The town of Grand Lake still retains the charm of the Old West with its boardwalks and friendly atmosphere. Curio shops, restaurants, and ice cream parlors line both sides of the main street. Visitors have many entertainment options for the whole family including a community theater, boat rentals, swimming, putt-putt golf, bike and canoe rentals, and horseback riding.
If You Go:
Stillwater campground is approximately 100 miles Northwest from Denver, which is a scenic drive over the Continental Divide that will take approximately 2 to 2.5 hours. Roads are paved and well maintained and will accommodate even the largest RVs. Note, however, there are steep grades and hairpin switchbacks that require extra driving care.
Reservations are recommended, and they can be made through the recreation.gov website which also features an interactive campground map. Camping fees include: $19 (basic campsite), $22 (campsite near lakeshore), $24 (campsites with water and electrical hookups), $36 (double site). This campground is within a National Recreation Area, which has an entry fee in addition to the camping fees. Passes can be purchased on site and are one day ($5), three day ($10), week ($15) or annual ($30).
There are several RV campgrounds in the area, both private and State run. One of our favorites is Stillwater campground which sits directly on scenic Lake Grandby, just 7 miles south of the village of Grand Lake. This campground offers hot showers and many sites with both water and electrical hookups. There are no sewer hookups at the sites, but there is a dumpstation conveniently located at the campground. Camping amenities and groceries are just a short 10 minute drive into Grand Lake.
The views at Stillwater Campground are unbeatable as many sites are close to the water's edge or up on a hill that overlooks the campground and lake surrounded by the colorful Rocky Mountains. Visitors should be aware, though, that this area of Colorado has been one of the hardest hit by the devastating effects of the bark pine beetle. Vast areas of the surrounding forest are dead and dieing, leaving the hillsides covered with rusty colored pine trees. Many campgrounds, including Stillwater, have had to cut down most of their pine trees. Perhaps the only benefit this has provided is that there are more unhindered views of Lake Grandby, but at the same time, shaded camp sites can be hard to come by.The town of Grand Lake still retains the charm of the Old West with its boardwalks and friendly atmosphere. Curio shops, restaurants, and ice cream parlors line both sides of the main street. Visitors have many entertainment options for the whole family including a community theater, boat rentals, swimming, putt-putt golf, bike and canoe rentals, and horseback riding.
If You Go:
Stillwater campground is approximately 100 miles Northwest from Denver, which is a scenic drive over the Continental Divide that will take approximately 2 to 2.5 hours. Roads are paved and well maintained and will accommodate even the largest RVs. Note, however, there are steep grades and hairpin switchbacks that require extra driving care.
Reservations are recommended, and they can be made through the recreation.gov website which also features an interactive campground map. Camping fees include: $19 (basic campsite), $22 (campsite near lakeshore), $24 (campsites with water and electrical hookups), $36 (double site). This campground is within a National Recreation Area, which has an entry fee in addition to the camping fees. Passes can be purchased on site and are one day ($5), three day ($10), week ($15) or annual ($30).
