Great Drives - Colorado

As the highway descends to cross the Colorado River at the 8,884 foot level, a half-mile trail leads to the ranch. It was the homestead of John Holzwarth who settled here in 1917. It is now part of the national park and has been preserved as a unique historic site.

Colorado River Trail

Hikers will enjoy this walk, with the trailhead in the park, eight miles north of the town of Grand Lake. There is a parking lot (at the Timber Lake Trailhead), and the Colorado River Trail begins across the highway. The trail leads two miles to Shipler Park and another two miles to the site of a former ghost town, Lulu City. All of the buildings were removed when the park was created. The Timber Lake Trail leads 5.5 miles through the forest, to a small picturesque lake.

Just before reaching the park boundary, there is another visitor center, and more park trails may be reached by taking a sideroad just south of the boundary (Road #278).

Middle Park Lakes

Now we're inlake country, as the highway passes near Shadow Mountain Lake, Grand Lake, and Lake Granby. The town of Grand Lake is a popular recreation town, with excellent fishing prospects. This is a small alpine village with 400 residents, and a quaint main street with log buildings and boardwalks. It is situated on the largest natural lake in Colorado, with two national forests (Arapaho & Routt), and the national park nearby. During the summer month visitors come from both directions. During the winter -- when Trail Ridge Road is closed -- Grand Lake is the end of the line for travelers driving up Highway 34 from Granby. Then, snowmobiles take over the streets and the town has a relaxed ambience. Contrast this to any summer day when more than 3,000 visitors invade this little rustic town.

More about fishing: Grand Lake is famous for kokanee, rainbow trout and especially the mackinaw which weigh up to and over 20 pounds. Lake Granby, the large reservoir near the town, also hosts brown trout. Shadow Mountain Lake, another reservoir, has rainbow, kokanee and mackinaw.

Arapaho National Recreation Area

South of Grand Lake lies this fine natural area, containing several small lakes and excellent camping opportunities. County Road 66 leads from Hwy. 34 to Green Ridge Campground (one mile off the highway). The campsites are on Shadow Mountain Lake. Stillwater Campground is another, three miles south on the shore of Lake Granby. County Road 66 also comes out to the highway a mile below Stillwater Lake Campground. Drive 10 miles to Arapaho Bay Campground. This is a large campground, suitable for tents and RVs. Another recreation area campground is found by taking County Road 40, eight miles south of Grand Lake. The Willow Creek campsites are located three miles from the highway on a reservoir.

14 miles south of Grand Lake, Hwy. 34 meets Highway 40 and the town of Granby lies one mile south of the junction.

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