Let’s Go to The Mountains
Getting away to the Colorado mountains is one of the best aspects of living in Colorado.
Just a hop, skip, and jump away from Northern Colorado is Grand Lake Colorado, the perfect little mountain lake town. Grand Lake sits on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. During the summer months Grand Lake is accessible via Rocky Mountain National Park through Estes Park and driving over Trail Ridge Road. Traveling through the National Park is absolutely worth every minute.
Part of the experience of this mountain getaway is the drive over the continental divide on Trail Ridge Road. I would recommend making a day of it so you can stop along the way and enjoy the national park. There are multiple spots to stop, some of the stops can include a small day hike. The national park requires timed entry during the busier months so make sure to visit the national park site to reserve your entry time.
Once in Grand Lake I recommend staying at The Historic Grand Lake Lodge. The original lodge opened in 1920 to host guests visiting Rocky Mountain National Park. The lodge consists of multiple small cabins. The size and number of guests per cabin depends on which cabin you reserve.
The main lobby houses a social area, check in desk, bar and restaurant. Many guests gather to sit around the huge fireplace, play small board games, and have a drink. The main lodge is quaint and quite relaxing. There are swings hanging on the large covered front porch to enjoy. The front porch offers expansive, panoramic views of Grand Lake, the Rocky Mountains, and the town below.
The lodge offers an outdoor heated pool and hot tub with a large deck that has impeccable views. There are outdoor fire pits to gather around with comfy seating.
We rented a cabin that was divided into two sections, each side of the cabin fully functioned separately, but they have an interior door to open if you want to connect the rooms. The cabins are quaint, with comfy beds, and warm bedding, too snuggle under during the cold mountain nights. They truly feel like a little cabin. If you are looking for a mountain cabin experience this is the spot to stay. If you are looking for a 5star resort you may want to book a different type of lodging experience.
The grounds of The Grand Lake Lodge are nicely kept and blend in with the natural landscape. There are beautiful flowers planted around the resort and hanging baskets on the lodge full of colorful blossoms. The lodge is set on the side of the mountain and the cabins are spaced out on the mountain side. It is likely that you will be walking up and down the mountain side so dress accordingly with proper shoes. It is not a stiletto heels type of resort.
The weather is also representative of its location. The summer days will be warm and the evening will cool off. As soon as the sun drops behind the mountains for the evening, so do the temperatures. It is important to take layers and adjust accordingly throughout the day. It is also a good idea to be prepared for afternoon storms while in the mountains.
While visiting The Grand Lake Lodge take advantage of the mountain trials for hiking, and the beautiful mountain lake. In Grand Lake you can rent a motor boat, kayak’s, or a paddle board to enjoy a day on the lake. There are multiple shops, restaurants to visit, and some museums to learn about the history of the area. This is a great location for families, couples, or individuals that just want to get away from the business of the world.
Thank you for reading my Northern Colorado Lifestyle Blog
by Tamara Suppes,Northern Colorado Real Estate Agent
Northern Colorado Homes for Sale | Fort Collins Realtor with The Group Inc.
