{"id":4238,"date":"2023-11-02T22:36:57","date_gmt":"2023-11-02T22:36:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visitgrandcoun.wpengine.com\/?p=4238"},"modified":"2025-10-31T09:52:43","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T15:52:43","slug":"5-day-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/blog\/5-day-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"Itinerary: Five-Day Colorado Summer Trip"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<p>There may still be traces of snow on the highest peaks of the surrounding Rocky Mountains, but in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/things-to-do\/summer\/\">summer<\/a>, Grand County&#8217;s meadows are in full bloom, the trails are cleared and the lakes are sparkling. Just 67 miles from the Denver metropolitan area, Grand County has the perfect five-day summer getaway that can introduce you to the best of the Rockies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1067\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/MLP_GC_YMCARockies-20232576_websize.jpg\" alt=\"A woman is petting a horse.\" class=\"wp-image-4257\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/MLP_GC_YMCARockies-20232576_websize.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/MLP_GC_YMCARockies-20232576_websize-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/MLP_GC_YMCARockies-20232576_websize-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/MLP_GC_YMCARockies-20232576_websize-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/MLP_GC_YMCARockies-20232576_websize-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/MLP_GC_YMCARockies-20232576_websize-1290x860.jpg 1290w, https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/MLP_GC_YMCARockies-20232576_websize-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/MLP_GC_YMCARockies-20232576_websize-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Five-Day Summer Trip in Grand County<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Day 1: Arrival at Altitude<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019ve arrived from the lowlands, be smart and take a day to acclimate while getting an introduction to the area.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Take a drive on the <a href=\"\/explore\/scenic-byways-and-drives\/colorado-river-headwaters-scenic-byway\/\">Colorado Headwaters Scenic and Historic Byway<\/a>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"line-height: 1.5em;\">Begin on U.S. Highway 34 in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/grand-lake\/\">Grand Lake<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"line-height: 1.5em;\">Follow the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/places-to-go\/lakes-rivers\/colorado-river\/\">Colorado River<\/a> south for 80 miles, through the towns of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/granby\/\">Granby<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/hot-sulphur-springs\/\">Hot Sulphur Springs<\/a>, Parshall and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/kremmling\/\">Kremmling<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"line-height: 1.5em;\">Along the way, you&#8217;ll get a preview of the fun to come, passing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/places-to-go\/lakes-rivers\/the-grand-lake\">Grand Lake<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/places-to-go\/lakes-rivers\/shadow-mountain-lake\/\">Shadow Mountain Reservoir<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/places-to-go\/lakes-rivers\/lake-granby\/\">Lake Granby<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"line-height: 1.5em;\">End with a spectacular view of the rugged Upper <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/gore-canyon\">Gore Canyon<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Relax\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Head to <span style=\"line-height: 1.5em;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/vendors\/hot-sulphur-springs-resort\/\">Hot Sulphur Springs Resort<\/a> to kick back with a relaxing soak in the healing waters.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"line-height: 1.5em;\">For dinner, choose from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/plan-my-visit\/dining\/\">local restaurants<\/a> offering everything from casual family style to upscale resort dining.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"798\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/kremmling-headwaters-scenic-byway-1.jpeg\" alt=\"A sign reads &quot;Scenic Byway Colo River Headwaters&quot; with green plants and mountains in the background.\" class=\"wp-image-5350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/kremmling-headwaters-scenic-byway-1.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/kremmling-headwaters-scenic-byway-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/kremmling-headwaters-scenic-byway-1-1024x681.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/kremmling-headwaters-scenic-byway-1-768x511.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/kremmling-headwaters-scenic-byway-1-800x532.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/kremmling-headwaters-scenic-byway-1-600x399.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/kremmling-headwaters-scenic-byway-1-602x400.jpeg 602w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Day 2: The Western Experience<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>First settled in the 1880s as a ranching, farming and lumber center, Grand County has maintained many of its original buildings and sites as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/places-to-go\/history-museums\/\">museums<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Stop into the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/places-to-go\/history-museums\/pioneer-village-museum\/\">Pioneer Village Museum<\/a> in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/hot-sulphur-springs\/\">Hot Sulphur Springs<\/a> to see the town&#8217;s original courthouse, a blacksmith shop, a 150-year-old ranch house and several antique rail cars.&nbsp; Other local <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/places-to-go\/history-museums\/\">historical sites and museums<\/a> are open for visitors in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/fraser\/\">Fraser<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/grand-lake\/\">Grand Lake<\/a>, and Kremmling.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For a true hands-on Western experience, contact one of the local outfitters who offer half- and full-day <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/things-to-do\/horseback-riding\/\">horseback rides<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>On Saturdays during the summer, the traditional cowboy skills of roping, barrel racing and bull riding come alive at local <a href=\"\/play\/western-activities\/rodeo\/\">rodeos<\/a> like Fraser\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/vendors\/high-country-stampede-rodeo\/\">High-Country Stampede Rodeo<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/granby\/\">Granby<\/a>\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/vendors\/flying-heels-rodeo\/\">Flying Heels Arena<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Day 3: Outdoor Adventure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ve got some choices to make! More than 600 miles of trails for hikers and bikers of all abilities and interests. Think about:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" id=\"block-1f7826f4-1c64-4a7f-9e60-96fd56bf287e\">\n<li>Easy hike to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/places-to-go\/mountains-vistas\/adams-falls\/\">Adams Falls<\/a> near Grand Lake<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Longer hike into the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/places-to-go\/explore-wilderness-areas-trails\/indian-peaks-wilderness\/\">Indian Peaks Wilderness<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>High-adrenaline rush of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/things-to-do\/mountain-biking\/\">biking<\/a> the slopes of one of the ski resorts Both <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/vendors\/granby-ranch\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Granby Ranch<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/vendors\/trestle-bike-park\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Winter Park Resort<\/a> have downhill bikes parks, miles of trails and biking features to test your skills and sense of adventure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Day 4: Rocky Mountain Memories<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Rockies are what it\u2019s all about up here. Although <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/rocky-mountain-national-park\/\">Rocky Mountain National Park<\/a> is one of the top 10 most visited national parks in the United States, its western side is less crowded and much quieter. <br><em>Rocky Mountain National Park requires timed entry reservations during busy seasons. <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.recreation.gov\/timed-entry\/10086910\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Make your reservation at Recreation.gov<\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Just a short drive from the town of Grand Lake, enter the park at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/places-to-go\/parks-national-forests\/kawuneeche-valley\/\">Kawuneeche Visitor Center<\/a> for an unforgettable drive through pine meadows, up rugged slopes and out into the open alpine highlands.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Uncover hiking trails, picnic areas, scenic overlooks and wildlife like moose and elk. Explore spots like the Holzworth Historic Site, where you can spot cabins, a taxidermist&#8217;s workshop and tent spots at the 1920s guest ranch.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>End the day back in town with a stroll along the boardwalk for some last-minute shopping and a leisurely lunch or dinner at a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/articles\/best-restaurants-in-grand-lake\/\">restaurant in Grand Lake<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"801\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/rmnp-holzworth-historic-site.jpeg\" alt=\"A cabin at the Holzworth Historic Site in Rocky Mountain National Park\" class=\"wp-image-5351\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/rmnp-holzworth-historic-site.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/rmnp-holzworth-historic-site-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/rmnp-holzworth-historic-site-1024x684.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/rmnp-holzworth-historic-site-768x513.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/rmnp-holzworth-historic-site-800x534.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/rmnp-holzworth-historic-site-600x401.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/rmnp-holzworth-historic-site-599x400.jpeg 599w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Day 5: Make a Splash<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Grand County offers the best in both <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/things-to-do\/fishing\/\">stream and lake fishing<\/a>, set among some of the most spectacular scenery around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Williams Fork and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/places-to-go\/lakes-rivers\/wolford-mountain-reservoir\/\">Wolford Mountain Reservoirs<\/a> and the five <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/places-to-go\/lakes-rivers\/\">lakes and reservoirs<\/a> that make up the Arapaho National Recreation Area offer outstanding fishing for rainbow, mackinaw, brown, cutthroat and brook trout as well as kokanee salmon.&nbsp;<em>Learn about entry passes for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.recreation.gov\/activitypass\/ed5a5e18-64c9-11eb-b2a1-ce9547b3d27e\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arapaho National Recreation Area<\/a>.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The 20-mile stretch of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/places-to-go\/lakes-rivers\/colorado-river\/\">Colorado River<\/a> downstream from Granby have been designated a Gold Medal trout stream; the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/places-to-go\/lakes-rivers\/fraser-river\/\">Fraser River<\/a> and other smaller streams offer equally superb fly fishing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&nbsp;All of this water also makes for some great <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/things-to-do\/water-sports\/\">boating<\/a>. Launch your party boat or windsurfer in one of the lakes, hook up with one of several local guides to experience the thrill of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/things-to-do\/kayaking-rafting\/\">Colorado River whitewater<\/a>, or bring a kayak or canoe and design your own tour.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"798\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/grand-lake-kayaking.jpeg\" alt=\"Three people kayak across Grand Lake with snowcapped mountains and golden trees in the background.\" class=\"wp-image-5353\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/grand-lake-kayaking.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/grand-lake-kayaking-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/grand-lake-kayaking-1024x681.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/grand-lake-kayaking-768x511.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/grand-lake-kayaking-800x532.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/grand-lake-kayaking-600x399.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/grand-lake-kayaking-602x400.jpeg 602w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">More Grand County Trip Ideas<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/articles\/weekend-trips-from-denver-colorado\/\">Only have two days? Check out these weekend trips from Denver<\/a>. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/articles\/lake-granby-camping\/\">Find the best spots to set up a tent with Lake Granby camping<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/articles\/cant-miss-summer-events-in-grand-county\/\">See can&#8217;t miss summer events in Grand County<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/rocky-mountain-summer\/\">Get more Rocky Mountain summer trip inspiration<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Taking a five-day trip to Colorado? Here&#8217;s a summer itinerary in Grand County, from waterfall hikes to horseback riding to boating and national park trips.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":4257,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4238","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4238","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4238"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4238\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10455,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4238\/revisions\/10455"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4257"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4238"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4238"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitgrandcounty.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4238"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}