Grand Lake cabins and nearby ski towns
 

Hi,

My wife and I are planning to take our three little girls (5, 3, and 6 months) to Rocky Mtn NP this year. We plan to stay in Grand Lake for 4-5 days and tent camp in or around the park for 2 days. We would also like to take a day trip (or possibly an overnight trip) to a nearby ski town, maybe something with a hot springs.

Can anyone make suggestions or recommendations for the following:

1) cabins and/or lodges in Grand Lake
2) tent camp sites either in Rocky Mtn NP or in nearby areas
3) day/overnight trips to nearby skit towns or areas with Hot Springs that would be a good spot for little kids

Thanks for your help in advance!

Mapnerd,

We love Grand Lake and regularly stay in lodges there. Our two favorites are The Grand Lake Lodge and The Lemmon Lodge.

The Grand Lake Lodge www.grandlakelodge.com/ consists of a variety of different sized cabins set among Ponderosa Pines on a Hill above the town. The cabins are very rustic (no phones, no TV) and are reminiscent of being at summer camp (but with real beds, etc). Adjacent to the cabins is the actual lodge which features a good restaurant, bar/lounge, gift shop, huge fireplace with lots of seating around it and the grand terrace. The grand terrace is a large front porch featuring porch swings and a spectacular view of Grand lake below (both the town and Shadow Mountain Lake). The GLL also features an outdoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, game room (ping-pong, pool, etc.) and easy access to hiking trails, horse-back riding, boating and fishing. In short, there's something for everybody and you would have plenty of common areas to meet in and relax. Pros: Beautiful lodge with lots of amenities & activities; spectacular view of lake from lodge; restaurant & lounge on premises; live music at night. Cons: rustic rooms (may not be a con for some); although town is directly below, it's about a ten minute hike for some--only three minutes by car to town, though.

The Lemmon Lodge www.lemmonlodge.com/ on the other hand, is simply a group of cabins at the end of town near the lake. Not quite as rustic as the GLL, the LL cabins offer a variety of amenities to suit individual needs. Some have TVs, microwaves, toaster ovens--or even full kitchens--and many are equipped with outdoor BBQs (coal variety). Most have lake or creek views and all are no more than a minute's walk to the lake and one or two minutes walk to town. Pros: Less rustic with some cabins offering cooking facilities; easy walk to lake/town; two minute walk to boat marina; good proximity to restaurants, shopping, etc. Cons: No central lodge or meeting area; no pool, jacuzzi, etc.; no game room or kids play area; would have to arrange own horseback riding, boating, etc.

As for camping/tenting sites you literally won't be able to throw a rock in the area without hitting one. That said, however, many of them take reservations and you may want to book ASAP. I would suggest contacting the Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce for further information on individual sites, locations, availability, etc.

Good Luck!

AL ((d))

Topping for mapnerd.

Second the recommendation of Grand Lake Lodge. Wonderful lunch and dinner meals with remarkable views of the lake from the porch. Try Pancho and Lefty's for good Mexican food in town.
It's fun to rent a motor boat and go out on the lakes for a couple of hours. Avoid late afternoons, as that's when rain can come in.
Closest ski town is Winter Park. Closest hot springs is Hot Sulphur Springs, a pool/spa in a very simple little town. If you feel like driving a bit further, Steamboat Springs is a cuter ski town. The hot springs there are a bit of a hike, as I recall, and probably not good for the little ones, though.
Snow Mountain Ranch isn't far from Grand Lake, and has everything for a family vacation: cabins, hiking, horses, biking, indoor pool, indoor climbing wall, cafeteria/grill, indoor gym, etc.
You will love Colorado!

Oops! Forgot to address the ski town and hot springs questions. MaureenB's info is right on though.

AL ((d))

What time of year are you going? You may want to check out www.vrbo.com for Granby and Grand Lake. Some have reasonable rates for summer, like #25949 and #10139. $100-115 for 5 or 6 people with a kitchen.

Sue

Oops--I meant #29729 rather than #10139.

Sue

We've received some good feedback and are planning to stay in a Grand Lake Lodge cabin in late June. The kids would like to do some swimming and a hot springs sounds like it might be fun. Someone else suggested Hot Sulphur Springs.

I'm wondering if anyone else has a recommendation for a day trip from Grand Lake where we can swim (with little kids) in a Hot Springs and maybe do something else fun. Any thoughts??

Thanks