Grand Mesa

Grand Mesa is Colorado's wonderland of water.  The lush plateau at 10,000 feet of elevation features thick forests, subalpine meadows and more than a hundred lakes.  There are a handful of developed campgrounds off the main roads and many more dispersed sites in the surrounding national forest.  The vast array of lakes make for a great multi-day excursion that can be complemented with nearby hiking and mountain biking, or even with a vineyard escape to Palisade.  

Waterdog Lake; Grand Mesa

The mesa top region is traversed by the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway (State Highway 65).  Water access ranges from roadside Cobbett Lake and Island Lake (featured below) to many secluded lakes only reachable by high-clearance or four-wheel-drive.  

Vicinity Map

Location Info: [key]

(Island Lake)

Scenery: 4
Shoreline Interest: 2
Use: Low-moderate
Fee: $4 or as posted
Access: Gravel
Full elev = 10260
Rec info 
Weather 

Crested Butte Area

The Crested Butte Area has always been a top-tier destination for Colorado mountain adventures.  With only one paved road into town, Crested Butte is pleasantly isolated in Colorado's colorful central mountains.  As a ski town, it offers summertime resort lodging, much of which is pet friendly!  There is also a broad variety of beautiful camping sites scattered through the scenic valleys that radiate from town.  Either (or a combination of both) can make for a great mountain getaway.  

Lake Irwin

Emerald Lake

The area does not have the same density or expanse of lakes as Grand County or Grand Mesa, but what it lacks in water acreage it makes up for in scenery. The three lakes featured below all make for a great afternoon (or morning) to complement a half-day of mountain biking or hiking in the Crested Butte area.

Vicinity Map

Granby, Shadow Mountain & Grand Lakes

The Grand Lake/Granby area of Colorado is home to a collection of scenic mountain lakes that offer a wide variety of paddling experiences. Four of the lakes—Shadow Mountain, Granby, Willow Creek and Monarch—are within the Arapaho National Recreation area. Grand Lake can be accessed directly from the town of the same name.

Shadow Mountain Lake

The Arapaho National Recreation Area (ANRA) contains one of the best clusters of mountain lakes in Colorado.  The water acreage and shoreline miles contained within offer many paddling options.  With lodging in Grand Lake, Granby, and nearby Winter Park, as well as abundant camping in the surrounding Arapaho National Forest, the lakes of Grand County make a great summertime getaway within a couple hours of the Front Range cities.  

Vicinity Map

[Click for official recreation area map]

Lake Dillon

Passed by thousands of motorists every day, Lake Dillon is a large playground for a variety of water activities on the summer months.  It has wide open waters that are popular for sailing and motorized boating, as well as multiple islands, channels and coves that are ideal for hand-powered crafts.  

Peak 1 and Tenmile Peak reflected on Lake Dillon

The western extents of Dillon Reservoir are a good place to start exploring the lake by paddleboard.  The Heaton Bay, Giberson Bay and Frisco Bay regions of the lake all have complex, interesting shorelines with islands and coves.  

Dillon Reservoir

Vicinity Map

    Location info [key]:

    Scenery: 4
    Shoreline Interest: 4
    Use: Moderate-High
    Fee: Varies
    Access: Paved
    Full elev = 9017; Best near full
    Water level/rec info

    Weather