7 Fall Activities and Things to Do in Grand County
As much as we love summer, many of us love the fall a little bit more. In the autumn, there is a certain magic in the air — aspens and willows turn brilliant colors (seemingly overnight), and our wildlife is more visible, as they actively gear up for a snowy winter. Best of all, all of our favorite activities and things to do — mountain biking, hiking, golfing, hot springing and more — can still be enjoyed, just with a very different feel. Join us for the season change with these easy and fun fall activities and things to do.
1. Explore Rocky Mountain National Park
In 2021, the National Parks Service celebrates its 105th anniversary. Come celebrate in our very own beloved Rocky Mountain National Park, just west of Grand Lake – we even rounded up 100 reasons why we love the park! Explore RMNP and find your own reasons to love this national treasure.
2. Listen for Elk Bugling in the Park
Of course, one of those reasons we love the park is its abundant wildlife, and in terms of putting on a show, no other animal in the park rivals the bull elk in fall. September marks the height of rut season, and it is common in the Kawuneeche Valley to hear males bugling through the crisp mornings and tranquil evenings. It's a sound that will stay with you the rest of your life.
3. Single Track Mountain Biking at Winter Park
Beyond the park, there are plenty of exhilarating ways to enjoy the fall, especially at Winter Park Resort where the lifts stay open through September to provide access to the mountain's incredible array of biking trails. Buy a pass and try any of the resort's 30 mountain biking trails ranging from challenging freeride to easy-going cross-mountain terrain.
4. Witness the Glory of Fall Color
In mid-September, the aspen trees of Grand County begin to change colors — a spectrum that fades from emerald to lime to lemon to gold. The same can be said for the numerous cottonwoods that line the Colorado River from Lake Granby to Kremmling. Even the tundra gets in on the fall color act, with orange and red groundcover that proves you can be festively autumnal above treeline, too. Find out the best hot spots for fall color in Grand County with our special list.
5. Big Game Hunting Near Kremmling
Ask any hunter, and they will tell you that fall is their favorite season. In the Middle Park area surrounding Kremmling, that means big-game hunting season for elk, mule deer and pronghorn. Season dates are dependent upon the type of weaponry, so be sure to check with the Colorado Division of Parks & Wildlife for season dates and licensing info.
6. Have the Golf Links All to Yourself
What's better than a round of golf in the mountains? Why, a round of golf in the mountains during the fall, of course. Take a day off from work and head up to Grand County's golf courses and you'll likely find that you have the links all to yourself. Pole Creek Golf Course, Grand Elk Golf Course, Golf Granby Ranch and the Grand Lake Golf Club (which will soon celebrate its 100th anniversary) are all choice layouts offering ample challenges. Weekend tee times fill up faster, but are still abundant. Learn more about the Grand Links and all four courses in Grand County.
7. Unwind at the Hot Springs
OK, we'll admit that taking a dip in the thermal pools of Hot Sulphur Springs Resort is not exclusively a fall activity (we'll gladly go any day of the year). But there is something magical about soaking in the resort's perfectly warm mineral waters as the first chill of autumn sets in. Just note: due to extreme comfort and an unwillingness to exit the pools, you may experience an epic case of prune hands!