Lake Granby Camping: Where to Sleep Under the Stars

Wake up, unzip the tent door and step outside to sparkling waterfront views from your Lake Granby campsite. Spend your days tooling around on a motorboat rental from the Beacon Landing Marina or dropping a line and catching cutthroat trout on the shore. Below, check out some stunning Lake Granby campgrounds to find the perfect homebase for your Grand County adventure. All campers must purchase an Arapaho National Recreation Area Pass online or at the in-person fee station, in addition to their camping reservation. Check for seasonal closures.

A family sits at a picnic table at a Lake Granby campsite, looking at a map with an RV parked in the background

Lake Granby Camping

Know Before You Go: Before building a campfire, first check if fires are allowed at your campsite. Keep it small and supervised, and ensure embers are cool to the touch before leaving. Purchase local firewood to prevent invasive-species introduction. If smoking, be careful to properly dispose of butts to avoid igniting a wildfire.

See more tips to roam responsibly in Grand County.

Stillwater Campground

At the northern shore of Lake Granby, Stillwater Campground rests at 8,300 feet, perching you in the perfect place for some Rocky Mountain stargazing. One of the largest grounds in the area, it features 129 sites with different spots accommodating tents, trailers and RVs with electric hookups. Each has its own picnic table, campfire ring and tent pad, and rests within walking distance to flush and vault toilets, showers, drinking water and a bear-safe dumpster. Interested in trying some fishing while you’re close to Colorado’s third-largest lake? Get in touch with local fishing charter Fishing with Bernie right next door and let their guides take you out to the best spots — with all the equipment taken care of.

Tip: During the summer in mountain towns, showers occur almost every afternoon, so bring along a rain jacket and head to a Granby restaurant while you wait out the weather. Don’t worry, it usually subsides before sunset.

Reserve a Site

A motor boat moves on Lake Granby, with an American flag at the bow. Mountains and trees can be seen along the shoreline

Sunset Point Campground

Sunset Point Campground is a first-come-first-served National Forest Service campground on the west side of Lake Granby. Roll up to one of 25 shady, non-electric sites that come with a tent pad, fire grate and picnic table. Bring the boat along and launch on the boat ramp right into Lake Granby (see boat inspection and decontamination requirements). The site also has clean restrooms, trash service and drinking water. Aptly named, the best views at Sunset Point Campground are when evening rolls around and the sky reflects deep pink and orange on the waves. Snuggle up on a blanket by the shore or hop on a kayak to paddle around on the water. This campsite is the closest you’ll get to downtown Granby without sacrificing the lakefront views.

Tip: If you’re a golfer, head 20 minutes down the road to Granby Ranch Golf Course, where you can gaze at craggy mountain views from the green.

Arapaho Bay Campground

The Arapaho Bay Campground is a National Forest Service space that features three loops of clean campsites, including wheelchair-accessible spots. When the sun goes down, roast some marshmallows in the campfire ring and play some rummy at the picnic table. Your spot comes with a designated tent pad, and a short walk away you can snag drinking water from the spigot, dispose of trash in bear-safe garbage bins and use the vault toilets to do your business. If you’re looking to camp as close to the mountains as possible, this spot on the eastern edge of Lake Granby is the place to go. Challenge yourself to a steep, out-and-back hike up the Roaring Fork trail. Popular among backpackers, the 13-mile trek features panoramic peak views and ends at Stone Lake, where you’ll find rugged, backcountry camping in the Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Tip: For a little extra shade, bring a canopy along — this site does not have tree coverage.

Reserve a Site

A motor boat sits on Lake Granby with a campsite and mountains in the background

Cutthroat Bay Group Campground

Planning a celebration or gathering and need a larger campsite? Cutthroat Bay Group Campground offers two wheelchair-accessible campsites that accommodate up to 30 people each — so your next family reunion is covered. Each site is equipped with a picnic shelter, tables, a campfire ring and 12 tent pads, and it’s all within walking distance to vault toilets and drinking water. But the best part is the on-site activities. Play a few matches on the volleyball court, challenge your friends at the horseshoe pit or just splash around by the water. In the evening, gather ‘round and swap stories by a crackling campfire.

Tip: Need help planning an event in Grand County or finding local vendors? Check out these resources.

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Three children sitting on a bench overlooking Lake Granby facing away from the camera, with scenic hills in the background.

Arapaho Valley Ranch

More in the mood for glamping by the water? Check out Arapaho Valley Ranch, just down the road from Lake Granby. Rest up in your canvas tent on a queen-size bed (with cots available for additional guests), flip burgers on the grill on your private deck or just sit out and enjoy the views of the mountains reflecting on Little Indian Lake. In the lodge, grab a seat and order a mule at the Red Dog Saloon, Colorado’s smallest bar, ringing in at 80 square feet. Play a few rounds of pool or just cozy up by the stone fireplace on cool evenings.

Tip: If you’re planning a weekend getaway in Grand County, consider extending your stay a few days — popular spots like Rocky Mountain National Park and Trestle Bike Park are much less likely to have crowds on weekdays.

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More Camping in Granby

A short drive from Lake Granby, you can find plenty of other fun and family-friendly camping opportunities. At Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountains, choose a classic tent campsite or opt for one of their funky airstream trailers. In the summer you can even try a Conestoga wagon to feel like a real Gold Rush pioneer. Splash around in the pool, try your hand at gem mining or cheer on your friends at the bowling alley. Meanwhile, Snow Mountain Ranch - YMCA of the Rockies is another stunning camp spot with unique lodging like yurts and rustic cabins. Nearby, you can get in some archery target practice, perfect your toss the disc golf course and try horseback riding right on the ranch.

Get More Grand County Trip Inspiration

Looking for more inspiration for your next trip to Grand County? Check out these resources: