Lakes & Rivers

As the home of the headwaters of the Colorado River and to Colorado's largest natural lake, no other place can offer more splash-worthy adventures than Grand County, Colorado.

Grand County has the most accessible water in Colorado; think of it as your own personal playground. Swimming, boating, fishing—the list of ways to enjoy our waterways is endless. Not only does Grand County water serve as a source of entertainment and recreation, it is the No. 1 source of water across the Front Range. Learn more about our lakes and rivers below.

Please recreate responsibly in Grand County and know before you go: There is potential for aquatic bacterial blooms in the waters due to the wildfires in recent years. Educate yourself on safe water access before entering any lakes or rivers here.

Grand Lake

Access: Town of Grand Lake

With over 4 miles of shoreline, Grand Lake is the largest and deepest natural body of water in Colorado. Learn more about things to do on and near Grand Lake.

Shadow Mountain Lake

Access: Town of Grand Lake

Shadow Mountain Lake is a high-elevation reservoir near the headwaters of the Colorado River. Learn more about the lake, explore things to do on and near the lake.

Lake Granby

Access: Town of Granby

Lake Granby is the third-largest body of water in Colorado and was created in 1950 by the the Granby Dam and the Colorado-Big Thompson Project. Learn more about things to do on or near the lake.

Williams Fork River

Access: Town of Parshall & Hot Sulphur Springs

The Williams Fork River, originating from the western slope of the Continental Divide, is a tributary to the Colorado River. Learn more about things to do on and near the Williams Fork River.

Wolford Mountain Reservoir

Access: North of Kremmling on HWY 40

Located on Muddy Creek, Wolford Mountain Reservoir offers plenty of recreation on the water and in the surrounding wilderness. Learn more about Wolford Mountain Reservoir.

Green Mountain Reservoir

Access: South of Kremmling on HWY 9

Green Mountain Reservoir serves the Western Slope community by providing water from the Colorado River, but it is also the perfect location to enjoy the great outdoors. Explore things to do on the water and near the reservoir.

Colorado River

Access: Throughout RMNP & Grand County

The 1,450-mile Colorado River passes through parts of seven U.S. and two Mexican states, and it all starts right here in Grand County. Learn more about the Colorado River Headwaters.

Fraser River

Access: Winter Park & Fraser

The Fraser River is the first main tributary river to the Colorado River, and it offers Gold Medal waters for fisherman. Learn more about the Fraser River, including where to go fly-fishing, hiking and more.

Blue River

Access: South of Kremmling Along HWY 9

The Blue River is a Gold Medal fishery, and one of the most scenic rivers in Colorado. Learn more about this spur from the Colorado River, and explore things to do on the waterway.

Water Access / Flow

It All Starts Here

Sixty percent of the water in Grand County is diverted elsewhere, and there are plans underway, mostly from Front Range communities, to divert as much as 80 percent of the county's headwaters in the near future. Learn more about where Grand County's water ends up.