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.
read moreShadow 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.
read moreLake 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.
read moreWilliams 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.
read moreWolford 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.
read moreGreen 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.
read moreColorado 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.
read moreFraser 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.
read moreBlue 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.
read moreWater 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.
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