We are in the eastern portion of Grand County just ten miles west of the continental divide. There are only eight small towns in the vast 1870 square miles that make up Grand County. The population density in 2019 was less than eight people per square mile. Twenty-three square miles of Grand County is water, with many picturesque waterfalls, over a hundred creeks, 80 lakes and reservoirs, and four rivers.
There are six wilderness areas in Grand County, Byers Peak Wilderness, Indian Peaks Wilderness, James Peak Wilderness, Never Summer Wilderness, Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness, and Vasquez Peak Wilderness. The Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest and the Medicine Bow - Routt National Forest makes up a large portion of Grand County giving wildlife plenty of space.
The Colorado Headwaters National Scenic Byway runs right through the center of Grand County following the river from its origin to Gore Canyon. Part of the Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow National Scenic Byway is in Grand County, it is the highest continuous paved road in America. There are several passes with expansive mountain views. Part of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, and Rocky Mountain National Park are also in Grand County.
We are on the North shore of Lake Granby, five miles south of Grand Lake and ten miles north of Granby on County Road 64. At an elevation of 8284’, Lake Granby is the third-largest body of water in Colorado with 40 miles of shoreline and 11.3 square miles of surface area. It is up to 221’ deep and is popular for sockeye salmon, lake trout, rainbow trout, and brown trout.
The Arapaho National Recreation Area surrounds Lake Granby and offers many beautiful places to hike or have a picnic around the lake, some within walking distance from North Shore Lodge. Lake Granby has several islands. Gull Island, Rainbow Island and Elephant Island are the closest. There is also Shelter Island, Harvey Island, Deer Island and other small unnamed islands.
Grand Lake Marina is on Grand Lake and Trail Ridge Marina is on Shadow Mountain Lake. Highland Marina and Indian Peaks Marina are on the west shore of Lake Granby and Beacon Landing Marina is on the north shore just a short walk from our lodge. There are grocery stores in Granby and Grand Lake. There are two restaurants just a mile from our lodge with many more in Grand Lake and Granby.
North Shore Lodge is just a two hour drive from Denver, Colorado. Take in the scenery at 11,315’ on Berthoud Pass as you enter Grand County or ride the train through Moffat Tunnel. Amtrak offers daily service to Granby, Colorado on the California Zephyr. Avalanche Car Rental will even deliver your rental to the Amtrak station located just 11 miles from North Shore Lodge.