Arapaho National Recreation Area, National recreation area in Grand County, United States

Arapaho National Recreation Area lies near the headwaters of the Colorado River in north central Colorado, adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park. It contains five lakes in the upper Colorado River Valley: Lake Granby, Shadow Mountain Lake, Willow Creek Reservoir, Monarch Lake and Meadow Creek Reservoir. Grand Lake, Colorado's largest natural lake, borders the area on the north.

Arapaho National Recreation Area was created in 1978, protecting 124 km² in Grand County, Colorado. It lies under the jurisdiction of the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest, near the headwaters of the Colorado River and beside Rocky Mountain National Park. Five of Colorado's six "Great Lakes" fall within its boundaries.

The lakes within this recreation area serve as important gathering places where locals and visitors fish, boat, and spend time outdoors in the mountains. These waters are deeply woven into how people experience and enjoy the high country landscape.

The area is most accessible in summer and early fall when trails and lakes are clear of ice. Watercraft require inspection to prevent the spread of invasive species, and fishing is permitted but needs a license.

Lake Granby connects to Shadow Mountain Lake through a canal system, allowing boaters to navigate between the two lakes and explore different bays and shorelines. This interconnected waterway creates a larger water-based experience than any single lake would offer alone.