Arapaho National Recreation Area

Arapaho National Recreation Area is a protected landscape in the Rocky Mountains featuring five alpine lakes, with Lake Granby being the largest. The area spans forested slopes and mountain terrain where visitors can fish, boat, and hike throughout different seasons.

The United States Forest Service established this recreation area in 1978 to protect the mountain landscape and allow public outdoor use. This designation made the alpine lakes and surrounding terrain available for recreation while maintaining environmental safeguards.

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.

Location: Grand County

Inception: 1978

Operator: United States Forest Service

Website: https://fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/recreation/recarea/?recid=81813

GPS coordinates: 40.18333,-105.85056

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:02