What Are the Three Lakes of Grand County, and How Do People Use Them From Granby to Grand Lake?

Grand Lake, Shadow Mountain Lake and Lake Granby are the Three Lakes. They sit side by side in the northern part of Grand County, and they are a big reason people look at homes in Granby and Grand Lake. Rebecca Smyth, Real Estate Agent, grew up here, and the lakes are the heart of the county.

They are not the same kind of lake. Knowing the difference helps when you shop.

• Grand Lake is the largest natural lake in Colorado. It sits beside the town of Grand Lake and the west entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.
• Shadow Mountain Lake is a reservoir, which means people built it. It joins Grand Lake and forms one continuous body of water with it.
• Lake Granby is also a reservoir. It is the one closest to the town of Granby, and it is linked to the other two.

Reservoir water levels can change through the season, so look at a shoreline in more than one month before you decide how it looks to you.

Summer is boats, paddles and fishing rods. Winter brings ice fishing, with portable shelters, and snow right down to the shore. Here is what the state says about Lake Granby.

• Boating. Boats are inspected for aquatic nuisance species, and launching is not allowed when inspectors are not there. Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the current hours.
• Fishing. The state lists lake trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, cutbow and kokanee salmon, from a mix of stocked and self-sustaining fish. Anglers 15 and under fish free, and older anglers need a Colorado fishing license.
• Paddling. Kayaks and paddle boards are part of the summer picture on the lakes.
• Public access. Some Forest Service sites around the reservoirs charge a fee, so check the Arapaho National Recreation Area page before you go.

Lakefront costs more than a home near the lake. That holds in Grand Lake and across the county. So the first question is which one you are looking at.

• Is it lakefront, lake view or lake access? The three are not the same, and the price follows.
• What does the deed say about the shoreline? Ask what you own and what you share.
• Is there a dock or a slip, and who maintains it? Get the details in writing.
• What does insurance say? Ask your insurance agent about the property before you write an offer.

Start in Granby, drive US-34 to Grand Lake, which takes about 20 minutes each way, and stop where the water pulls you in. Go once in summer and once in winter if you can. The lakes look like two different places, and the right home for you may depend on which one you love.

The two towns give you different winters. Granby is a year-round town where US-40 and US-34 meet, with Lake Granby close by and generally more house for the money. Grand Lake has the natural lake, the historic boardwalk and the park entrance, and it is quieter in winter with fewer year-round services.

Many homes in Grand Lake are second homes. Many in Granby are lived in all year. Neither is better. The right one depends on how many days a year you want to be here, and what you want to walk out the door and do.

Fishing rules, license requirements, boat inspection hours and access fees change, so confirm them with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Forest Service before you go. This post is a general guide to the lakes and not advice on any one home.

Want to see the lakes with someone who knows them? Book a call with me or text 970-531-1268 and we will plan a day around the water. You can also read about the Grand Lake area and the Granby area.