Visitors to Grand County are quick to realize the magnificence of their surroundings. Being engulfed by the Continental Divide it is hard not to. Visually it can be overwhelming.

Winter Park is both a winter and summer paradise. Because the town of Winter Park is surrounded by the Araphoe National forest, it has the advantage of being situated just minutes from an endless variety of outdoor activities. Bear Crossing is just feet from the network of mountain bike and hiking trails.

Visitors to the Winter Park area may have a hard time deciding what activity to do for the day. Downhill skiing and snowboarding , cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling are some of the winter activities in our area. In the summertime, enjoy mountain biking, music festivals, hiking , and golfing .

Nearby Activities:


Hiking
Hiking in the Winter Park area showcases nature at its best. Wild flowers, rivers, lakes, the odd glimpse of wildlife, and the spectacular vistas of the Colorado Rockies, conspire to make hiking in Colorado a truly rewarding experience.

Whether you're in search of a full-blown hiking vacation, or a gentle stroll in the woods surrounded by wildflowers, the hiking trail systems in Winter Park and Grand County including the Rocky Mountain National Park will not disappoint.

The Bear Crossing community abuts the Blue Sky Trail with thousands of miles of hiking trails. Capture breathtaking 360º views from Byers Peak (12,804 ft), a true landmark in the valley. Once the trail goes above timberline, the views are amazing and the hiking gets steep. Toward the top, several rocky sections must be traversed, but the effort is worth it. Other nearby peaks include Colorado Mines Peak (12,493 ft), St. Louis Lake 11,531 ft), Devil’s Thumb (12,000 ft) and Columbine Lake.

Rollins Pass is also accessible by car from U.S. 40, midway between Winter Park Resort and downtown Winter Park. The 15-mile road, which can be very bumpy in places, especially near the top, follows the old railroad grade to the Continental Divide. From the top there are breathtaking views in every direction. You literally feel like you are "on top of the world".

The road south of Lake Granby leads to Monarch Lake, a popular trailhead to access the Indian Peaks Wilderness. The trail loop around Monarch Lake is mild, but offers good birding and some historical artifacts from the old rail line in the area.

Near the town of Grand Lake is the west entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, a hiker's dream. The North Inlet trail leads to a spectacular set of falls, and at 7 miles round-trip is considered a moderate 1/2-day hike. Cascade Falls roars down a great pile of boulders that belies the placid nature of the stream at the beginning of the trail. Highly recommended.

Rocky Mountain National Park is a living showcase of the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains. With elevations ranging from 8,000 feet in the wet, grassy valleys to 14,259 feet at the weather-ravaged top of Long's Peak, a visitor to the park has opportunities for countless breathtaking experiences and adventures.

Elk, mule deer, moose, bighorn sheep, black bears, coyotes, cougars, eagles, hawks and scores of smaller animals delight wildlife-watchers of all ages. Wildflower-lovers are never disappointed in June and July when the meadows and hillsides are splashed with botanical color. Autumn visitors can relax among the golden aspens or enjoy the rowdier antics of the elk rut (mating season).

359 miles of trail offer endless opportunities to hikers, backpackers and horseback riders. Fly fishers, bird-watchers and photographers discover the splendor that they traveled so far to find. During the winter, snowshoers and cross-country skiers revel in the white-blanketed tranquility of meadows and forests.

60 peaks rising above 12,000 feet challenge intrepid hikers and climbers. Anyone visiting between Memorial Day and late autumn can see many of these peaks eye-to-eye by driving over Trail Ridge Road. Topping out at 12,183 feet, this is the highest, continuous, paved road in the United States.

Rodeo
Grand County is a major center for rodeos in Colorado with at least one rodeo event every weekend during the summer from May through September.


White Water River Rafting
White water rafting in Colorado is one of the most exciting and breathtaking ways to experience the beauty of the natural surroundings in summer. Scenic float trips and thrilling whitewater river rafting tours are available on the nearby Colorado River in Grand County, or the Clear Creek River in Clear Creek County.

Full and Half day trips are available on the Colorado River - perfect for first-time rafters, families, groups of all ages, or those just interested in a gorgeous day on the river. Beautiful scenery, mild whitewater, historic cabins, a jumping rock, and natural hot springs are just some of the features on their most popular scenic float trip.

The Clear Creek experience is the most challenging river, and the closest whitewater to Denver. With prior paddling experience recommended, Clear Creek is generally steep and narrow, with Class III and Class IV rapids ensuring a true whitewater adventure! Intermediate and Advanced rafters will enjoy the convenience of location, and less congestion than on most other rivers.


Spa
Hot Sulphur Springs Colorado, is known as one of the nation's oldest, largest and finest natural hot mineral springs resort and spa. Located at 7,600 feet elevation and in operation continually for the past 140 years, visitors from all over the world come to relax and enjoy the sacred waters where the Ute Indians once bathed, healed mind, body, and spirit.

Thirty-five thousand feet below the surface of the earth, the heat of volcanic rock is released through countless fissures that spread out through the earth's crust. In Hot Sulphur Springs, there are seven natural springs flowing above the largest fissure that have been flowing constantly for hundreds of years, surfacing at about 104ºF to 126ºF. Over 200,000 gallons of natural hot mineral-rich water flow through the 22 mineral pools and baths every day at controlled temperatures of 95º to 112ºF. No chemicals are added to the mineral water which is neither filtered nor re-circulated. There is daily maintenance and cleaning of the pools and lines. All used water is returned to the Colorado River, adjoining the property.

The Hot Sulphur Springs Resort and Spa is a quiet, relaxing, therapeutic and health-oriented facility. There are 22 pools and private baths in all sizes, shapes and depths, plus a new jet spa and outdoor oriental bath and solarium pool. Try the new lap-therapy-soaking pool or outdoor private pagoda pool. A summer swimming pool for all ages is open May through October, plus three warm pools for children under 16 with paying adults. Most recently, a new children's cascade pool was installed as well as a new slide on the outdoor summer pool. The town of Hot Sulphur Springs, is located only 30 minutes west of the Winter Park.


Other Activities:
Photography, birding, sleigh rides, summertime concerts, musical festivals, weekend events at the Winter Park parks.