Welcome to the Arapaho National Recreation Area (ANRA) - a 35,000 acre scenic water wonderland in the upper reaches of the Colorado River Valley. The ANRA was established by Congress in 1978 and contains five major reservoirs: Lake Granby, Shadow Mountain Lake, Monarch Lake, Willow Creek Reservoir and Meadow Creek Reservoir. Grand Lake, adjacent to the ANRA, with its deep, clear blue waters, is the largest natural lake in Colorado. Together, the lakes and reservoirs are often referred to as the "Great Lakes of Colorado." The ANRA is a world-class place to boat, camp, hike, fish, ice fish, snowmobile, view wildlife, horseback ride and hold events.
PLEASE NOTE: Visitors that hike trails leading west from the Monarch Lake, Roaring Fork or Junco Lake Trailheads are responsible for following all Indian Peaks Wilderness regulations and permit requirements.
All vehicles (including automobiles, RVs, ATVs, and snowmobiles) must display a valid pass. Campground fees are additional. Passes are required on long-term moored boats. Boats trailered in for short periods are covered by the vehicle pass. ANRA fees are covered under Interagency Passes properly displayed on the vehicle dashboard or from a mirror hangtag with the signature side visible to enforcement personnel. Fees are also required to use the waters of Shadow Mountain Reservoir and Lake Granby.
At a Glance
Current Conditions:
As of October 5, 2020 buoys marking hazards, as-well-as docks, have been removed from the lake. Boat ramps and inspections remain in opporation. Boaters are advised to boat at their own risk.
Operational Hours:
Boat ramps are closed from October until ice off in April.
Fees
All vehicles (including automobiles, RVs, ATVs, and snowmobiles) must display a valid pass:
$5/day
$10/3 days
$15/7 days
$30/annual pass (includes ANRA access for up to 4 vehicles, boats, RVs or snowmobiles)
Interagency Annual, Military, Senior or Access passes, Golden Age and Golden Access passes are accepted.
Permit Info:
See the Indian Peaks Wilderness page for information and regulations for trails east of Monarch Lake, Roaring Fork and Junco Lake Trailheads. Permits are required for overnight use and additional regulations apply.
Usage:
Heavy
Restrictions:
In the Arapaho National Recreation Area, motorized boats will only be allowed to launch from designated boat ramps whenever Colorado Parks and Wildlife inspectors are present. Emergency access onto Arapaho National Recreation Area reservoirs, and one-way access off the water will be provided 24/7 at Stillwater and Green Ridge boat ramps.
Closest Towns:
Granby, Colorado; Grand Lake, Colorado
Passes:
Passes can be obtained from the Sulphur Ranger District or from the eleven automatic credit-card fee machines in the ANRA. Fee stations locations include Arapaho Bay Road near the fee booth, Willow Creek Reservoir, Willow Creek Canal Picnic Area, Stillwater Campground, Green Ridge Boat Ramp and Pine Beach Picnic Area. Purchase of the ANRA annual pass provides the holder with a subscription to the ANRA newsletter and use of reservoirs, trailheads, boat launches and picnic areas. Check our ANRA fee page for details.
Operated By:
Forest Service
Information Center:
Sulphur Ranger District, 9 Ten Mile Drive, P. O. Box 10, Granby, CO 80446, Phone 970-887-4100, Fax 970-887-4102; Contact Us
Dispersed camping is also allowed near Meadow Creek Reservoir, along some of the eastern shore of Lake Granby (Map, pdf 4 MB) and along other roads within the recreation area identified for dispersed camping on the Sulphur Ranger District Motor Vehicle Use Map.
Fishing is available on each of the lakes and on public land along creeks and rivers within the area. Lake Granby is known for its kokanee salmon and trophy lake trout. Shadow Mountain Reservoir is stocked with brown and other trout species. Fishing licenses are required per State of Colorado regulations and seasonal regulations exist on the Colorado River below Shadow Mountain Reservoir Dam.
River and Stream Fishing
Recreation areas with activity River and Stream Fishing:
Fly fishing opportunities are available along the Colorado River and other nearby creeks. Fishing licenses are required per State of Colorado regulations and seasonal regulations exist on the Colorado River below Shadow Mountain Reservoir Dam.
The Monarch Lake and Junco Lake trailheads within the ANRA are two of the primary entry points to the most popular wilderness area in the National Forest System, Indian Peaks Wilderness.
The easy to moderate, four-mile circuit around Monarch Lake offers views up to the valleys and high points of the Indian Peaks Wilderness and is one of the area’s most popular hikes.
The Shadow Mountain Dam Trailhead, accessed near the Green Ridge Campground, offers access to trails into Rocky Mountain National Park and along the Colorado River. (Please note: no dogs are allowed on National Park trails.)
The Continental Divide Trail crosses the ANRA east of Lake Granby
Bird lovers enjoy watching the many osprey in the area. Visitors can watch for them hovering over the water then plunging feet-first for fish, and for the body-parallel method osprey use to carry their prey (versus the perpendicular method eagles use to carry fish). There is an osprey viewing platform and parking for it near the Green Mountain Campground, at the gated end of County Road 66.
Other types of wildlife that may be seen in the ANRA include birds like the Stellar's Jay, raven, western bluebird, ptarmigan, and mountain chickadee, and mammals including antelope, moose, deer, elk, bobcats, pine martens, mountain lions, squirrels, black bears and pika.
Never feed or approach wildlife. Keep a clean camp in order to ward off bears. Be aware that moose can become aggressive and may be a bigger threat than bears, particularly around dogs.
Water Activities
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Boating - Motorized
Recreation areas with activity Boating - Motorized:
Boat ramps (offering Colorado State Mussel Inspections) for Lake Granby are available at Sunset Point and Stillwater (adjacent to campground).
A boat ramp (offering Colorado State Mussel Inspections) for Shadow Mountain Lake is available near the Green Ridge campground.
Non-motorized boats (not requiring state inspections) may launch from Hilltop Boat Launch, near Grand Lake, and Willow Creek Boat Launch on Willow Creek Reservoir.
Boating activities include pleasure boating, fishing, water skiing and tubing, canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding.
Various commercial marinas rent boats; contact the Grand Lake or Granby Chambers of Commerce for more information.
State of Colorado boating regulations apply within the ANRA.
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