Take Advantage of Favorite Fall Activities in the Mountains of Grand County!
When cool, crisp days start to replace the heat of summer, we know winter is just around the corner. And as excited as we are for the snowy season and the lifts to start turning, fall in Grand County is truly one of our favorite times of year. Smoke drifts out of chimneys, frosty green grass greets us in the mornings, snow settles on the tops of peaks, and aspens burst with vibrant gold, orange, and red. Life seems to slow down a little, making space to take advantage of outdoor adventure in cooler temps and soak in all the fall color. So that you can truly get the most out of this beautiful time of year, we've put together ten of the best ways to experience autumn here in the Fraser Valley.
1. LISTEN TO ELK BUGLE IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
Head up to Rocky Mountain National Park to experience the incredible, almost surreal sounds of bull elk bugling. It's hard to even describe, but the combination of grunts, screeching trumpets, and high-pitched shrieks are the bull elks' way of communicating to cow elk in the area. Bull bugles are abundant during fall mating season. Elk gather in groups of tens and even hundreds in Grand County's corner of Rocky Mountain National Park against the breathtaking backdrop of vibrant golden leaves and mountain peaks. We think "listening to an elk bugle" should be a serious contender for your personal bucket list! The best chance to witness elk bugling in Rocky Mountain National Park is from mid-September to mid-October, and sometimes even into November. Learn more about the best time to go and the best places to look here.
2. HIKE AND BIKE THROUGH FALL FOLIAGE
As the temperatures cool off and the aspens begin to change, hiking and biking is at its best. Crisp fall air and vibrant leaves fill the valley, and the trails are still dry and ready to explore before snow settles in for winter. Some of our favorite spots for catching that fall color on the trail are on Jim Creek Trail, the loop around Monarch Lake, the Leland Creek trail system, the trails near St. Louis Creek, and Tipperary. Check out our favorite fall hiking and biking trails here.
3. GO LEAF PEEPING
While there are abundant opportunities to check out the changing leaves on the trail, you can also soak in the fall foliage on a scenic drive. Check out some of our favorite places to enjoy fall colors in Grand County (whether on foot behind the wheel) as the seasons change every year. Leaves typically peak around the third week of September here in our neck of the Rockies, but timing varies each year depending on the weather and moisture levels. We love the years when the autumn hues seem to linger, and we're hopeful for a long leaf-peeping season every year!
4. CHECK OUT FALL FESTIVALS + EVENTS
Weekend festivals and events keep don't stop because school started! Fall Festivals and events keep the fun coming all fall long. Most fall weekends bring seasonally-themed events like Oktoberfest at Granby Ranch, Grand Kids Lumberjack Fall Festival, Rocky Mountain Wine Fest, the Upslope Backcountry Taproom, the Pumpkin Patch at Sun Outdoors, and more. Check out some of this year's fall events here in Grand County, and mark your calendars for a fun-filled autumn!
5. FISH GRAND COUNTY'S LAKES, RIVERS + RESERVOIRS
Grand County is home to year-round fishing (think ice fishing in the winter), but whether you're wading, floating, boating, or fishing from shore, fall can be the perfect time to fish. The season brings a welcome reprieve from the summer heat as cool mornings and crisp air settle in. With the cooler temperatures comes a drastic decrease in crowds (and of the horse fly and mosquito population!). Fewer people on the water translates to a less-pressured fish population, increasing your odds of success. The cooler weather also means cooler water, and water temperatures in the mid-fifties are ideal for trout metabolism. Read: the fish are hungry this time of year! And the cool water leads to the brown trout spawn; pre-spawning season in late September and early October can bring some of the biggest catches of the year. Check out some of the best, public-access fishing spots here in Grand County to plan your fall fishing adventures!
6. HUNT BIG GAME
Grand County is widely known for its hunting opportunities, both big game and small. With a well-deserved reputation as a "Sportsman's Paradise," the county offers some of the best hunting in Colorado. And big game hunting season runs all fall long. From Corona Pass to Grand Lake to Kremmling, opportunities to hunt on public land abound. Bear, elk, deer, pronghorn, and moose tags are available (and significantly cheaper for Colorado residents). The primary draw for tags is at the beginning of April, and the secondary draw is typically in late June. But there are always over-the-counter tags available (restricted to certain units/seasons/manners of take) if you didn't get a chance to plan ahead. Big game archery season typically kicks off on Labor Day weekend and runs through the end of September with muzzle-loader season the third week of September. Three rifle seasons in a row start in early October and end mid-November. Learn about the ins and outs of regulations, licenses, preparation, and more in the Colorado Parks + Wildlife big game brochure. And if you're looking for an outfitter to take you on a guided hunting trip, check out Samuelson Outfitters, a local, family-owned operation that got its start here in 1967.
7. TAKE A HAY RIDE
Nothing says fall like a good old fashioned hay ride! Devil's Thumb Ranch offers horse-drawn wagon rides complete with hay in the fall season. The hour-long ride is a treat for all ages as it tours around Devil's Thumb's expansive property so you can immerse yourself in fall colors and breathtaking views. They offer wagon rides on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, & Saturdays at 4:30 PM (only available for lodging guests, but fall is a great time to stay at DTR!). For a western-themed, rustic experience geared toward younger children, Winding River Resort offers family hay rides, complete with a stop at "Sarsaparilla Saloon," through the end of September.
8. GO FOR A HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE
Hot air balloon rides run year-round, but something about the crisp mornings, vibrant sunrises, colorful aspens, and snow-dusted mountaintops make floating above the Fraser Valley in a balloon even better in the fall. You can get a birds-eye look at the autumn beauty of the Rocky Mountains with Grand Adventure Balloon Tours, Learn all you need to know about hot air ballooning in Grand County here.
9. SOAK IN THE HOT SPRINGS
Hot Sulphur Springs Resort and Spa is the perfect place to spend a cool fall day. Whether it's a bluebird day or early-season snow is flying, soaking in the natural hot springs is the epitome of relaxation. And there's just something magical about soaking in the resort's perfectly warm mineral waters as the first chill of autumn sets in. And you can take the drive over Cottonwood Pass (CR 55) from Granby to Hot Sulphur to experience some of the best fall color around on your way to the hot springs.
10. STAY AT A RANCH
Want to immerse yourself in the beauty of fall in Grand County? Whether you already own a mountain home or not, staying at a Grand County dude or guest ranch is a fun getaway that makes it easy to take advantage of all things fall and soak in the season on horseback. Devil's Thumb Ranch in Tabernash gives you all the outdoor opportunities with luxurious accommodations. Check out their fall activities like guided fall foliage hikes, fall color trail rides, and elk bugling tours. Drowsy Water Ranch (between Granby and Hot Sulphur Springs) only hosts guests through mid-late September (and adults only after they officially close out the summer season), so you'll have to take advantage of early fall there. C Lazy U offers a variety of fall weekends (some family-friendly and some adults-only) through October including the "Autumn Color Family Retreat" and "Fall Family Harvest Getaways." The peaceful connection to nature you experience at a dude or guest ranch makes fall even better!
QUESTIONS? NEED MORE INFO?
We're here for you. We'd love to answer any questions you have about fall activities here in Grand County. Feel free to reach out - we're always here as a resource and happy to share our wealth of knowledge that comes from living, working, and playing in the Winter Park area for decades!
Posted by Angela McDonough (Sandstrom) on
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