Colorado is home to countless natural wonders, from the majestic Rocky Mountains and Garden of the Gods to the gorgeous Great Sand Dunes and Red Rocks. In addition to these geological landmarks, Colorado is also home to hundreds of lovely lakes. However, there’s one body of water that was here long before the rest, and it truly is a beautiful piece of living history.

You’ll find Grand Lake in a charming mountain town that shares its name.
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The lake measures 1.5 miles at its longest point and 1 mile at its widest. It’s also an impressive 389 feet deep, making Grand Lake both the largest and deepest natural lake in Colorado. It is also part of the headwaters of the Colorado River.
Flickr/Don Graham
Both its size and its beauty make it a popular spot to go fishing, boating, and swimming.
While the town of Grand Lake was established in 1881, the lake itself has been around long before that. The valley it now fills was carved by glaciers over 10,000 years ago.
Flickr/Don Graham
Grand Lake has been an important part of Colorado civilization throughout history. The Ute Tribe named it Spirit Lake, as they believed its cold waters to be a resting place for the spirits of the deceased, but there is also evidence of an earlier, prehistoric people that came to the lake and its surrounding area to hunt and fish.

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By the mid-1800s, European hunters discovered the area as well, leading to the town’s original settlement in 1867.
Flickr/Amy the Nurse
In addition to the stellar hunting and fishing, early settlers also found prosperous jobs at nearby mines.
Though the mining boom was short-lived, the settlers’ love of the pristine Grand Lake was not.
Flickr/Don Graham
While many other mining towns were abandoned when the mines ran dry, the town of Grand Lake continued to thrive, and it remains a popular year-round destination for thousands of visitors.
When you visit the lake, plant to spend an entire weekend here, as there are many other excellent attractions in the surrounding area. You’ll find beautiful hiking trails through the natural areas and tons of fun shopping, dining, and sight-seeing spots in the town of Grand Lake.
Flickr/Don Graham

Have you visited Grand Lake? What’s your favorite activity in this lovely area of Colorado?

To discover even more to do around Grand Lake, check out These Spots On This Colorado Main Street Boardwalk Will Make Your Summer Awesome.

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