The Continental Divide Trail Runs Through This Colorado Town And It's The Ultimate Outdoor Playground
By Christy Articola|Published July 03, 2023
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Christy Articola
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Christy Articola has lived in Colorado since 2013 and considers herself a Centennial State enthusiast and expert through and through. She's based in Denver metro, but over the past decade, she has traveled to every corner, river, village, park, town, and city in the state and continues to explore it deeper and further whenever she can. Christy simply can't get enough of Colorado, and loves sharing all her adventures with you through Only In Your State! She graduated with a degree in journalism from Fordham University and is thrilled to be working as a full time travel writer for this and other sites - she finally found her perfect niche - and is so grateful for that.
The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, also known as the Continental Divide Trail or CDT, is a United States National Scenic Trail that extends from the United States-Canada border in Montana to the United States-Mexico border in New Mexico. The length of this trail varies depending on which offshoots you take along the way, plus it’s not entirely complete yet, but the Continental Divide Trail Coalition’s measurement is 3,028 miles total. The Continental Divide Trail in Colorado is 740 miles long, and on its way through the state, it zig zags through some seriously intense and impressive beauty. It also passes through some towns along the way so through hikers are able to restock their food and supplies, and one of those towns is Grand Lake, which is a great place to visit whether you are hiking or driving.
The Continental Divide Trail in Colorado is incredible. The whole trail is amazing, but as you might guess, many of the most beautiful parts are in The Centennial State.
Along the way, you'll pass through the town of Grand Lake in the northern part of the state. This town is an outdoor playground that is on the shores of Grand Lake near Rocky Mountain National Park.
The town itself is lovely and welcoming. It's full of cabins, restaurants, and charming shops. The locals are friendly, and no one is surprised when a moose or a herd of elk decides to walk right down the main strip.
The lake sparkles in the sun any time it's not frozen. Boaters love spending time out on the water. Pontoon boat rentals are plentiful if you're interested.
And when you wake up in the morning, it's time to get back on the trail. Whether you're headed northbound or southbound, don't dilly-dally - you still have a long way to go!
As you can see, Grand Lake is a worthy stop along the Continental Divide Trail in Colorado. This is a wonderful place to stop and relax for a day or two and take in the glory and beauty of the Rocky Mountains.
If you’re looking for more hiking trails in Colorado to get excited about, check out our Hiking in Colorado hub page for more ideas and inspiration! And if you need a place to stay in town but aren’t keen on camping, Vrbo has plenty of great options to choose from.
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