Green Ridge Campground

by Amy
(Christiansburg, VA)

Are you looking for a scenic, affordable campsite that is close to Rocky Mountain National Park? Consider the Green Ridge Campground, on the south shore of Shadow Mountain Lake and located just four miles from the quaint town of Grand Lake, Colorado.

The Green Ridge Campground offers just the basics -- tent pads, accommodations for RVs, picnic tables and flushing toilets -- at an affordable price. It's an easy walk to the shore of Shadow Lake, where you can take in the waterfront scenery with the Rocky Mountains as a spectacular backdrop. You may even be lucky enough to spot some of Colorado's wildlife here -- on recent visits I've seen a red fox running through the Green Ridge Campground at dusk, and I have witnessed a moose and her calf grazing in a meadow near the campground.

The town of Grand Lake is small but inviting and just a few miles' drive away. Here you can grab a hamburger or a Mexican meal or a locally-brewed beer at the Grand Lake Brewing Company. The small grocery store downtown is a perfect place to pick up food or last-minute camping supplies. An outdoor store on the town's main street allows you to purchase more technical camping gear, or even to rent a bear canister for a back country adventure into the National Park. The town's several western stores also offer additional shopping opportunities.

Drive north on Highway 34 to reach the border of Rocky Mountain National Park, just a few miles from the Green Ridge Campground. The Grand Lake Entrance Station and the Kawuneeche Visitor Center are both located near the entrance to the park and can provide you with detailed information on how to make the most of your visit to Rocky Mountain National Park.