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 following - you guessed it - the Continental Divide along the Rocky Mountains, including the Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. 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 segment of 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 thru-hikers are able to restock their food and supplies. One such town is Grand Lake, CO 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.

Walking along this trail is an experience that you'll never forget. You'll see so many parts of Colorado that others never get to see.

Along the way, you'll pass through the town of Grand Lake. Wondering where is Grand Lake Colorado? It's located 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. If you wanted to know the elevation Grand Lake Colorado, it’s 8,439 feet!

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.

Grand Lake is also a great lake for sailing. Shadow Mountain Lake is adjacent to Grand Lake, too, and it's also quite popular for water sports.

People who prefer to stay on shore can enjoy picnic areas and beaches.

Hikers can head to higher ground to check out the spectacular views below.

When hiking in this area, there are so many vistas that will take your breath away.

And, Grand Lake is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, which offers even more of the same.

After you spend your day running around outdoors, you'll probably be hungry. Stop into Grand Lake to get some ice cream or more.

For the night, there are lots of campgrounds in this area to try.

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!

Whether you're traveling on foot or by bike or car, Grand Lake is worth a stop.

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 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.