Located near the west entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, the road to the Grand Lake Lodge turns off US Hwy 36 just outside the Park boundary. There is a good parking spot by the historic sign and a short distance to GZ.
The Town of Grand Lake has a long history, dating back to the Utes & Arapaho, and later miners of silver, lead, & gold. The town itself was surveyed & formally established in 1881. After the mining era went "bust" around 1890, tourism slowly returned by the beginning of the 1900s
After the establishment of Rocky Mountain National Park in 1915, and the new road over Fall River Pass began to bring more tourists into Grand Lake, additional lodging facilities were needed. Construction of the Grand Lake Lodge began in 1918. Made of native lodge-pole pine, the Lodge and many outer buildings were soon completed & opened for guests on July 3rd, 1920. The lodge is noted for its front porch and the views looking out over Grand Lake.