Arapaho Bay Moraine Loop Campground

We arrived on a Sunday mid-afternoon in July after driving through Rocky Mountain National Park from Estes with the hope to find a FCFS spot as the website indicated there were quite a few. After driving through the crowded loops of the three campgrounds in this area, at the end of the 9 mile entry road from the highway, we thought we'd had no luck and would need to drive on. We spotted the host so asked him why all but a few sites showed RESERVED when it had indicated FCFS for many sites. He brought out a map that indicated blue dots on several sites that indicated OPEN and he promptly found us a beautiful private spot overlooking the water (the site sign says RESERVED so it's a mystery how the system is suppose to work). We're very thankful to have this great spot, and we plan to kayak on a number of bays and lakes in this area. It's been pouring rain since we arrived but we have (or will have) a lovely view of the bay when it clears up.

I loved this campground so much! It was one of the best highlights of our trip! We stayed in site 33 with a 30ft airstream and just barely fit around the curve to the site. This site has privacy on most sides and is surrounded by small trees. The campground has a beach area you can kayak, paddle board, swim. No hookups. The water at the campground spigot was off when we were there but we just carried water from the lake to refill our fresh water tank and just filtered and sanitized it. We stayed in middle July with temps near 80 in the day and dipped cool at night and we did fine with no ac. This campground is about 20 mins drive down a back road off the main road so get your supplies before coming in. From the campground it’s about a 30 minute drive into Grand Lake. The camp host is great and laid back. There are some sites reservable online and some first come first serve. 33 was a fcfs site When you arrive you can get an envelope at the entrance and use to pay for the site. During the weekend the sites go fast. Would definately stay again!! The sunsets are amazing!!!!

We really enjoyed paddling (kayak and SUP) in this protected cove of Lake Granby. The views were great and the site (30) was nice, although it was a bit closer to 31 than I’d prefer. However that fact wouldn’t stop me from going back. Sites 35-37 had their own beach. They were a bit tight, but would be great for a group. We did the Monarch Lake hike nearby, which was easy and enjoyable. Cell phone service was interesting. AT&T varied from No Service to 5 bars of 3G. I thought I’d be safe for my Teams meeting, but I wasn’t. Verizon varied from 1 bar of 4G to 4 bars.