Arapaho National Recreation Area
Encyclopedia
The Arapaho National Recreation Area (ANRA) is a United States National Recreation Area
that is located near the headwaters of the Colorado River
in north central Colorado
adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park
. ANRA is under the jurisdiction of the Arapaho
-Roosevelt National Forest
. ANRA contains five lakes in the upper Colorado River
Valley:
A sixth lake, Grand Lake
, borders the recreation area on the north. Grand Lake is the largest natural lake in Colorado. Collectively, these six lakes are known as "The Great Lakes of Colorado."
The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail passes through the recreation area.
National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area is a designation for a protected area in the United States, often centered on large reservoirs and emphasizing water-based recreation for a large number of people. The first National Recreation Area was the Boulder Dam Recreation Area...
that is located near the headwaters of the Colorado River
Colorado River
The Colorado River , is a river in the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately long, draining a part of the arid regions on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The watershed of the Colorado River covers in parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states...
in north central Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is a national park located in the north-central region of the U.S. state of Colorado.It features majestic mountain views, a variety of wildlife, varied climates and environments—from wooded forests to mountain tundra—and easy access to back-country trails...
. ANRA is under the jurisdiction of the Arapaho
Arapaho National Forest
Arapaho National Forest is a National Forest located in north-central Colorado, United States. The facility is managed jointly with the Roosevelt National Forest and the Pawnee National Grassland from the United States Forest Service office in Fort Collins, Colorado...
-Roosevelt National Forest
Roosevelt National Forest
The Roosevelt National Forest is a National Forest located in north central Colorado. It is contiguous with the Colorado State Forest as well as the Arapaho National Forest...
. ANRA contains five lakes in the upper Colorado River
Colorado River
The Colorado River , is a river in the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately long, draining a part of the arid regions on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The watershed of the Colorado River covers in parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states...
Valley:
- Lake GranbyLake GranbyLake Granby is the second largest body of water in Colorado. It was created as part of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project and forms a continuous body of water with Shadow Mountain Reservoir and Grand Lake. On its own, Lake Granby contains approximately 40 miles of shoreline. The lake is popular...
- Shadow Mountain LakeShadow Mountain LakeShadow Mountain Lake is a reservoir in Grand County, Colorado, near the headwaters of the Colorado River. Shadow Mountain Lake is created by Shadow Mountain Dam...
- Willow Creek Reservoir
- Monarch Lake
- Meadow Creek Reservoir
A sixth lake, Grand Lake
Grand Lake (Colorado)
Grand Lake is Colorado's largest and deepest natural lake, one of the headwaters of the Colorado River in Grand County, Colorado. On its shores is located the eponymous town of Grand Lake. The elevation of the lake surface is 8,367 feet . It is formed by the damming of several streams by a...
, borders the recreation area on the north. Grand Lake is the largest natural lake in Colorado. Collectively, these six lakes are known as "The Great Lakes of Colorado."
The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail passes through the recreation area.