Strawberry Lake Trail

The Strawberry Lake Trail is a 3.7-mile out-and-back route located near Granby, Colorado. This moderately challenging hike typically takes about 2 hours to complete. The trail is popular for birding, hiking, and photography in the warmer months. Dogs are welcome on the trail but must be kept on a leash. The trail is situated in the Arapaho National Recreation Area (ANRA), which requires a daily entrance fee, an ANRA annual pass, or an Interagency Pass. Passes can be obtained at a kiosk at the start of the road.

The trailhead, though not marked and somewhat difficult to spot, can be found after a scenic drive along County Road 6. Limited roadside parking is available, with space for 3 or 4 vehicles located at a pull off on the lake side of the road. The hike begins with a steep incline (roughly 1 mile) that eases as it progresses, leading to the picturesque Strawberry Lake. The trail itself is a dirt track with a rocky surface, providing plenty of shade from surrounding pine trees. 

A small seating area by the lake offers a spot to relax and enjoy views of the Indian Peaks Range with the lake in the foreground. The area around the lake is a floating mat fen—a fragile ecosystem of saturated soil and specially adapted plants. To protect this delicate environment, visitors should stay off the fen and use the metal boardwalk to access the lake shore. Alternatively, walking around to the opposite shore, which is not a fen, is another option.