Colorado is synonymous with outdoor activities, drawing adventurers year-round. From skiing in the winter to hiking, mountain biking, rafting, and fishing in the summer, the state offers endless opportunities for exploration and excitement. Colorado’s Grand County is a destination for all seasons. Located just 90 miles west of Denver, its many natural wonders include Rocky Mountain National Park, characterized by dramatic peaks, pristine alpine lakes, and diverse wildlife. Grand County is the home of the legendary Winter Park Resort, miles of “Gold Medal” trout streams, and scenic Grand Lake.
But what if you’re looking for things to do beyond the slopes and trails, or perhaps it’s a stormy day that keeps you indoors?
Just a short drive from Grand Lake or Winter Park, visitors can explore three fascinating museums that provide insights into the region’s history and heritage. Each museum offers a unique story, from the pioneer days of early settlers to the enchanting world of historic railroads and model trains and the vital importance of local waterways. Here are three must-visit museums that highlight the rich tapestry of Grand County’s past and present.
Cozen Ranch Museum
The Cozen Ranch Museum is a hidden gem located along the Fraser River. The Cozens ranch was the first permanent non-indigenous settlement in the Fraser Valley. At its peak, the ranch covered over 700 acres. Today, only the house, stage stop with barn, and post office remain, and these are all preserved to the historic homestead times.
Museum guests are transported back to the pioneer days of the late 1800s. Exhibits, preserved artifacts, and photographs tell the stories of early settlers and the challenges they faced while taming the rugged mountain passes and surviving the long winters.
One exhibit room highlights the story of Susan Anderson, a pioneering woman born in 1870 in Indiana, who, after she graduated from medical school at the University of Michigan, moved to Colorado to either cure her tuberculosis or die. As her health improved, word of her healing skills began to spread. She treated families, railroad workers, and injured loggers in remote logging areas.
Another room highlights the logging history in Fraser (now called Grand County) and the World War II POW (Prisoner of War) Camp. Photographs show how German POW’s maintained the vital logging industry while patriotic Fraser men served in Europe during World War II.
The highlight for many children is dressing up in pioneer clothes, playing in a pioneer kitchen, and climbing into a restored stagecoach. The museum’s friendly staff offers classes and workshops to school children and adults, such as historic crafting and learning to dip candles.
The property was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
- Location: 1121 County Road 517, Fraser, CO 80442
- Hours: Open Friday to Sunday, 10 AM – 4 PM (May to September)
- Admission: Free, donations appreciated
- https://grandcountyhistory.org/museums/cozens-ranch-museum/
Moffat Road Railroad Museum
Visitors may set their sights on the town of Granby and the enchanting Moffat Road Railroad Museum, home to the largest permanent model train display in Colorado. Spanning an impressive 1,100 square feet, this model layout features six trains chugging along simultaneously through a captivating landscape filled with tunnels, bridges, and a bustling ski resort complete with its very own chairlifts.
Even if many visitors played with Lionel train sets as kids, they’re often surprised by how utterly enchanted they become at this museum. The meticulous attention to detail and the nostalgia of train travel sparks the imagination and transports guests back in time. And hold on to your conductor hats—coming soon is a small custom-built train that will accommodate both kids and adults, expected to roll out in 2025.
The museum boasts six pieces of railroad equipment at the Railroad Interpretive Park, all in various stages of restoration. From a charming 1905 Vermont Passenger Car to a classic 1923 wooden caboose, these relics offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of transportation in the area.
- Location: 410 E. Agate Ave, Granby, CO 80446
- Hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 10 AM – 4 PM (Year-round)
- Admission: $5 for adults, $3 for children (ages 5-12), free for children under 5
- https://moffatroadrailroadmuseum.org/
Headwaters River Journey:
Learn about the Colorado River drainage basin that spans 7 states and irrigates and powers much of the West.
The Headwaters River Journey in Winter Park is a unique water and wildlife museum. This interactive space emphasizes the importance of the headwaters—specifically the Fraser and Colorado Rivers—in our ecosystem. The hands-on exhibits engage visitors of all ages, making learning about water conservation both fun and informative.
An interactive exhibit lets you move a sensor to see the world through a trout’s eyes and try to survive in the Fraser River. Children scream, “Oh no,” if they can’t avoid a dangling fishhook and are caught by a fisherman.
A beaver lodge with an artificial beaver peeking out at visitors explains that beavers are nature’s water engineers. One interactive exhibit explains the trout of the Fraser: cutthroat, rainbow, brown, and brook, and what makes a tasty meal for them. Visitors try to match the artificial flies that look like real fish prey with the “hatch” of a mayfly, damselfly, grasshopper, and more.
Other exhibits explain the water supply network and how tunnels were built to move water from the west side of the Rockies-where 80% of the water occurs- to the east side, where more than 80% of Colorado’s residents live.
“Our museum takes you on an interactive journey to learn where the water comes from,” says Evie Guay, River Journey Manager. “We get to follow the Fraser River from where it starts to where it ends up. The trout game is harder than it seems. Your goal is to make it upstream, and you get to learn about the stresses our fish meet in the Fraser River. You can also get to know what it’s like to be a beaver or an osprey flying the path of the water”.
As they explore, guests learn about the critical role rivers play in supporting wildlife and the importance of protecting these natural resources. The museum offers programs for local schools, fostering a sense of environmental stewardship among the community’s youth. It is inspiring to see such dedication to education and conservation.
- Location: 1805 Millennium Cir, Winter Park, CO 80482
- Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM (Year-round)
- Admission: $5 for adults, $3 for children (ages 5-12), free for children under 5
- https://headwatersriverjourney.com/
Rocky Mountain National Park is located within the ancestral and traditional homeland of the Ute, Arapaho, and Cheyenne. Many other Tribes used this land, too. Indigenous people lived here for centuries until the US government forcibly removed them in the 1800’s. They left behind tools, pottery, rock structures, and trails. Here are Native American museums and sites in Colorado to learn more about its earliest inhabitants.
Mesa Verde National Park. https://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm
Ute Indian Museum. https://www.historycolorado.org/ute-indian-museum
Denver Art Museum with “Indigenous Arts of North America” https://www.denverartmuseum.org/en/collection/indigenous-arts-north-america
Chimney Rock National Monument. https://www.chimneyrockco.org/
Canyons of the Ancients. https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/colorado/canyons-of-the-ancients
Author and early adventurer Isabella Bird (1831-1904) published A Lady’s Life in the Rocky Mountains. Her book helped readers begin to recognize the need for preservation.
A Journey Worth Taking
Reflecting on the trip through Grand County, one realizes that its charm extends far beyond its stunning ski slopes and summer adventures. This less-traveled gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park offers a wealth of cultural experiences and natural beauty. The museums of Cozen Ranch, Moffat Road, and Headwaters River Journey provide rich insights into the region’s history and environment. Whether adventurers, history buffs, or simply those looking to escape the crowds, Grand County invites exploration of its hidden treasures.
