At a Glance
- Established: 1912
- Elevation: 8,369 ft
- Racing Season: Summer weekends
- Lake Size: 506 acres
The Grand Lake Yacht Club
The Grand Lake Yacht Club was established in 1912 and is one of the oldest and highest-altitude sailing organizations in North America. The club operates on Grand Lake — Colorado's largest natural lake — which produces reliable afternoon sailing winds from the southwest during summer months.
Weekly races are held throughout the summer season on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The racing scene is a mix of experienced sailors and enthusiastic beginners, and the spectacle of wooden sailboats tacking across the lake with the Continental Divide as a backdrop is one of Grand Lake's more distinctive summer images.
Sailing on Grand Lake
Grand Lake's relatively small size (506 acres) combined with reliable afternoon wind makes it a technical sailing venue where boat handling matters more than boat speed. The races are visible from the lakeshore and the boardwalk — a free spectator experience that adds atmosphere to an afternoon walk through the village.
The club maintains a clubhouse on the north shore of the lake. Visitors interested in sailing can inquire about guest sailing opportunities during the summer season.
The Regatta
The Grand Lake Sailing Regatta is an annual multi-day racing event held in August. The regatta draws sailors from across Colorado and beyond — one of the higher-altitude regattas in the country. Check the Grand Lake Yacht Club website for current regatta dates.
The regatta weekend brings additional energy to Grand Lake Village — plan to arrive early for parking if visiting during that weekend.