AA Bar Ranch (AA Barn) Group Picnic Site

Campground · Colorado · 1 bookable site ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Arapaho National Forest (NF) · Open Access

1
Bookable site
up to 100
People per site
8,329 ft
Elevation
"Double A" Barn
Photo: USFS · Recreation.gov

Overview

Reservable, day-use site for group picnics and other gatherings next to the Colorado River, Rocky Mountain National Park, and a historic barn that is available for indoor activities. Site not shaded. Motorized access to site and use of barn facilities are by reservation only. Visitors may access on foot the river, Forest Service trails, and Rocky Mountain National Park trails located adjacent to the AA Barn Site. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times at the AA Barn Site and adjacent Forest Service area, but dogs are prohibited in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Maximum number of people is 100 per day. The suggested vehicle limit is 20. Vehicles cannot be driven off the gravel areas. Do Not alter any features of the site, leave it as you find it. And, please pick up all trash and take it with you! Enjoy Your Stay.

Recreation

This barn is adjacent to a hiking entry point to Rocky Mountain National Park and has great fishing opportunities.

Facilities

The AA Barn is an enclosed space and has two floors. The upper floor is not available for use. The lower floor has electricity. The barn can be very cold late into the summer season due to the lack of sunlight and lack of heater. The barn can also get very hot during warm summer afternoons. The outside corrals are not suitable for livestock but do make beautiful photography backgrounds. Outside of the barn, there are handicap accessible vault toilets. The barn is at the end of a gated, drivable road. The public has access to walk on the road but does not have access to drive down the driveway. Some tables and chairs are provided. This includes approximately 5 banquet style tables and 80 folding chairs, and 13 picnic tables. Please note; you cannot operate any device that produces amplified sound at the barn site.

Watch a video tour of the barn: https://vimeo.com/816328996

Natural Features

The mountains in this area of Colorado are beautiful but the lodgepole pine beetle killed trees can be a challenge when it comes to photographs. The AA Barn used to be a working ranch and old corrals can be found on site. The Colorado River headwaters are adjacent to this barn and it is just below the Shadow Mountain Reservoir dam.

Contact Info

This location has limited staffing. Please call (970) 295-6600 for general information.

Nearby Attractions

The facts

  • 1 bookable site
  • 1 site for day use only
  • Up to 100 people per site
  • Loops: 1

Site types

  • 1 Group Standard Electric

Amenities

  • Picnic tables
  • Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, grills, shade.

Book on Recreation.gov

1 campsite at AA Bar Ranch (AA Barn) Group Picnic Site

Check-in 06:00 AM · Check-out 10:00 PM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceGradeWaterMax rigPeople
AA Barn1Group Standard Electric—GravelSlightRiverfront—100 🐾

Getting there

From the intersection of U.S. Highways 40 and 34 in Granby, travel north for 12 miles on Highway 34 to County Road 66 and go east one mile. Look for the Green Ridge Complex sign (County Road 66, Forest Road 274). Turn right on CR 66 and drive to end. Access through gate is issued with reservation upon calling the office during normal business hours.

40.20194, -105.83813 · 40°12'7.0"N 105°50'17.3"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 75°F in Jul, down to 26°F in Jan.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F263140485970757367554028
Low °F351323313844433627188
Precip in0.90.80.71.21.61.21.61.71.51.10.70.8

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 1.9 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

Member photos

Common questions about AA Bar Ranch (AA Barn) Group Picnic Site

Can you reserve a site at AA Bar Ranch (AA Barn) Group Picnic Site?
Yes, AA Bar Ranch (AA Barn) Group Picnic Site is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does AA Bar Ranch (AA Barn) Group Picnic Site have?
1 site.
Are pets allowed at AA Bar Ranch (AA Barn) Group Picnic Site?
Yes, pets are allowed at AA Bar Ranch (AA Barn) Group Picnic Site.

Camping near AA Bar Ranch (AA Barn) Group Picnic Site

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-11.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.