Attractions In Grand Junction Colorado – Located just four hours west of Denver on I-70 and just two hours from Aspen and Moab, Grand Junction is one of America’s most beautiful outdoor playgrounds. Surrounded by rivers, canyons, plateaus and mountains, the area has more than 687,000 acres of open space.
The landscape is dramatically different from anywhere else in Colorado – bordered to the east by Grand Mesa, the largest residential area.
Attractions In Grand Junction Colorado
, and to the west by the Red Rock Canyon of Colorado National Monument. The mighty Colorado River joins the Gunnison River in the middle of the valley, hence the name Grand Junction. The area is part of the Great Circle, which has the largest concentration of national parks in America and is also located on the most popular AMTRAK route in the US.
Best Restaurants In Grand Junction, Co For 2023 (top Eats!)
Ranked fourth on National Geographic’s list of the most incredible parks, the canyons, canyons, hills, and sandstone formations of Colorado National Monument are often referred to as “mini-Canyons.” Many of the 11 canyons can be easily seen from Rim Rock Drive, a 23-mile National Historic Highway just minutes off I-70. A ride on the Monument Tail is a must to see the Statue of Independence, and riding the iconic Moon Ride on Rim Rock Drive is one of Colorado’s most unique riding experiences.
The McInnin Canyons National Conservation Area consists of 49,938 acres of rocky canyons, natural arches, hills, and niches carved into the Colorado Plateau, complemented by a tranquil 25-mile stretch of the Colorado River. The famous Kokopelli Trail, which stretches from the Grand Junction area to Moab, offers popular mountain biking opportunities in addition to countless hiking, horseback riding and off-road vehicle opportunities.
Grand Mesa, the largest flat mountain in the world, rises more than a mile above the valley floor and is located on the eastern edge of the Grand Junction area. With views that stretch nearly 100 miles on a clear day and more than 300 freshwater mountain lakes, Grand Mesa offers great opportunities for swimming, canoeing, paddling and kayaking. This magnificent alpine environment offers hundreds of kilometers of hiking, biking and cross-country skiing, as well as downhill and cross-country skiing. The Little Book Cliffs Wilderness Complex, located just eight miles northeast of Grand Junction, is one of three areas in the United States dedicated to the conservation and management of wild horses on public lands. About 80-130 wild horses roam in 14,568 hectares of the gorge. To see wild horses, you can organize horseback riding tours, which provide a unique opportunity to see these beautiful animals.
Grand Junction is one of Colorado’s top mountain biking destinations. For monorail fans, you can choose a leisurely ride or an epic adrenaline-filled ride. One of the most popular hikes is the start of the Tabeguache Trail, also known as the Noon Loops. Just outside the city, the routes were named by locals who may have run out of work and took the appropriate route over lunch. Unique River and Lake Adventures: The Colorado Jet Boat, the nation’s only jet boat, takes guests on a gentle or wild adventure on the Colorado River! Another water sport in the Grand Junction area is the Imondi Wake Zone, set to open in the summer of 2018. Dinosaur Museum, Trails and Excavations: For a Jurassic tour of Colorado, visit the Dinosaur Touring Museum and see real dinosaur bones being explored. experience a paleontology lab or a one-, three- or five-day dinosaur expedition at Mygate Moor. Walk one of three dinosaur trails in the Grand Junction area, where 140-million-year-old dinosaur bones can still be found in their natural state. A Trail Through Time, Riggs Hill, and Dinosaur Hill are well-maintained trails where people can enjoy a relatively easy one to 1.5 mile hike.
Grand Junction Activities: Slickrock Sojourn
Grand Junction is the perfect base camp for an agritourism adventure. Dive in and get your hands dirty
. Not only does the farm offer a “u-pick” experience, but the farmers teach visitors about the ins and outs of growing lavender. Several gardens also offer harvest. There is nothing better than biting into a juicy peach, straight from the tree! For animal lovers, visit the SunCrest Orchard Alpacas, where guests can see the animals up close and learn about the process of turning their wool into fiber and yarn at a factory that processes alpaca wool from former countries. as far away as China.
One of the top 10 wine tours of 2018. The Grand Junction area has 23 wineries with tasting rooms where you can still meet the owners and winemakers while sipping award-winning wine. Colorado Mountain Winefest was named the best wine festival in the country by USA Today. Six craft breweries are located in the Grand Junction area. Peach Street Distillery crafts local grains and fruits from the region into exceptional spirits and produces one of the top ten bourbons in the US, according to Time Out New York.
We use cookies to provide you with the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this website, we assume that you are satisfied with it. A well-kept secret, located between Madrid and La Guajira, Colombia, the Western Slope town is on The New York Times list of 52 places to visit in 2023 “with its many natural features, outdoor attractions, and vibrant downtown.” .
Local History Thursday: Spooky Stories Of Mesa County
Elaine Glusak, a New York Times travel writer who notes the area’s similarities to Moab, Utah, and Arches National Park, called Grand Junction “an abundance of canyons, arches, and mountains without the hordes of tourists.”
At 123,700 acres in the McInnis National Conservation Area, Rattlesnake Canyon has the second-highest concentration of natural archways in the United States, accessible by all-terrain vehicle or a 14-mile hike.
Also on the list are hiking trails in Colorado National Monument, about 10 minutes outside of town.
The Palisade Plunge — a mountain bike trail from the 10,000-foot summit of Grand Mesa to the Colorado River — opened in 2021, adding 31 miles and 2,000 feet of trail to the area’s offerings.
The Picture Show (grand Junction)
“All roads lead back to downtown Grand Junction,” Glusak wrote. “Full of shops, breweries, restaurants serving local cuisine and wine tasting rooms from local vineyards.”
The New York Times publishes its annual list of 52 places to go, and this year’s list includes London, Istanbul, New Haven, Connecticut, and Monument Valley.
“The recovery of the trip revealed the depth of our desire to explore the world,” the list reads. “Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? This year’s list includes all of these elements and more.”
Jacob Factor joined The Denver Post as a part-time news reporter in August 2022. In March 2023, he turned to more corporate projects and entertainment stories, focusing on public safety, local issues, the LGTBQ+ community, and other disadvantaged communities. Check out these 21 Grand Junction adventures you won’t find anywhere else. If you’ve completed your 2021 bucket list challenge, get started with the 22 best Grand Junction experiences for 2022!
Palisade/paonia/grand Junction Archives
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, you should definitely add Colorado National Monument to your bucket list. Part of the Colorado Plateau, the breathtaking landscape offers views that truly put Earth’s geological history into perspective – you’ll be amazed! See massive rock formations and rock monoliths as you drive along the 27-mile Rim Rock Drive. Watch out for wild animals! Deer, bighorn sheep and red hawks call these canyon walls home. With more than 40 miles of hiking trails through numerous canyons, some of which are 500 feet deep, there is something for everyone, from short hikes to full day hikes. After visiting, you’ll understand why it’s often called a national park you’ve never heard of! Colorado National Monument is part of the National Park Service (NPS), so prepare a park map or pick one up at the entrance.
If your idea of a good time involves plunging into the mountain woods, the Palisade Plunge is for you! The Plunge, which opens in the summer of 2021, is one of the longest runs in the country. This new trail runs from the summit of Grand Mesa, the largest flat mountain in the world, for 32 miles with a 6,000-foot descent to the Colorado River. Mix it up by hopping on the Powderhorn Connector to get to Powderhorn Mountain Resort (ski) and tear up the slopes while making good time while taking advantage of easy lift access.
Walk through lavender fields with the mountains as a backdrop at Colorado’s only lavender festival. The annual Colorado Lavender Festival is held less than 13 miles from downtown Grand Junction. Visit the lavender fields or attend workshops on growing the fragrant flower. There’s no shortage of lavender treats to eat, and you can shop a variety of local produce
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