Things to Do in Grand Junction, Colorado
Imagine this - you’re on a road trip to Moab from Denver. Or from Denver to Salt Lake. Or from Denver to Durango. And your GPS takes you through a city called “Grand Junction”. It doesn’t look like anything spectacular from your drive through so you think nothing of it.
Until you see this blog post.
And realize that Grand Junction is one of the coolest cities in Colorado. Because we sit at an elevation that considers us “high desert” we have very mild winters and very hot summers. Our seasons even differ from Denver and the mountains, winter is December and January, spring is February-May, summer is June-September, and fall is October and November! That means while its still 30 degrees in Denver in February, it’s typically in the 50s out here which means - perfect hiking weather!-
We’re known for the epic mountain biking trails that traverse from up on the Grand Mesa, down to Fruita, as well as the vineyards and orchards that produce most of Colorado’s wine, as well as the famous Palisade peaches.
Things to do in Grand Junction, Colorado: Hike the Grand Mesa
The Grand Mesa is the largest flat top mountain ~ in the world ~ and is just an hour drive from Grand Junction. You get a stunning view of the city from the top of the mesa, as well as pine and aspen forests to play in. There are hundreds of lakes up on the mesa that allows fishing, paddle boarding, you name it! One of my favorite things about the Grand Mesa, outside of the stunning fields of wildflowers that liter the flat tops is the temperature difference between the Mesa and the valley below. While it reaches 100 on the regular in Grand Junction in the summer, on the Mesa it is always a guaranteed 20 degrees cooler.
Spring
Spring is typically mud season up on the Grand Mesa as snow doesn’t begin melting in the spring at 10,000+ feet until late May and into June.
Summer
Summer is one of my favorite times to go up to the Grand Mesa: there are the amazing wildflower fields that cover the mesa top and trails that bloom from July to early August, as well as countless lakes to swim and SUP in, 4x4 roads to explore, hikes to get you to some cool far off the beaten path lakes, camping either dispersed or on developed campgrounds, and so much more.
Fall
Fall is popular on the Grand Mesa, especially “Color Sunday”, typically the 3rd Sunday in September when everyone drives up to see the Aspen trees at peak fall (those dreamy gold aspens!).
Winter
While less busy in the winter, the Grand Mesa is still popular for winter activities like ice fishing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and more. Because it has groomed nordic trails, it is one of the better outdoor destinations with snow within an hour of Grand Junction and surrounding cities.
Best Hikes on the Grand Mesa:
Mesa Lakes, 2.8 miles RT loop w/ 400 feet elevation change
Lost Lake, 3.5 miles RT out and back w/ 430 feet elevation change
Crag Crest National Recreation Trail, 10.3 mile loop w/ 1550 feet elevation change
Can also take a short out and back to a cool over look of Wolverine Lake
Lake of the Woods, 9 mile out and back w/ 940 feet elevation change
Grand Mesa Skyway, 5 mile loop w/ 200 feet elevation change (also a great place to snowshoe or cross country ski)
Island Lake, 2 miles out and back w/ 100 feet elevation change
2. Things to do in Grand Junction: Explore downtown
One of my favorite things about Grand Junction is hands down all of the stunning locally owned shops that line our downtown. Amazing plant stores that sell rare and highly sought after plants, to record stores that have been owned by the same family since it opened 80 years ago.
Downtown Grand Junction spans about 4 blocks and then entire area is walkable, especially in the summer during the downtown farmers markets when local farmers and vendors line the streets selling their local crafts, produce, and other hand made goods!
Some of my favorite stores downtown include:
Pinque Boutique
Stray Wild
Triple Play Records
A Robins Nest of Antiques
Carlson Vineyard Tasting Room
Enstrom Candy
Omnia Contemporary Gallery
Annelise Bridal Boutique
Loki
Hill People Gear Shop
Out West Books
Mutual Friends
Toasted Pixie
Hog and Hen
3. Things to do in Grand Junction, Colorado: Explore Colorado National Monument
Colorado National Monument is a 10 miles stretch of road that runs east from Grand Junction, to the west of Fruita. It offers overlooks, slot canyons, and views for miles. There are hikes for those who only have a short amount of time or longer hikes that span the canyon for those looking to stretch their legs a little longer.
Some of my favorite hikes in Colorado National Monument are:
Devils Kitchen - a moderate hike to a rock outcropping at 1.5 miles RT and 325 feet of gain as you climb up slick rock. The hike begins hiking downhill, then gradually flattens out before it heads up the side of the sandstone.
Liberty Cap - this hike from the base of Colorado National Monument into the cliffs and up the side of the Mesa that most of the monument sits on starts at around 4,700 feet above sea level, and climbs up over a 1,100 feet in elevation over 3 miles before reaching its namesake; a giant stone rock sculpture crafted by none other than mother nature herself.
Monument Canyon Loop - one of my favorite spring trails, monument canyon loop is a 4.5 mile round trip loop that gains around 750 feet in elevation. Halfway through the loop it tops out at the base of Independence Monument: one of the more well known statures in Colorado National Monument.
Serpents Trail - this 3.4 mile out and back trail climbs up the east entrance to Colorado National Monument - and when I say climbs up, I really mean switchbacks up over 780 feet in elevation gain. But it offers stunning views of both the monument and the road that winds up, as well as the city below. If I remember correctly, Serpents Trail was the old road into the monument before the one we have now was constructed and paved.
4. Things to do in Grand Junction: Hike
Little Book Cliffs Wilderness Study Area - this desolate little slice of Grand Junction is actually home to the wild horses that call the Book Cliffs home. My favorite trail is Coal Canyon that is a relatively flat hike of 452 feet over 6 miles.
Palisade Rim - Palisade rim climbs up 600 feet over 3.3 miles but what I love about this trail is that it is so gorgeous, you hardly even notice you’re moving uphill. It has stunning views as you top out on the rim of Mount Garfield and the Book Cliffs, as well as of the orchards and vineyards in Palisade below.
Mount Garfield - Mount Garfield is one of the landmarks of Grand Junction and sits north of i70 as you drive through Palisade. While the trailhead is a little tucked away (Palisade exit, down a dirt road, under a bridge), this trail is not for the faint of heart. At 1.9 one way and 3.8 miles RT, it climbs almost 2,000 feet in two miles up steep sandy edges with some serious drop offs.
Mica Mines - this is a perfect family hike as it is around 290 feet of elevation gain over 2.6 miles, so fairly flat. It ends at a mine covered in Mica, a shiny pearly crystal like mineral.
Big Dominguez Canyon - the perfect spring and fall backpacking trail, Big Dominguez Canyon is a 12 mile out and back trail that gains about 1,100 feet total. It crosses over railroad tracks, across rivers, past waterfalls, petroglyphs, and more. If you’re on the first part of the trail long enough, you might even be lucky enough to see a train come through the canyon!
Skinner Cabin Trail - this 1.8 mile trail climbs up south Fruita over 100 feet to an old cabin. This is another great family hike, as you can take side trails to make the hike longer.
Mee Canyon Trail - Mee Canyon is actually accessed through Glade Park and is an amazing hike through arches and canyons to an amazing cave. The hike is entirely downhill, and involves climbing down sandstone cliff ledges and ladders so it is definitely not for the faint of heart or those afraid of heights!
Devils Canyon Area - This area is a variety of loops and trails that is accessible from Devils Canyon Road in Fruita. It is a popular local spot that allows off leash dogs and allows you to tailor your hike to your ability!
5. Best Places to Eat in Grand Junction
While we’re no Denver, we do have a few locally owned restaurants.
Best Breakfast / Brunch Spots:
Dream Cafe
Sweet Kiwi Bakery
Kiln Coffee
Copeka Coffee
Pressed Palisade
Main Street Bagels
Purple Cow Palisade
Best Lunch and Dinner Spots:
Cafe Sol
Taco Party
Hot Tomato
13 Brix Cider Bistro
Bin 707
Bin Burger
Warehouse 25 Sixty Five
Peche
626 on Rood
Best Wineries and Distilleries:
Carlson Vineyards Taproom
Highlands Distillery
Monumental Beer Works
Edgewater Brewery
Palisade Brewing Company
Peach Street Distillery
Kannah Creek Brewing
6. Things to do in Grand Junction: Support and buy from local artists
One of my favorite things about Grand Junction is the amazing and supportive art community. There are SO many of us out here and gosh dangit I just have the most talented friends and community! Some local wares you can pick up along shops on downtown Main street, but here are a few other locals to check out.
Lori Ruiz - water color and american west inspired paintings
Heidi Ruckman Art - ink and pencil artist
Stray Wild - land and nature inspired works
Bare Bones Creative Co - mushrooms, crystals, creatures and other oddities
Dark Moon - mala necklaces and gemstone jewelry
Agave & Pine Co - scroll saw artist
