Visit Grand Junction, Colorado
Surrounded by some of the most fantastic – and fantastical – landscapes on the continent. The richly tinted desert landscape, the high mesas and the lush rivers combine to make the valley a magical place. You can ski in the morning on the Grand Mesa riding lifts at Powderhorn resort and ride mountain bikes in the afternoon at the Lunch Loops. The temperate climate also boasts abundant fruit tree orchards, vegetable farms and an increasingly fruitful wine industry.
Grand Junction was originally named after the Grand River which has since been re-named the Colorado River. The meeting of the Gunnison River with the Colorado gave the town it’s name while the valley is still called the Grand Valley. The rivers flow right through the middle of town providing a burst of nature and a scenic retreat from the bustling city that Grand Junction has become.
Things to do Places to See – Grand Junction
Off to the west of the city, where the desert gets serious, visitors encounter jutting spires, enormous domes and yawning, mysterious canyons of the awesome Colorado Monument, but just a short drive to the southeastern hem of the city is the much cooler, much higher pine and aspen forested wilderness of Grand Mesa, the largest flattop mountain in the world.
Oh, and to the north is a moonscape of weathered rock known as the Book Cliffs due to the layered sediments that make it look like a library shelf.
You’ll find much in the way of water sports – there’s plenty of fishing both on the Mesa and the Gunnison; the Colorado is great for guided white water raft trips that can be expanded to include kayaking.
Mountain biking is unparalleled no matter which direction you go. Just across the river from downtown is the area known as the Lunch Loops which provide a number of quick riding option as well as the much larger Edge loop which can challenge any rider. To the west of town is Fruita which has excellent riding at 18 Road up against the Bookcliffs and Ruby Canyon a little further west with great singletrack at both venues. The hiking around Grand Junction is likewise an adventure waiting while you to lace your boots; horseback riding can take you through lush forests atop the Mesa or into a shadow-filled canyon. Climbing enthusiasts will enjoy nearby rock climbing, mountain climbing, bouldering, canyoneering – the challenges change with the topography.
And don’t forget you can get off the beaten path and go four-wheeling and motorcross riding through the high desert terrain as well.
The surrounding area has multiple opportunities for adventure check out West Slope travel destinations for more of what to do around the Grand Valley and for more ideas of what to do around the state check out our Summer Vacation Planner to plan out your summer vacation.
Grand Junction Business District
Downtown is a charming mix of old and new, Western and college town. There are enough restaurants to give you ample choices in cuisine and appointment; shopping is just as adventurous as you might expect in a town that continues to spread its wings culturally. It’s eclectic but, at the same time, reassuringly peaceful – a mix of culture and outdoor activity flare.
Music at Colorado Mesa University is a series of more than three dozen concerts; the Math & Science Center features more than 150 interactive exhibits geared for kids; Western Colorado Center for the Arts features exhibits and educational programs; and you can cheer on the boys of summer at a Grand Junction Rockies Minor League baseball game!
Grand Junction offers a little bit of something for everyone and with such a big wide open valley a little space for everyone too. Come for the mild climate and stay for the recreational opportunities and the convenience of a well appointed city. Grand Junction is easy to get around in and has a great variety of activities, a place where you can do a lot all in one day.
