Grand Junction Official Visitor Guide - Grand Junction Colorado Adventure Guide
Float, Raft & Splash
2019-05-02 06:47:24
Float, Raft & Splash: GRAND JUNCTION’S WATERS
Grand Junction’s hundreds of lakes and miles of rivers are perfect for a bounty of aquatic pursuits. In fact, the area is a watersports haven for whitewater rafting, stand-up paddleboarding, floating, fishing and much more.
COLORADO RIVER JET BOATING
For the thrill of your life, book a New Zealand-style jet boat tour on the Colorado River with Jet Boat Colorado. You’ll fishtail, speed run and power slide your way to a pure adrenaline rush while a knowledgeable guide takes your family on a tour of the waterway on their custom jet boat Wild Mustang. Experience the famous wet-and-wild “Cowboy Spin,” but if you’re not up for getting drenched, opt for a scenic tour and enjoy a milder (and drier) ride. Book early — summer tours get snatched up fast!
Find more splash-worthy adventures at VisitGrandJunction.com/WaterActivities.
GRAND MESA NATIONAL FOREST
The Grand Mesa is the largest flattop mountain in the world, boasting more than 300 lakes and 3,600 miles of tributaries overflowing with fantastic trout fishing and water sports. Try Bull Creek Reservoirs (#1 and #2), which offer opportunities to catch rainbow, cutthroat and brown trout. If you enjoy motoring across smooth-as-glass water, check out Sunset, Griffith or Glacier lakes. But if you want to explore in a canoe or kayak, visit Forty Acre Lake, Kitson Reservoir or Rimrock Lake, where the paddling is pristine since motorized boats are prohibited.
JAMES M. ROBB COLORADO RIVER STATE PARK
This 35-mile park stretches like a strand of pearls, with each section specifically designed to cater to distinct interests. Stop first at Island Acres, best if you’re traveling west on I-70. Take a swim in the lake amid the area’s distinct landscape of ribbed plateaus. This area is also home to Colorado’s Wine Country, and Palisade River Trips, offering relaxing ways to soak in views of the growing region. If you’re looking for a river launch, the best location is Connected Lakes. It’s an idyllic spot for boats and rafts and offers a pier for those looking to do a little warm-water fishing.
HIGHLINE LAKE STATE PARK & MACK MESA LAKE
Located a half hour away from Downtown Grand Junction, Highline Lake State Park’s two lakes have plenty of room for you to enjoy the thrill of racing past fellow jet skiers or notch it down for a relaxing kayak excursion. Head to Mack Mesa Lake for paddleboarding and cold- and warm-water fishing. If you’re looking for an SUP tour, check out Grand Junction Stand Up Paddle Boarding Co.’s lessons, rentals and SUP yoga.
RUBY-HORSETHIEF CANYON
If getting off the beaten path is more your drink of water, visit the 25-mile stretch of the Colorado River that runs from Loma, Colorado, to Westwater, Utah. The Ruby-Horsethief section of the river is calm with occasional mild rapids encased in magnificent redrock canyons. Bring your camera to photograph bighorn sheep, bald eagles and the canyons that envelop you as you float down the river. Want to leave the gear and planning to someone else? Book a trek with Rimrock Adventures in nearby Fruita.
New in GJ
Plan an excursion with Centennial Canoe Outfitters to glide along the Colorado River and camp on the shore, or learn how to wakeboard using a unique cable system at Imondi Wake Zone in Fruita.
Did You Know?
Since it’s rare for so many lakes and reservoirs to be found so close together at such a high elevation, the Grand Mesa is a true treasure. And the national forest’s 10,000-foot altitude means cooler temps in the summer, making the 300 lakes a stellar retreat from the heat.
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