FALL

Hiking

There are countless places to catch a glimpse of the brilliant fall colors on the Grand Mesa, but it’s hard to top the 11-mile Crag Crest Trail — literally. High atop the mesa at a dizzying 11,170 feet, Crag Crest gives you a bird’s-eye view of mountainsides gilded with shimmering aspens. Find more hiking trails on page 16 and at VisitGrandJunction.com/HikingTrails.

Hunting

The Grand Junction area is a mecca for big game and big birds, starting at the Uncompahgre Plateau all the way to the White River and Gunnison National Forests. Hunting season for elk, pronghorn, deer, moose, desert bighorn sheep and other game runs from September through mid-November, while winter brings scores of ducks and geese to the Colorado River.

Fishing

FUN FACT: Grand Junction is named for the convergence of the Colorado and Gunnison rivers — two fantastic spots for trout fishing in our crisp-yet-sunny fall weather. The high-elevation lakes and streams of the Grand Mesa are also great destinations. Learn more about hunting and fishing at VisitGrandJunction.com/HuntingFishing.

Before setting out on your hunting or fishing excursion, you’ll need to obtain the proper license from Colorado Parks and Wildlife — either online at Cpw.state.co.us, or at CPW’s local offices and license vendors around the state.

Skiing & Snowboarding

As Snow’s Perfect State™, we don’t need to remind you that Colorado is a winter-sports wonderland, but we never tire of talking up Powderhorn Mountain Resort. The Grand Mesa resort averages 250 inches of light, dry powder each year and boasts some of the best glade skiing in the state. Powderhorn is affordable and only 45 minutes from Grand Junction.

Snowmobiling

Have a need for speed? Get your motor running on the Sunlight to Powderhorn Trail. This 120-mile route runs from Sunlight Mountain outside of Glenwood Springs to Powderhorn Mountain on the Grand Mesa, with spectacular mountain backdrops and access to an additional 180 miles of trails along the way. Don’t have a snow machine? Fret not, there are many rental shops to choose from.

Cross Country Skiing & Snowshoeing

The heavy snowfall and flat-top mountain terrain of the Grand Mesa National Forest make it a shoe-in for cross-country skiing, skate skiing and snowshoeing, thanks in large part to the Grand Mesa Nordic Council, which maintains 31 miles of glorious, groomed trails. Like to go off-piste? Pristine, ungroomed backcountry skiing is also available on the mesa. Find more winter activities in Grand Junction at VisitGrandJunction.com/Blog/Snow-Much-Fun-Grand-Junction.

Follow the Locals

“The unsurpassed access to public lands coupled with convenient and beautiful drives to nearby destinations like Moab, Steamboat Springs, Telluride, Aspen, and Glenwood Springs, makes Grand Junction an ideal place to thrive as a student while exploring the benefits of the great outdoors. The younger generation loves the western side of Colorado and so do I.”

— Sarah Shrader, Program Director, Colorado Mesa University Outdoor Recreation Industry Studies and Owner, Bonsai Design

SPRING

Road & Mountain Biking

Choose between sweeping views of Rim Rock Drive at Colorado National Monument, ridgeline rides of 18 Road or the ultra-technical twists and turns of Lunch Loops — Grand Junction is blessed with some of the best cycling in the world. Come springtime, the region plays host to a number of biking events, like the Grand Enduro and the Grand Junction Rides & Vibes.

Birding

Better bring your binoculars: The Riverfront Trail System is home to the 1.5-mile Audubon Section, just across the Colorado River from Downtown Grand Junction. Paved and perfect for hiking or biking, the trail offers delightful opportunities to spot blue heron, osprey, hawks and more. Discover more at VisitGrandJunction.com/Spring.

SUMMER

Golfing

If your idea of a great day on the links includes immaculately groomed greens and red-rock canyons rising in the distance, you’ll love playing golf in Grand Junction. Tiara Rado and Redlands Mesa (rated the No. 1 Course in Colorado by Golfweek) afford golfers with stunning vistas of Colorado National Monument, while breathtaking views of the sandstone Book Cliffs and other surrounding mountain ranges can be found at Chipeta and Lincoln Park golf courses. Learn more at VisitGrandJunction.com/Golf.

Camping

In the height of summer, temperatures stay cool on top of the Grand Mesa. Pitch your tent high above the heat at Island Lake or Ward Lake campgrounds, both at 10,000 feet and where you can enjoy wildflower hikes and top-notch lake fishing. Alternatively, the grassy, shaded Book Cliffs Campground at Highline Lake State Park in Loma is the perfect home base for all types of water recreation, including swimming, kayaking and bass fishing. Find more campsites at VisitGrandJunction.com/Campsites.

Whitewater Rafting

The Colorado River runs just south of Downtown Grand Junction, but it’s the Westwater Canyon stretch — about 30 miles down the river — where the region’s most popular whitewater rafting trips commence. Connect with a local outfitter (see listings on page 52) to book an epic day on the water and learn more at VisitGrandJunction.com/Rafting.

A DIFFERENT SIDE OF COLORADO

DISCOVER A DIFFERENT SIDE OF COLORADO

Winter in Grand Junction looks different than the rest of Colorado. Thanks to Grand Junction’s temperate climate, 300+ days of sunshine and easy accessibility, you can enjoy your favorite summer activities while still having access to the world-renowned snow sports that Colorado is known for. When most people think of a Colorado winter, they conjure up images of busy ski towns and high-end resorts. While Grand Junction does get snow like the rest of the state, providing for a quintessential ski vacation at Powderhorn Mountain Resort, it’s much more affordable in Grand Junction so you can justify saying another night or two!

HIKING & BIKING

While Grand Junction is known for its excellent hiking and biking opportunities during the summer months, winter is one of the best times of the year to get out and explore the area because of the cool and comfortable weather. Hike in sneakers while exploring the Colorado National Monument’s 43 miles of trails framed by steep canyon walls and spires jutting up to the sky. For an easy and rewarding hike, check out Canyon Rim Trail. This beginner-level trail offers scenic vistas of the canyon and is perfect for the kiddos. For your two-wheeled winter adventure, the Lunch Loops mountain biking area is a local favorite as residents leave downtown on their lunch break for a quick spin. The Big Sister loop is an excellent trail for intermediate mountain bike riders who are looking for some technical sections to add variety to their ride.

WINTER WONDERLAND

The best part about a Grand Junction winter is that you can go from hiking and biking to enjoying all the Colorado snow sports you expect with just a short 45-minute drive from Grand Junction to the Grand Mesa, the largest flat-top mountain in the world. After taking exit 49 to highway 65 from interstate 70 east, the road is an easy drive and is well-maintained during the winter months. With an average of 250 inches of snow per year, the Grand Mesa is bursting with winter sport opportunities. As you ascend to the top of the Grand Mesa, you will pass by Powderhorn Mountain Resort, which offers affordable pristine skiing and snowboarding - all without the crowds. Combine that with three professionally groomed cross-country ski areas, dozens of easily accessible lakes to ice fish on and miles of snowshoe trails. The Grand Mesa is the perfect place to get your Colorado winter fix and dogs are welcome!

OFF-ROAD FUN

Year-Round Dirt

With hundreds of roads and trails to power your engines on, there are unlimited options to enjoy your off-highway vehicle (OHV) on, including your side-by-side, ATV, dirt bike and four-wheel drive. Many of the trails are open year-round.

Popular Trails

Access points around Grand Junction offer over 480,000 acres of public lands that are open to OHV travel. Trails in OHV areas zig-zag back and forth across the striking landscape. Bangs Canyon and Rabbit Valley Recreation Area are two popular OHV areas in Grand Junction. The Grand Mesa and North Fruita Desert are also fun areas that offer a labyrinth of trails.

Single Track

For avid dirt bike riders looking for single track, you will be surprised by the network of trails available in the Grand Junction area – check out Third Flats. We’ve all heard of Moab, but there is vastly more single track here. Bring your own machinery or rent from several businesses who carry a wide range of inventory.

PALISADE PLUNGE

One-Of-A-Kind Descent

Plunge from the top of the Grand Mesa National Forest for 32 miles of downhill single-track adrenaline-pumping action. The Plunge trail connects the top of the Grand Mesa to the valley with 6000 feet in elevation descent through pristine public lands.

Rooted in History

The route connects a variety of trails on top of the Grand Mesa which are steeped in history. John Otto forged new paths more than a century ago. Otto was a local explorer who was Colorado National Monument’s first custodian, and was the main advocate for getting the Monument recognized as part of the National Park System.

Scenery

The single-track trail winds through aspen groves, alpine forests and high desert, some of which has long been unused for hundreds of years, except by 4th generation ranchers and their cattle.

Expert

Yes, you read that right! This singletrack is not for the faint of heart. There is no exit route, so once you commit, you’re all in. Pack at least 2.5 gallons of water per person.

POWDERHORN

Cool Vibe

Colorado is known for its huge resorts and high-end mountain villages, but the smaller ski resorts continue to upstage the pretentious atmosphere of the well-known ski areas. Affordable, family-friendly, no I-70 traffic jam (just 45 minutes from Grand Junction) and a comfortable vibe is why Powderhorn is the hip place to hit the slopes.

Powder

On average 250 inches of white fluffy snow blankets this ski resort which offers 1,600 feet of elevation gain and access to over 60 runs with 20 percent green, 50 percent blue and 30 percent black. Bear Claw, Mudslide, and Cannonball are a few favorites. From the top of the mountain, you can access an abundance of backcountry runs.

Tree Skiing

Another quality that sets Powderhorn apart is the tree skiing. Much of the resort is covered with pine trees and dense aspen groves, making for unique powder-filled runs. Some of the best tree skiing on the mountain is accessed from the West End lift.