Have you heard the news? Adventure travel continues to be the fastest-growing travel trend. Travelers seeking unique experiences, a growing awareness of sustainable tourism and a clear shift towards a more active lifestyle have all contributed to a surge in the popularity of outdoor tourism. Similar trends have also been emerging in the U.S. for the past few years, with travelers seeking adventures and experiences that take them outside their comfort zone and broaden their horizons.
To that end, adventure vacations in Colorado stand out for their incredible mix of nature, experiences and culture. Outside magazine rates the Colorado Plateau as one of the best places to visit in the US for adventure and declared it the Public Land Winner.
Grand Junction, Colorado, is located near three of the state's most unique geological landscapes, known as Nature's Trifecta. The Colorado National Monument, Grand Mesa and Rattlesnake Arches are breathtaking geological formations that serve as the perfect playgrounds for outdoor recreation enthusiasts. Grand Junction is the starting point for your adventure vacation in Colorado. Outside magazine even recommends Grand Junction as the ideal base to explore the Colorado Plateau. The city also earned a spot in the New York Times "Top 52 Places to Go in 2023".
Here are three reasons why Grand Junction is the most popular Colorado adventure vacation hotspot:
- It is a year-round destination – Scenic hiking trails are dry all year round, so don’t throw your hiking boots in the back of your closet. The river flows through town and doesn’t freeze over in the winter due to Grand Junction’s temperate climate, so rafting and kayaking are popular during all four seasons. Sheer canyon walls from Colorado National Monument to the Millennium Falcon give climbers an escape when other areas of Colorado are too cold to climb comfortably. Mountain bikers are foregoing the crowded and expensive Moab, Utah, for a more approachable and affordable destination. Grand Junction has hundreds of miles of trails with the best connectivity in the state, so it's not uncommon to have a trail all to yourself.
- Activities for every kind of adventure enthusiast – Colorado National Monument has 43 miles of trails from easy to difficult – a perfect swap for the well-known Grand Canyon National Park. Lunch Loops is famous for having the most diverse mountain bike terrain in Colorado. Rated for experts only, the Palisade Plunge is a 32-mile single-track extreme downhill with over 6,000 feet in elevation descent. Fishing is a sportsman’s dream, from 300 lakes on the Grand Mesa National Forest to the Colorado River that traverses near Downtown Grand Junction.
- Excellent infrastructure – It’s hard to beat the combination of outdoor recreation activities and city amenities that Grand Junction offers. Accommodations include well-known brand hotels, affordable motels, upscale vacation homes, and spacious campgrounds. After a day of fun-filled adventures, you can unwind at sports bars, Irish taverns, farm-to-table restaurants, and boutique shopping in Downtown Grand Junction.
Top adventure activities to experience in Grand Junction, no matter the season – winter included!
Hiking in Colorado
Grand Junction offers endless hiking trails in awe-inspiring surroundings. Three unique and contrasting landscapes are a short drive away: the Colorado National Monument, the Grand Mesa, and Rattlesnake Arches. Walk through a wildflower meadow and past alpine lakes in Grand Mesa, or marvel at the magnificent red rock formations of the Colorado National Monument. For those seeking a challenge, the 7.4-mile trail takes you to some of the most striking natural arches of Rattlesnake Canyon, which is particularly rewarding. It’s the second-most arches in the world, so it’s worth checking out.
Mountain biking in Colorado
Photo: Aaron Theisen
Numerous scenic trails meander through the state's national parks and recreation areas, offering picturesque views. Families and beginners can opt for the short 1.7-mile Kid's Meal Loop at the base of the Colorado National Monument. Adventure seekers can head to the Lunch Loops, a rocky trail with steep drops and inclines, or the Palisade Plunge, one of the country's longest downhill-only mountain bike trails.
Rock climbing in Colorado
This is not for the faint of heart! Colorado’s majestic mountains and deep canyons provide the most jaw-dropping locales to experience some of the best rock climbing in the U.S. In Grand Junction, you can climb Unaweep Canyon's vertical granite walls or scale the iconic Independence Monument at the Colorado National Monument. A one-and-a-half-hour drive from Grand Junction will take you to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, a haven for experienced rock climbers, where imposing rock faces and the gushing Gunnison River create dramatic backdrops for thrilling climbs.
Off-roading in Colorado
With millions of acres of public land, off-roading in Colorado is one of the best ways to experience the state's natural beauty. With access to more than 1.6 million acres of public land, off-roaders can experience the thrill of using various off-highway vehicles (OHVs), such as dirt bikes, side-by-sides and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). From the rugged high-desert canyons of Bangs Canyon Management Area to the stunning high-mountain scenery of the Grand Mesa, your off-roading adventure will reach new heights like never before. Need help navigating? Check out the OHV trail map by Stay the Trail, which provides detailed information on all the trail systems in Colorado, including legal guidelines and helpful tips to enhance your off-roading adventure.
Photo: Adrenaline Driven Adventures
Grand Valley Open OHV Area and the many forest service roads on the Grand Mesa offer beginner and seasoned enthusiasts a variety of trails to ride through. Unaweep Canyon provides another beautiful setting to test your off-roading skills. Head to the Billings Canyon Trailhead for a variety of trails to explore, or check out the Easy Rider Trail for a dose of challenge and adventure.
Top Summer Adventure Activities in Grand Junction
Colorado River Rafting Trips
With plenty of rivers and the mighty Colorado River cutting through the state, Colorado River rafting trips are a great way to get an adrenaline rush. Closer to Grand Junction, the Ruby-Horsethief Canyon section of the Colorado River offers a 25-mile stretch of rolling Class 1 and Class 2 rapids. At the Westwater take-out in Utah, you have the option to continue on for Class 3 and Class 4 rapids. For a more laid-back river experience, try tubing or stand-up paddleboarding near Las Colonias Park in Grand Junction, rated as one of the top tubing spots in the US by Smithsonian magazine.
Downhill Mountain Biking in Colorado
During the summer season, Powderhorn Mountain Resort opens the ski lift for those looking to take on the Powderhorn Bike Park. Thrill-seeking mountain bikers can explore 13 miles of action-packed downhill trails between the aspens and pines. The trails are color-coded with four green trails for beginners, one blue trail for intermediate riders, and one black trail for expert riders. Only 45 minutes from Grand Junction, Powderhorn Bike Park provides an escape for those looking to enjoy some thrilling downhill rides while escaping the heat.
Gear up for A Wild Winter Adventure in Grand Junction
Skiing and Snowboarding in Colorado
It's no secret that Colorado is a skier's paradise. Dreamy powder, diverse trails catering to every skill level, and fabulous off-slope amenities make Colorado ski resorts some of North America's best places to ski. Located less than an hour from Grand Junction, Powderhorn Mountain Resort offers 1,600 acres of slopes for skiing and snowboarding. Private and small group lessons make the entire experience enjoyable for children and beginners. The resort also features two terrain parks that offer novice and advanced skiers and snowboarders the opportunity to polish their skills. For a unique experience, try backcountry or Nordic-style skiing in the Grand Mesa to fully experience the magic of Colorado’s sublime winters.
Snowmobiling in Colorado
Snowmobiling enthusiasts trek to the Grand Mesa, a wide open plateau where carving your own track is limitless. The 123-mile Sunlight to Powderhorn Trail, also known as "The SP Trail" for short, is a popular snowmobiling trail that is marked with green reflectors to assist locals and guests with navigation. The Uncompahgre Plateau provides steady and adventurous trails like Dry Creek Trail and a 1.9-mile Dave Wood Bypass Trail, which is also used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Before you embark on your adventure, be sure to check current trail conditions and avoid extreme winter weather. Downloading a map from COTREX or AllTrails will help you stay on track!
In Grand Junction, the adventure doesn’t end here-discover a variety of activities, including horseback riding, fishing, and stargazing. Find a complete list of fun and thrilling outdoor adventures you can experience in Grand Junction here. Downtown Grand Junction offers a charming blend of eclectic restaurants, boutique shops, and educational museums and science centers. Plan your visit to Grand Junction today and experience all this vibrant area has to offer!
Discover more ways to experience Grand Junction and explore the Official Grand Junction Visitor Guide.