3 Minute Read
Fall in Grand Junction offers some of the best leaf-peeping in Colorado. Thanks to the area’s temperate climate, the season begins after much of the state’s foliage has faded, and the vibrant colors linger for more than six weeks on average. Autumn here isn’t just about the scenery—it’s also about the experiences. Spend the day driving across the majestic Grand Mesa, cycling through the dramatic canyons of Colorado National Monument, bird-watching in quiet preserves, or strolling along the Colorado Riverfront Trail. Here are four unforgettable ways to take in the fall colors in the Grand Junction area.
1. Explore the Grand Mesa
Among Grand Junction's spectacular red cliffs and winding canyons, you can see the towering 10,000-foot Grand Mesa, the world’s largest flat-top mountain, bursting with more than 300 lakes. The Grand Mesa is a natural wonder as well as a year-round provider of recreation and incredible scenery. It offers some of the most fabulous fall foliage anywhere in Colorado. Experience vibrant scrub oak contrasting perfectly with the shimmering golden aspens while you traverse the Grand Mesa National Scenic and Historic Byway.
As you travel through the four major ecological zones on the 6,000 ft. climb, a number of pullouts along the way provide you an opportunity to observe the dramatic contrasts in the landscape. The Mesa encompasses more than 500 square miles and is graced with large forests of glowing aspens set against a deep green hue of pines, firs, and spruce - further adding to the kaleidoscope of color. For hiking enthusiasts, Crag Crest Trail offers the perfect high alpine hike atop the spine of the Grand Mesa, where you can see for miles. Hikers also enjoy wide-open views of the numerous alpine lakes along the way.
2. Bike or drive through the Colorado National Monument:
The National Park You Have Never Heard OfTM
Located just five miles from Downtown Grand Junction, Colorado National Monument (CNM) offers breathtaking views of the red-rock canyons and spires. The National Park Service (NPS) coins it as “The Heart of the World,” and many who visit often ask why it’s not a national park. If you want the answer, check out Colorado National Monument Association’s answer. At 7,000 feet, the CNM offers jaw-dropping views of towering red rock spires, canyons, and monoliths.
Drive or bike the 23-mile Rim Rock Drive through Colorado National Monument, where each overlook opens to sweeping views of the Grand Junction area below. In autumn, the city bursts with color—brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows from the dense tree canopy—set against 20,000 acres of towering sandstone and ancient granite-gneiss-schist formations carved by the Colorado River. You will see layers of rock that are over 1.7 billion years old (ancient gneiss and schist at the base are approximately 1.7 billion years) that have been carved over millions of years (canyons carved by the Colorado River, snowmelt, and erosion).
Numerous hiking trails like Serpents Trail are accessible directly from Rim Rock Drive. Unlike many NPS sites in the country, Colorado National Monument offers “trails less traveled,” so you will find the solitude you desire. CNM is even known as a “Grand Canyon dupe,” because of its very similar red-rock vistas, towering monoliths, and expansive canyon views.
3. Stroll along the Colorado River
Accessible from multiple points in town, the Colorado Riverfront Trail is a lovely stroll along the famous Colorado River. This 28-mile paved and flat trail hosts habitat for more than 200 species of birds, so bring your camera! Walk or bike through the paved Audubon Section of the Colorado Riverfront Trail for perfect viewing of the colorful landscape. The Audubon section is 1.4 miles of the trail that takes you alongside the Colorado River beneath a canopy of bright trees. It is also a tranquil setting for bird watching and spotting many other species of wildlife along the Colorado River.
4. Taste and sip your way through Grand Junction
Photo by: Pear Blossom Farms
The Grand Junction area is known as Colorado’s bread basket, due to the plethora of fruit stands, vineyards, orchards and farms, all nourished by the Colorado River and water from the Grand Mesa. Foodies and wine enthusiasts can experience fruit and wine tasting at any of the orchards located throughout the Grand Junction area any time of year, but fall is the opportunity to capture harvest photos - making it extra special. The Fruit and Wine Byway is an idyllic way to take in all the area has to offer and can be driven or biked. There are three routes you can choose from – all with a different distance and perfect for a scenic bike or car ride. The East Cruiser loop is 5 miles long, which starts and ends in downtown Palisade. The West Cruiser Loop is 7 miles long and takes you through Riverbend Park, including a variety of wineries. The East Orchard Mesa Loop is 25 miles long and includes orchards, vineyards, and wineries, as well as the best vistas of the area.
If you prefer to explore closer to Grand Junction, head over Two Rivers Winery & Chateau, nestled at the base of the Colorado National Monument. As you approach the chateau, you will feel like you were transported to a villa in France – the architecture of the chateau is palatial. As you drive down the long path, lush vineyards on either side of you escort you to the entrance. The walls of Colorado National Monument also jut up alongside the winery – it’s absolutely spectacular. They also have the most luxurious tasting room in the area, complete with couches, a fireplace, patio and of course an upscale bar you can sit at as well.
For more information on Grand Junction’s “4 Seasons of Outdoor Pursuits,” check out pages 30-31 of the Official Grand Junction Visitor Guide.