Colorado is known for mud season, the season where winter winds down and spring hasn’t quite taken hold yet. However, Grand Junction, on the western side of the state, launches right into the spring season starting the first week of March! Tulips and daffodils are already growing above the ground and begin blooming the second week of March. It’s the high desert climate that creates the perfect conditions.
Aside from great weather, Grand Junction offers a wide range of spring activities, so now is the perfect time to visit! Slip on some sneakers and enjoy dry desert trails for a hike with majestic views, explore plants and history as the two come together at the Ute Learning Garden, fuel up with fresh seasonal ingredients, and slow down and be present in nature while casting a line.
Spring Hiking
Photo by: Nick Bietz
Temperatures in Grand Junction average around 55 degrees Fahrenheit in March and 60 degrees Fahrenheit in April, so spring hikes are a super popular activity due to the temperate weather. Colorado National Monument (CNM), often referred to as the “mini-Grand Canyon,” offers dramatic red rock canyons contrasting with the bluebird skies and pops of color with red, orange, and yellow cacti flowers. In the spring, the herds of bighorn sheep are accompanied by fluffy babies! The herds migrate and can often be seen from the trails or Rim Rock Drive, a 23-mile road with over 19 overlooks and pull-outs. Drive slow and cautiously, as the baby lambs and their mommas are often along the side of the road and also cross the road.
The Black Ridge Trail starts from the Saddlehorn Visitor Center, which is a great spot to stop and fill up your water bottles, get a souvenir and learn about the history of the Colorado National Monument. The route is a moderate, 11-mile round trip that presents stunning views of Wedding Canyon, and a spring hike comes with the added benefit of blooming wildflowers. It’s one of the most highest and expansive hikes in CNM and is popular for both hiking and horseback riding.
No Thoroughfare Canyon Trail is a great option for experts. For the most extreme hike, over 9 miles one-way, start in Glade Park and hike down to Devil’s Kitchen Picnic Area. There are several waterfalls along the trail that will be starting to thaw out, and no time of year is better than spring for seeing the most flowing water. The trail is called No Thoroughfare for a reason; it’s recommended to bring plenty of water, snacks, and download a map before trekking out. This is the type of trail that is best accompanied with a friend. Navigation can be difficult at times, keep a look out for cairns. For a less demanding hike, park at Devil’s Kitchen Picnic Area and hike 2.5 miles to the first waterfall. You can then turn back and explore as you wish – there are a few side routes you can take to make the hike back different and interesting.
Ute Learning Garden
Photo by: Lauren Ratzloff
Spring is the perfect time of year to visit the Ute Learning Garden, which brings together a wide variety of native plants found in various Grand Junction ecosystems that have historically been used by the Ute people. The ethnobotanical garden contains important plants for the Utes, offering hikers a unique look into the life of the Ute tribe in this region, focusing on their relationships with plants and animals in these ecosystems. The garden is free and open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset.
Seasonal Fare
Grand Junction is a foodie’s paradise, with local restaurants offering a wide range of cuisines. Dining establishments take advantage of the abundant local produce that comes from nearby farms. Devil’s Kitchen, atop Hotel Maverick, always uses local, fresh produce, so the Apple Butter Seared Salmon, made with spinach, fennel-radish slaw, and saffron rice in a maple whole-grain mustard sauce, is a great pick. For dessert, try their Apricot Honey Chocolate Cake or the Cherry Peach Ginger Streusel. Other restaurants that showcase the flavors of the Grand Junction area include Bin 707 Foodbar, Tacoparty, The Rockslide Brew Pub, Café Sol, and The Winery.
Photo by: Carlson's Vineyard
Beer lovers and wine enthusiasts also enjoy the Colorado springtime. As the days get longer, you can unwind at many of Grand Junction’s local wineries and breweries. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon at Carlson’s Vineyards Downtown Tasting Room and sip on locally grown and made wines. Afterwards, head over to Trail Life Brewing and fuel your body with their Massaman Katsu Curry, Chicken katsu on jasmine rice and Massaman curry, topped with furikake and pair it with a glass of The Mountaineer IPA. Trail Life Brewing has a large patio, so this is the perfect spot to get a little more sunshine and watch the bustle of Downtown while watching the sun set.
The season of Spring brings new things, and Grand Junction’s culinary scene is too. Tiki Bird, will open sometime in April. The owners of Pêche, located in Palisade, are bringing a new innovative concept to Grand Junction. The owners have been documenting the entire build-out process, rolling up their sleeves and crafting the space by hand, from learning how to epoxy their own tabletops to transforming the interior piece by piece. While the full concept is still under wraps, guests can expect the same dedication to quality and hospitality that made Pêche a local favorite. Junction Square Italian Restaurant is stepping into an exciting new chapter this spring with a move to Rood Street. At its new location, expect the same comforting Italian flavors that have made Junction Square a local favorite since 1977. House-made pasta, classic pizzas, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Photo by: Jessie Unruh
This is the perfect time to stroll Downtown and walk off a few calories. There are a few new shops that have opened in Downtown recently, and one that is especially exciting is West Wind Gallery. Step inside and take your time exploring the collection, where striking works from talented artists are expertly displayed throughout the shop. Thoughtfully designed and warmly lit, the space highlights each piece with beautiful lighting that draws your eye from one work to the next. It’s the kind of place where you can slow down, admire the details, and leave feeling inspired.
Hit the Greens
Mild, dry weather makes it possible to play golf year-round in Grand Junction. However, spring can be the perfect time to hit the green, with nature in full bloom and birdsong joining the fun. Did you know that Colorado’s higher altitudes can even add a few yards to your drive? That’s because the air is thinner, giving less resistance to the ball. Lincoln Park Golf Course is perfect for a quick 9, located only 10 minutes from Downtown Grand Junction, while Tiara Rado Golf Course showcases the beauty of Grand Junction with CNM’s dramatic red rock cliffs hovering over the course.
Fishing
If you are looking to slow down and enjoy being present in nature for your spring bucket list, cast a line and enjoy fishing in the sunshine. The Grand Junction area has two major rivers, over 300 alpine lakes, state parks with over a dozen lakes and ponds, and many streams and tributaries that provide opportunities to catch a wide variety of fish species. If you don’t have an updated fishing license, check out the Colorado Parks and Wildlife page to grab one before heading out. Rivers and lakes are well stocked, so it’s pretty easy to catch something if you drop a line and practice patience.
Spring is the ideal season for catching trout in the Colorado River and Gunnison River due to the species’ fondness for spring spawning runs. Some snow may still be present on the Grand Mesa’s 300 lakes, which are at a higher elevation, so bundle up and drop a line shoreside surrounded by forests and wildflowers that are beginning to bud. Read our guide to fly fishing in Grand Junction for more practical information.
Visiting Grand Junction This Spring
Planning a trip to Grand Junction this spring? Browse the Visit Grand Junction events calendar to see what’s happening, and take a look at the digital Official Grand Junction Visitor Guide to learn more about the region! You can also request the beautiful magazine be mailed to you, at no cost! Bonus – there are no ads in the Grand Junction Visitor Guide.