In Grand Junction, spring arrives earlier than the rest of Colorado. By the second week of March, tulips and daffodils are already in full bloom, adding vibrant color to the landscape while many mountain towns are still thawing from the winter. Meander through downtown to admire more than 115 outdoor sculptures lining the streets, surrounded by vibrant flowers bursting with color. Traveling with kids? Several sculptures feature interactive elements designed for hands-on fun. For even more creativity, stop by the Art Center to explore rotating collections that adorn five galleries with traditional and contemporary exhibits. When hunger strikes, grab a sandwich at The Hog and The Hen, and treat yourself to nostalgic candy or an old-fashioned soda from The Candytime Shoppe.
Looking to hit the trail? Here are several spring hikes where wildflowers start to bloom across the desert landscape.
Mica Mine Trail
This easy 3-mile hike begins in the Bangs Canyon Trailhead which is only 15 minutes from Downtown. There are many contrasts on this peaceful trail, both with flora and the striking canyon landscape that shifts from rugged rock walls to sweeping desert vistas alongside a stream that runs in the early spring. This is one of the reasons it’s a popular dog hike. As you stroll through sagebrush, desert trees, and blossoming wildflowers, the trail begins to sparkle as you approach the mine. It’s Mica, which looks like small pieces of mirror reflecting along the path. It’s the perfect reward to the end of the trail before you turn around and head back to where you began. Follow the silver brick road!
Serpents Trail
Explore the Colorado National Monument with challenging 3.8 mile hike on the “Most Crooked Road in the World”. Winding through dramatic red rock cliffs and desert wildflowers, the trail traces the original route used to access the Monument prior to Rim Rock Road being built, rewarding hikers with panoramic vistas and ever-changing canyon scenery. Red cactus start to pop up in the spring season, so keep an eye out for lively color.
No Thoroughfare Canyon
Pair vibrant wildflowers with cascading waterfalls as you hike deep into this remote canyon. True to its name, this 10-mile strenuous route is not an easy trail to navigate, particularly if you start at the top from the Glade Park plateau and make your way to Devil's Kitchen in Colorado National Monument. This is a long, one-way trek best tackled as a point-to-point hike. Park one vehicle in Glade Park and stage another at Devil’s Kitchen, as retracing your steps adds significant mileage and elevation gain. We guarantee you will be plenty tired upon reaching Devil’s Kitchen! This hike is extremely rewarding, particularly in the spring when the waterfalls are gushing with seasonal run-off. Because this is a longer, more remote hike with limited services and significant elevation change, it is strongly recommended to go with a hiking partner, carry ample water, and be prepared for changing conditions. Check the weather as flash floods pose an imminent danger. Look for cairns as you cross the face of the sandstone, guiding your way across open rock in the heart of the canyon’s quiet, rugged beauty.
For those seeking a shorter and milder option, starting from the Devil’s Canyon trailhead and hiking to the first waterfall provides a more approachable out-and-back experience. This route still delivers towering canyon walls, cottonwood-lined stretches, and the reward of a waterfall from spring runoff, while requiring less distance, navigation, and elevation change.
Whether choosing a full canyon descent or a shorter waterfall trek, No Thoroughfare Canyon offers a striking contrast of rugged terrain and peaceful natural beauty.
Wedding Canyon Trail
In March, early daisies begin to brighten the lower elevations of Colorado National Monument, and newborn bighorn lambs can often be seen navigating the entire Monument alongside their mothers. Drive slowly and remain alert while exploring the Monument, as desert bighorn sheep frequently linger along the roadside and often cross Rim Rock Drive unexpectedly. It’s a special moment when you spot these majestic creatures navigating sheer red-rock cliffs with their young close behind, a true sign that spring has arrived in canyon country. As the months progress, scarlet red claret-cups bloom and golden prickly pear cactus start revealing their bright flowers during May through June months.
With each passing season, the Monument transforms dramatically, trading palettes, shifting light, and redefining its mood as if a grand stage crew has swept in overnight. One month it whispers in soft greens and fragile petals; the next, it commands attention in blazing reds and golds. With each passing season, like a Broadway production between acts, Colorado National Monument reveals an entirely new scene, reshaping its colors, textures, and light as the curtain rises on the next act.