Grand Junction is the perfect destination for a quick three-day winter getaway, with a variety of activities for snow lovers, foodies and outdoor enthusiasts. Even if you just have a long weekend or a few days off this winter, you can feel rejuvenated after a quick trip to Grand Junction. Here’s an exciting lineup for a three-day winter itinerary, complete with outdoor recreation, craft beverages, DIY art and stargazing. Bonus – It’s a super affordable Colorado destination.
Day One: Explore Downtown Grand Junction & Pique Your Interests
Once you arrive and settle into your hotel or vacation home, ease into your vacay in Downtown Grand Junction. Take a leisurely stroll along Main Street’s wide sidewalks which are adorned with sculptures and brightly colored murals along the alleys. There are no franchises Downtown, so enjoy the independent boutiques, various arts & crafts studios, farm-to-fork eateries, and trendy hangouts with craft beverages. The high desert climate offers comfortable winter temperatures ranging from the mid-40s to 50 degrees, so all you will need is a light jacket and a steaming hot cocoa for a relaxing stroll in Downtown Grand Junction.
Day One: Afternoon
Spend the afternoon indulging your interests, whether that’s playing a few holes at one of Grand Junction’s year-round public courses, bringing a DIY project to life at Pinspiration, enjoying a glass of wine or shopping for high-performance outdoor clothing and equipment at Gearhead Outfitters for your upcoming adventures. Strike a pose with some of the 115 outdoor sculptures and murals that make up Art on the Corner, the city’s extensive art installation.
Day One: Evening
When the sun descends on the horizon and the town becomes painted in orange hues, it’s time to relax and refuel. Choose from bustling breweries, a rooftop experience, and restaurants with an ethnic flare:
- Devil’s Kitchen is located on the rooftop of Hotel Maverick and is a great spot to watch one of Grand Junction’s famous sunsets. Reserve a heated gondola or snow globe on the patio so you can be surrounded by the beauty of Colorado National Monument towering across the horizon.
- Trail Life Brewing is a microbrewery focused on a menu enlightened by locally sourced ingredients - perfect for kicking back with the locals and dialing in your upcoming adventures.
- For an ethnic experience, book a reservation at Bistro 317. This restaurant serves up authentic French fare and exquisitely crafted cocktails. Save room for dessert because their bakery of from-scratch pastries are out of this world. The cheesecake is a local favorite.
Relax with the galaxy for the perfect nightcap. Head to the Colorado National Monument for stargazing (don’t forget a blanket and a warm drink). Winter is the best season to see the galaxy, as the cold air makes the air clearer and gets darker earlier. The sun sets at approximately 5 p.m. during this time of the year in Grand Junction.
Day Two: A Full Day of Snowmobiling on the Grand Mesa
After a leisurely arrival day, it’s time for an adventure-packed experience. Grand Mesa is the world’s largest flat-top mountain, and in winter, it’s a snowy wonderland perfect for snowmobiling. There are 800 square miles of Grand Mesa snowmobiling terrain to explore, taking you through snow-covered forests, all with incredible views from over 9,000 feet in elevation.
The Old Grand Mesa Snowmobile Trail is a local favorite. This trail begins at the Old Grand Mesa Parking Area (parking – latitude: N 39.00446, longitude: W 107.942420) and follows Old Grand Mesa Road before coming to a fork. Going left will keep you on Old Grand Mesa Trail as you pass Kiser Slough Reservoir, Baron Lake and eventually ending at the Grand Mesa Visitor Center. If you decide to stay right, you will be led up Hay Park Road going east, where you will find Youngs Creek Reservoir #1 & #2. Whichever route you choose, the Grand Mesa’s abundance of snow and flat-top landscape makes it the perfect playground for snowmobile enthusiasts.
If you’re interested in exploring the Grand Mesa by snowmobile for the day and you are planning to rent, it is recommended that you reserve your vehicles in advance. For snowmobile rentals on the Grand Mesa, check out Adrenaline Driven Adventures Tours & Rentals. Adrenaline also offers informative and expertly guided snowmobile tours. So, if you want to take the stress out of not knowing where to go, one of Adrenaline’s professional tour guides would be happy to show you the ropes and provide you an unforgettable adrenaline-driven adventure!
Day Three: Spend the morning cross-country skiing or hiking
Day Three: Morning
On the third day of your trip, start the morning with a filling breakfast at a cozy local café, such as Cafe Sol, which focuses on sourced local ingredients. Be Sweet Cafe & Bake Shop has a large menu of from-scratch pastries and savory hot breakfast items. They use only real butter for all their baking, so you’ll taste the difference!
From there, head back to the Grand Mesa for a relaxing morning of cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. There are more than 31 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails on the Grand Mesa and a very scenic snowshoeing trail departing from the Skyway Trailhead. Gorgeous vistas to the north-northwest can be seen overlooking Powderhorn, Colorado River and the surrounding mountain ranges.
Day Three: Afternoon
For a change of scenery in the afternoon, drive less than 10 minutes from Downtown Grand Junction to the Colorado National Monument, where hiking trails are open year-round. With minimal snowfall in the canyons and a temperate local climate, you can easily enjoy a sunny morning of winter hiking. Be sure to bring several layers of clothing, as the temperature can change quickly. Pack extra water because Colorado’s altitude can dehydrate you sooner than you might expect. Quick tip – sip water regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty, to avoid dehydration and altitude sickness from sneaking up on you.
After you’ve gone for a hike, grab an après lunch at another local eatery, like the farm-to-table Spoons Bistro & Bakery or The Rockslide Brew Pub. Take care of your sweet tooth by dropping by Enstrom Toffee & Confectionery, which is famous for its addictive toffee. John Mayer even wrote a song about it. It’s that good!
After a vacation in Grand Junction, you’ll feel relaxed, rejuvenated and ready for another visit in the spring! For more ways to experience Grand Junction in the winter, check out the Official Grand Junction Visitor Guide.