Start a trip on the western slope in Grand Junction, home to tons of family activities. Visit Colorado National Monument for views of Grand Junction, Grand Mesa, and the Bookcliffs, hike along a canyon rim along a well-maintained trail near the Saddlehorn Visitor Center, located four miles from the Fruita (East) Entrance and near Saddlehorn Campground, a great place to spend the night. Look for big horn sheep, eagles, foxes, and desert cottontails along Rim Rock Drive.
Drive to the community of Fruita and visit Dinosaur Journey Museum, a federal fossil repository and home to a 6′ 7″ long femur of the Apatosaurus, possibly the largest dino bone ever found. Peruse the articulated skeletons, robotic dinosaurs, fossils, hands-on activities, and a working paleontology laboratory with your young scientists.
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A few more ideas for your itinerary for family adventure:
- Dig for dinosaur bones at the Museum of Western Colorado
- Learn about local flora at the Botanical Gardens
- Go swimming at a local pool
- Drive go-karts at Bananas Fun Park.
Grand Junction also has plenty of opportunities for hiking, rafting, horseback riding and other Colorado outdoor activities that can be found in state and national parks around the Grand Junction area. Maybe you’re looking for a list of family activities that are free and family friendly, we have that list ready for you here.