About Grand Junction
Grand Junction was named in the annual New York Times list of 52 Places to Go. This destination continues to rack up accolades, as noted here.
Grand Junction is the largest city between Salt Lake City and Denver and is the fourth largest county in Colorado, based on land mass. The county is 76 percent public land, providing endless open space to explore on with no crowds. We socially distance here naturally! The population of Mesa County, according to the 2020 Census, is 155,703 and Grand Junction’s population is 65,560.
The name Grand Junction stems from the junction of the Colorado River (formerly known as the Grand River) and the Gunnison River. The area was first settled by Europeans in the 1880s, but the area's history of human civilization stretches back thousands of years including the Ute and Fremont tribes, among others. Remnants of the tribal history remain, including petroglyphs and cave paintings. In the late 19th century, settlers were drawn to the fertile Grand Junction area for its agricultural potential. This oasis remains one of Colorado's largest food producers, including peaches, pears, cherries, apples, and other produce.
In addition to food production, the Grand Junction area includes unparalleled natural beauty. Nature’s Trifecta lives here, which includes Colorado National Monument, known as a mini-Grand Canyon; the Grand Mesa, the largest flat-top mountain in the world bursting with over 300 lakes; and Rattlesnake Arches, the 2nd-most concentration of natural arches in the world.
The Colorado National Monument is affectionately called The Heart of the World and is part of the National Park Service. Rim Rock Drive is a paved paved road that winds through the park, offering breathtaking views and many pull-offs to take in the majestic canyon. A variety of hikes from easy to difficult provide contrasting views of the park. The Monument is an amazing place for stargazing at night.
The nearby Grand Mesa is a spectacular flat-top mountain that plateaus near 10,000 feet. It offers a variety of activities year-round, including skiing and snowmobiling in the winter and hiking, fishing and mountain biking throughout the rest of the year.
Rattlesnake Arches may not be as well-known as Arches National Park in Utah; however, it is the 2nd-most concentration of arches after Moab, yet can be visited without the crowds and no reservation is needed. Over 35 arches have formed naturally, and can be seen from the trail.
Grand Junction is a very hospitable place to visit and live. Locals are friendly and approachable, always willing to share their favorite trail, restaurant, or provide advice on what it’s like to live in the area. Come see for yourself, we look forward to welcoming you!
