Three Ways to Enjoy Fall Foliage in the Grand Junction Area

Grand Junction, Colo. – Take on a fall foliage experience in Grand Junction. The city, which sits in a valley, experiences color changes later in the season, but the higher surrounding elevations burst into yellows and oranges early.

While there are many ways to soak up the season, here are three unique and thoroughly scenic options.

  • Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway

Powderhorn Mountain Resort offers some of the most fabulous fall foliage anywhere in Colorado. Experience vibrant scrub oak set against golden shimmering aspens traversing Highway 65. A number of pullouts along the road provide great photo opportunities. For hiking enthusiasts, Crag Crest Trail offers the perfect high alpine hike atop the spine of the world’s largest flattop mountain, boasting over 300 lakes. Guests enjoy the unique landscape in a secluded area, highlighted with inspiring color.

  • James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park

Road biking, mountain biking, hiking, and picnicking are just some of the best ways to experience autumn colors in James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park. For hiking and biking, there are paved and hard-packed trails that circle the park’s lakes. The Fruita section of the park is near several great mountain bike trails, including the North Fruita Desert and Kokopelli Trailhead, which connects to Moab, Utah.

  • Tiara Rado & Redlands Mesa Golf Courses 

The Golf Club at Redlands Mesa is a high desert panorama at its best. During the fall, pink, red, and tawny tints of the desert landscape stand in stark contrast to the blanket of golden and scarlet hues on the mountain terrain. Nearby, Tiara Rado Golf Course offers stunning views of the Colorado National Monument. There is also a bird sanctuary within the golf course, providing golfers the chance to see a sampling of bird species and other wildlife—including owls, hawks, herons, quail, and pheasant—frolicking in the local fall foliage.

For more information on planning a trip to Grand Junction, visit the website.

About Grand Junction (www.visitgrandjunction.com)

Grand Junction is the largest city in Western Colorado, located at the junction of the Gunnison and Colorado Rivers, between Salt Lake City and Denver on Interstate 70. At an altitude of 4,586 feet, the city has warm summers and moderate spring, fall, and winter seasons, allowing for incredible year-round outdoor recreation adventures. Among Grand Junction's spectacular red cliffs and winding canyons are the 11,000-foot Grand Mesa, the world’s largest flat top mountain boasting over 300 lakes. The breathtaking 7,000-foot Colorado National Monument is also a must-see while visiting offering epic hiking and will inspire the photographer in you. Surrounded by an abundance of public lands, Grand Junction is also a mecca for hunting, fishing, dirt biking and ATV riding. Other attractions include three national scenic byways, rafting, boating, golfing, skiing, extensive public art displays, museums, and a vibrant downtown featuring creative culinary options, shopping, the Two Rivers Convention Center and the Avalon Theatre. The Grand Junction area is known as Colorado’s Wine Country, featuring 23 wineries. Visit Grand Junction is a department of the City of Grand Junction and is the official Destination Marketing Organization for the region.

Contacts:
Gaylene Ore, Ore Communications, [email protected], 970-531-2336