Located along the Colorado River, Grand Junction is a wonderful destination for outdoor explorers and adventure enthusiasts. Aside from its mountains, rivers and rock formations, the city boasts beautiful parks, wineries, monuments and golf courses.
Sights and Activities at Grand Junction
Grand Junction’s expansive mountains offer plenty of biking and hiking trails. The Tabeguache and Kokopelli trails are the most popular mountain biking trails. The Monument Canyon Trail offers a leisurely trail along picturesque paths, while Riggs Hill dinosaur hiking trails and Rattlesnake Canyon Arches Trail are more adventurous. The city’s rock formations are a haven for climbers and the rivers offer a range of recreational activities – fishing, swimming, rafting and canoeing. Hunting, skiing, horseback riding and golf are also common.
The Museum of Western Colorado, Dinosaur Journey Museum, Cross Orchards Historic Site, Allen Unique Car Museum, Botanical Gardens and Bananas Fun Park are must-visit spots for families and children. The 1923 Avalon Theatre features live music, lectures and shows while the Mesa Theater hosts live music and comedy. Grand Junction’s diverse art and culture is exhibited in galleries, especially the Art on the Corner and Western Colorado Center for the Arts.
Grand Junction is home to some of the best golfing courses – Adobe Creek National Golf Course, Chipeta Golf Course, and the Golf Club at Redlands Mesa, to name a few. It is also Colorado’s wine country with numerous wineries and vineyards that offer seasonal tours and tastings. The Kannah Creek and Rockslide offer unique beer selections.
Downtown Grand Junction is a buzzing shopping area, with hundreds of outlets selling clothing, books, jewelry and much more. The Mesa Mall is Western Colorado’s largest indoor mall featuring major brand name stores.
Transportation
The Denver International Airport and Grand Junction Regional Airport connect Grand Junction with major cities. Amtrak offers rail services with the California Zephyr connecting the San Francisco Bay Area and Chicago. Greyhound Bus Lines offers services from nearby cities and towns. Adventurers can follow the Kokopelli Trail from Moab, Utah to the Colorado River Front Train and then reach downtown.
Within Grand Junction, the Gran Valley Transit offers a robust local bus system. Visitors can also travel by car or bike, or rent a shuttle service. The downtown area can easily be explored on foot.
Accommodation at Grand Junction
Visitors can lodge at hotels, motels, vacation homes, RV parks and campgrounds. Popular hotels in the downtown area include Frontier Motor Lodge, Prospector Motel, Columbine Motel and Rodeway Inn. Wine country accommodations include Mesa Inn, Quality Inn of Grand Junction, Marriott-Downtown Fairfield Inn & Suites and Highline State Park.