5 Distinctively Grand Junction Experiences

Encounter wild horses.

The Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Area is located in the Bookcliffs above Grand Junction. Only three wild horse sanctuaries exist in the United States, and this 36,000-acre sanctuary is one of them. More than a hundred horses roam the area, providing good opportunity for viewing and photographing them. Guests can drive to the region or climb in through the Mount Garfield Trail, a popular Grand Junction trail. It winds its way up Mount Garfield's face on the Bookcliffs, culminating in panoramic vistas in all directions.

Ride your bike … all the way to Moab.

Grand Junction is known for its mountain bike routes, which draw visitors from all over the world looking for new and challenging singletrack. Route networks such as 18 Road, Kokopelli, and Lunch Loops offer miles of interconnected trail alternatives, allowing riders to stay in the saddle for hours. If you want to go even further, Grand Junction has two excellent options that will take you all the way to Moab. The Kokopelli Trail is 142 miles of pure delight for mountain bikers. Although some sections of the trail are challenging singletrack and others are gravel roads, the entire trip is breathtakingly gorgeous. REI in Grand Junction offers seminars to help you prepare for your multi-day bike excursion. Food, drinks, and cots with sleeping bags are provided in each cabin. Because cabins are only available to rent for two months a year (May and October) when the Grand Junction to Moab Trail is open, plan ahead! With so much to see and do in Grand Junction, arrive a few days ahead of time for your trip to take in all of the sites, explore the downtown area, and sample all of the local craft-beverage choices and locally produced cuisine.

Explore the collection of murals along the Colorado River.

The Colorado River is followed along the Riverfront Trail as it runs westward toward Utah. On foot, on bike (including e-bikes), or on in-line skates, the track can be explored. Keep a watch out for wildlife, which includes more than 200 kinds of birds, while you explore this region. The route is also adorned with a number of vibrant murals.

Play on Golfweek’s No. 1-rated Colorado public golf course.

Redlands Mesa, an award-winning public course tucked away in the high desert at the base of Colorado National Monument's pink and red sandstone, is surrounded by scenery so stunning that it may be difficult to focus on your swing. Greenways with perfect grooming are carved into a canyon with ponds and rolling hills surrounded by enormous stones. Plus, it's surprisingly inexpensive.

Enjoy a Palisade peach, straight from the branch.

Palisade peaches are in high demand every year throughout the summer, and cities all over the country ship them in. Many orchards in Palisade provide tours during the season when you can explore the beautiful orchards and choose your own ripe fruit. Apples, cherries, plums, and, of course, grapes are also grown in Palisade.