An outdoor lover’s paradise, Grand Junction, Colorado, sits four hours west of Denver and offers family travelers more than 1 million acres of land featuring canyons, rivers, mesas and mountains. While Denver sees more of the summer crowds, families can escape the busy streets of Denver and opt for outdoor adventures in Grand Junction.
© Visit Grand Junction
Watersports
Grand Junction lies at the confluence of the Colorado River and Gunnison River, making it an ideal destination for those seeking water-based activities. James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park and Highline Lake State Park invite travelers to go jet boating, wakeboarding, paddle boarding, windsurfing and more. Over at Las Colonias Park, head to the newly opened Riverfront to enjoy some paddle boarding, kayaking, tubing and wading.
For an ever more immersive aquatic experience, go with a guide from Rimrock Adventures to float down Ruby-Horsethief Canyon or navigate class III rapids in Westwater Canyon. Jet Boat Colorado offers tours of the Colorado River in custom New Zealand-style jet boats, while Grand Junction Adventures welcomes visitors to enjoy a day of stand-up paddle boarding down Gunnison River.
© Visit Grand Junction
Canyoneering, Rock Climbing and Hiking
Over at Colorado National Monument, visitors enjoy great hiking trails 7,000 feet above sea level. Many vistas along the trail offer great opportunities for photographs and panoramic views of red rock spires. Grand Junction Adventures offers guided climbing tours in Colorado National Park, in which climbers can experience the western desert sandstone rock slabs and red sandstone towers with a certified guide.
Don’t forget to add Rattlesnake Canyon to your hiking itinerary, where visitors can witness the second-largest concentration of arches in the world. Here, 35 natural arches lie protected in McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area.
Adrenaline Driven Adventures take visitors closer to these arches with Jeep and RZR tours, while Grand Junction Adventures offers new, guided daytrips to view the arches, complete with a 13-mile, off-road drive and guided hike and lunch.
© Visit Grand Junction
Mountain Bike Trails
Located near downtown Grand Junction, the Lunch Loop trails serve as the perfect spot to enjoy a few hours of mountain biking without having to travel far from town. Bike enthusiasts should also head to Kokopelli’s Loop Trails Area, where various spots along the trail promise great views down of the Colorado River.
Wild Horse Reserve
Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Reserve spans 30,000 acres of rugged canyons and plateaus, with about 100 wild mustangs running free. As only one of three ranges in the country set aside specifically to protect these horses, this reserve is a must-visit for all family travelers. The best time to visit is between late spring and early summer, when many horses descend to lower elevations for their young foals to graze. Visitors can access the reserve via ATV, hiking or horseback.
© Visit Grand Junction
Glamping Along the Colorado River
Camp Eddy opens for its first summer season, providing the perfect spot to stay, relax and explore Grand Junction. This glamping site sits within Las Colonias Park and boasts views of the Colorado River, as well as accommodations in renovated Airstreams and tiny homes, as well as camping offers and RV sites with full hook-ups.
Summer Events
Plan your trip to Grand Junction around one of these exciting events to further elevate your time in the city. Country Jam Colorado runs June 22–24, with artists like Jason Aldean and Blake Shelton headlining. Enjoy fields of lavender at the Colorado Lavender Festival, June 23–25, in with guided farm tours and vendors.
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