The Grand Valley

Grand Junction

Grand Junction is the largest area of the Grand Valley and is home to one entrance to the Colorado National Monument. The Monument is called the “Heart of the World” by its champion and founder John Otto. The park is almost like a miniature Grand Canyon and has hiking and vistas in abundance. There are two local colleges in Grand Junction – Colorado Mesa University and Western Colorado Community College. The downtown district is home to dozens of outstanding locally-owned shops, music venues, restaurants, and galleries. Local farmers markets occur weekly and the area hosts festivals regularly from spring to fall. Grand Junction is a temperate climate, boasting 300 days of sunshine every year! I think we are Colorado’s best-kept secret, frankly.

Palisade

Colorado’s “wine country” or “Napa Valley” – Palisade is home to dozens of fruit orchards and vineyards. Along with wine, Palisade is also famous for its Peaches, and hosts an annual Peach Festival and the state’s most popular Wine Fest each year. This is the perfect area for anyone looking for a little more small town feel here in the valley. Right downtown are a few locally-owned shops and restaurants along with the reknowned Palisade Brewing Company and Peach Street Distillery next door. There are plenty of hikes for the outdoorsy, from the newly-created Palisade Plunge and the more brutal Mt. Garfield climb.

Fruita

Fruita is home to the other entrance to the Colorado National Monument in the valley, and is known for some world-famous mountain biking. Grab a beer after your day of hiking or biking at one of the local breweries on the main drag, or grab a slice at the local hangout Hot Tomato Pizza. Fruita is another small town vibe in the Valley, with many ranches right outside town. The local wakeboarding park and nearby Highline Lake offer watersports in season too. Fruita is also home to many yearly festivals with local color – including the Mike the Headless Chicken Festival, which is fun for the whole family!

Surrounding Areas

Grand Junction is also great in its proximity to national attractions, such as the Grand Mesa, the largest mesa in the world that is home to at least 300 lakes and reservoirs. We’re also only an hour and half from Moab, home of Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park for a great weekend trip! Any direction you can drive from this hub and you’re sure to find plenty to do and see.