Colorado National Monument
20 minutes from Highline
10 minutes from Imondi
16 minutes from DoubleTree
Whether you only have time for a scenic drive or want to go for a hike through the red rock landscape, the CNM is a must-see. With iconic red rock formations and views of the Grand Valley, get a feel for the high desert landscape in GJ.
The desert heat is no joke, so if you are planning on hiking, go early, bring lots of water, stock up on sunscreen, and pay close attention to the forecast and posted signage.
Grand Mesa
1 hr 5 min - 1 hr 30 min from Highline
55 min - 1 hr 15 min from Imondi
40 min - 1 hr from DoubleTree
Escape the heat and head up to the Grand Mesa National Forest. Enjoy one of the 300 lakes perfect for paddleboarding, fishing, or just admiring. You can also enjoy countless hikes and picnic spots, ready to give you the classic Colorado experience.
Brought your Mountain Bike with you? Head over to Powderhorn Mountain Resort and enjoy their summer bike park. Ride cross country, downhill, and get a sneak peek of the dual slalom course being built for the 2025-26 USA Cycling Collegiate MTB National Championships.
Fruita
15 min from Highline
5 min from Imondi
12 min from DoubleTree
A city built for the outdoors. Just a short drive from both Imondi Wake Zone and Highline Lake, check out the mountain bike paradise of 18rd trails, hike Mcinnis Canyon to the Rattlesnake Arches, and even more farmers market strolls on Saturday from 8:30am-12pm. Dinosaur Journey Museum
Downtown Grand Junction
30 minutes from Highline
20 minutes from Imondi
13 minutes from DoubleTree
Looking for some small-town charm? Palisade's got you covered. Choose from wine tasting, u-pick orchard tours, a nationally recognized Sunday morning farmers market, and even more hiking and biking. Check out the Palisade Peach Shack for u-pick peach orchard tours offered daily. Voted in the top 10 best farmers markets by USA Today, enjoy the Palisade market Sunday from 9am-1pm.
Palisade
35 minutes from Highline
27 minutes from Imondi
13 minutes from DoubleTree
Looking for some small-town charm? Palisade's got you covered. Choose from wine tasting, u-pick orchard tours, a nationally recognized Sunday morning farmers market, and even more hiking and biking. Check out the Palisade Peach Shack for u-pick peach orchard tours offered daily. Voted in the top 10 best farmers markets by USA Today, enjoy the Palisade market Sunday from 9am-1pm. Float the river all the way to Fruita
Where to eat
Skip the chains and check out these local spots for all of your favorites.
Jalapeno Burger- Rockslide Brew Pub
Burgers + American Classics
Trail Life Brewing- Downtown Grand Junction $$
Rockslide Brew Pub- Downtown Grand Junction $$
Base Camp Provisions- Downtown Fruita $$
Bin 707 Foodbar- Downtown Grand Junction $$$
Ale House- Grand Junction $$
Warehouse 25sixty-five- Grand Junction $$
Reckless Brewing Company- Downtown Fruita $$
Pêche- Palisade $$$
Pizza + Italian
$$ Downtown Fruita -Hot Tomato Pizza
$ Grand Junction & Palisade -Diorio's Pizza
$ Downtown Grand Junction -Pablo's Pizza
$$ Downtown Grand Junction -Junct'n Square Pizza
$$$ Grand Junction (Horizon Dr) -Enzo's Ristorante Italiano
$$$ Grand Junction -Ristorante Pantuso
$$ Palisade -Palisade Pizza & Pour House
Hot Tomato
Tacoparty
Mexican
Azteca's- Grand Junction (Horizon Dr) $$
Desierto Rojo- Downtown Fruita $$
El Tapatio- Grand Junction & Fruita $$
Fiesta Guadalajara- Grand Junction & Fruita $$
Fidel's- Palisade $$$
Tacoparty- Downtown Grand Junction $$
Steak
$$ Downtown Fruita -Strayhorn Grill
$$$ Grand Junction -Devil's Kitchen
$$$ Downtown Grand Junction -626 on Rood
$$ (Closest to Highline Lake) Fruita -Cattlemen's
$$$ Downtown Grand Junction -The Winery
12 oz Ribeye- Cattlemen's
Suehiro Japanese Restaurant
Sushi
Suehiro Japanese Restaurant- Downtown Grand Junction $$
No Coast Sushi- Grand Junction $$
Breakfast
$$ Downtown Grand Junction -Dream Cafe
$$ Downtown Grand Junction -Cafe Sol
$ Downtown Grand Junction -Main Street Bagels
$ Downtown Fruita -Starvin Arvin's
Seared Salmon Benedict-
Dream Cafe
Bestslope Coffee
Coffee
Bestslope Coffee- Downtown Fruita $
Kiln Coffee Bar- Downtown Grand Junction $
Copeka Coffee- Grand Junction $$
Camilla's Kaffe- Downtown Fruita $$
Aspen Street Coffee- Downtown Fruita $
Mountain Air Roasters- Downtown Grand Junction $
Graff Dairy
Sweet Treats
$ Grand Junction -Graff Diary
$ Downtown Grand Junction -Enstrom's
$ Downtown Grand Junction -Gelato Junction and Baker's Boutique
$ Grand Junction -Hokulia Shave Ice Grand Junction
$ Grand Junction -Third Bowl
$ Grand Junction -Sugar & Ice Co
$ Grand Junction & Fruita -Wave Drinks + Sweets
Lodging & Transportation
Book with our host hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton, for a discounted group rate until 7/11
Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) is 1 hr away from Grand Junction.
TRANSPORTATION TIPS
-Uber and Lyft are limited, especially to further locations like Highline Lake
-Rental cars can be rented through Enterprise, Avis, Budget, Hertz, Dollar, National, and Alamo. All are located at the Grand Junction Regional Airport.
-Enterprise has a secondary location on 5th Street in downtown Grand Junction.
-Action Rent-A-Car is a locally owned rental service. Call (970) 245-4598 for availability and pricing.