Colorado National Monument
30 minutes from downtown GJ
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.
Grand Mesa
51 min from downtown Grand Junction
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.
Fruita
18 min from downtown Grand Junction
A city built for the outdoors. Just a short drive from Grand Junction, check out the mountain bike paradise of 18rd trails, hike McInnis Canyon to the Rattlesnake Arches, or check out the Dinosaur Journey Museum.
Downtown Grand Junction
Experience the heart of Grand Junction on Main St. Enjoy local boutiques, top-rated restaurants, award-winning breweries and wineries, as well as local art on every corner. See why USA Today voted downtown GJ the 8th best Main Street in the US.
Palisade
20 minutes from downtown Grand Junction
Looking for some small-town charm? Palisade's got you covered. Choose from wine tasting, u-pick orchard tours, and even more hiking and biking. Enjoy local produce and try the famous Talbots Cider.
Moab, Utah
1 hour 35 min from Grand Junction
Visit the iconic red rocks of Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. Check out the outdoor enthusiast paradise in downtown Moab, and don't forget to watch out for dinosaurs near the road!
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
1 hour 25 min from Grand Junction
A narrow gorge in western Colorado, carved by the Gunnison River. Its steep, dark walls of ancient gneiss and schist, often obscured by shadows, earned it its name. The canyon is known for its impressive depth and steepness, featuring some of the steepest cliffs and oldest rock in North America.
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
Transportation
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.