Grand Junction, Colorado

The city of Grand Junction is located in west central Colorado, 243 miles (391 kilometers) southwest of Denver. It is the county seat of Mesa County, and home to 41,986 residents.

Located at the confluence of the Gunnison and Colorado Rivers and surrounded by majestic mountains, Grand Junction is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. You can start close to home by exploring the beautiful scenery along the Riverfront Trail System, or enjoy horseback riding, rock climbing, and rafting just outside of the city. The Colorado National Monument is one of the area's most famous natural attractions, and offers 20,500 acres (8,300 hectares) of rock formations, arches, sandstone formations, and spectacular canyons. Take a drive along the historic 23-mile (37-kilometer) Rim Rock Drive to enjoy panoramic views of the landscape, or hike the many trails that lead across the mesa tops and through the sheer-walled canyons. Nature watchers will also have the chance to see desert bighorn sheep, eagles, and other fascinating creatures.

Other fantastic destinations are Grand Mesa and Grand Mesa National Forest. Once called Thunder Mountain by the Ute Indians, Grand Mesa is the largest flat-topped mountain in the world. With an elevation of 11,000 feet (3,353 meters), the mountain provides a cool green oasis in the summer where visitors can camp, hike, mountain bike, and enjoy fabulous fishing at hundreds high-altitude lakes. In the wintertime, thick snows turn Grand Mesa into a winter wonderland. You can enjoy downhill skiing at the Powderhorn Resort, or cross-country skiing and snowshoeing along the Skyway, County Line, and Ward Creek trails.

Golf enthusiasts have five nearby courses to choose from. For a quick game, head to the local Lincoln Park or Chipeta golf courses. On the weekend, drive out to the Tiara Rado Golf Course or the Adobe Creek National Golf Course, both located near the National Monument, or the spectacular 18-hole championship course at Redlands Mesa.

Want to enjoy the outdoors without quite so much sweat? Visit the award-winning wineries in Colorado's Wine Country to "sip and savor" fine local vintages, or drive out to the local orchards for fresh fruit right off the tree. Would you like a dose of history with your orchard tour? Then head to the Cross Orchards Historic Farm, where costumed re-enactors will demonstrate what life was like in the early 1900s. Highlights include a tour of the apple orchards, bunkhouse, and barn, along with farm equipment and railway cars.

For more history, visit the Museum of the West, which preserves the area's history from the mid-1880s to the present. Looking for family fun? Try the beautiful Western Colorado Botanical Gardens and Butterfly House, the Western Colorado Math and Science Center, Bananas Fun Park, or the Dinosaur Journey Museum in nearby Fruita.

Grand Junction is home to a lively art and culture scene. For art exhibits, classes, and workshops, visit the The Art Center-Western Colorado Center for the Arts. The Grand Junction Symphony is your local source for classical music, while the Mesa Theater and Club and Sandstone Entertainment brings contemporary touring musicians to the city. The Avalon Theater offers plays, concerts, and daily films, while the Mesa State College Theater and Cabaret Dinner Theatre produces everything from ancient classics to musicals and family shows.

Offering unbeatable outdoor recreation, along with all the cultural delights of city life, Grand Junction is a fantastic place to call home!

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