Grand Junction, Colorado

Looking for the best hiking in Grand Junction? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Grand Junction. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Grand Junction

  • Grand Junction, Colorado

    Rim Rock Drive

    4.2
    22.86 mi / 3562.77 ft gain
    Driving through Colorado National Monument was very easy and gorgeous. Very scenic drive with many lookouts to stop at. Every lookout has a spot to park and you can just jump out and photograph the book cliffs and canyons. I stopped at almost all of the lookouts and they are all breathtaking. I d...
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  • Grand Junction, Colorado

    Serpents Trail

    3.75 mi / 896 ft gain
    Known as the "crookedest road in the world" when it was built in the early 1900s, the Serpents Trail in Colorado National Monument is one of the most distinctive hikes near Grand Junction. The trail follows the route of the original road into the monument — a relentlessly switchbacking path car...
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  • Clifton, Colorado

    Mt. Garfield Trail

    3.42 mi / 1808 ft gain
    This hike is approx. 4 miles long and takes between 2.5-4 hours to complete depending on pace and stoppage time. This hike begins at the parking lot located at the base of the trail. Directions to Parking Lot:  - Start at the Grand Junction Visitors Center, 740 Horizon Dr, Grand Junction, CO 8...
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  • Clifton, Colorado

    Mount Garfield

    3.41 mi / 1808 ft gain
    Mount Garfield is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Palisade, Colorado.
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  • Grand Junction, Colorado

    Ute Canyon Trail

    8.41 mi / 981 ft gain
    Ute Canyon Trail is a mostly undeveloped 4.3 mile trail (8.6 round trip) in Colorado National Monument that offers technical descents, route finding, water crossings, and gorgeous red rock walls. The trailhead is just a few miles off I-70 from the town of Fruita—it's well worth the trip. Remember...
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  • Fruita, Colorado

    Alcove Nature Trail

    0.92 mi / 197 ft gain
    Alcove Nature Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Grand Junction, Colorado.
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  • Fruita, Colorado

    Backpack in the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness

    4.2 mi / 1000 ft gain
    If you're looking to backpack outside of the highly publicized areas of Colorado (aka the Rockies), head out to Western CO for some amazing experiences. Located 4 hours west of Denver along I-70 is the McInnis Canyon National Conservation Area (NCA). Overseen by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM...
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  • Fruita, Colorado

    Rattlesnake Arches Upper Trail

    4.0
    8.37 mi / 1398 ft gain
    Put simply, Rattlesnake Arches is home to some of the most beautiful views you'll ever experience in the United States. This portion of the Rattlesnake Arches Trail follows along the upper rim of the canyon and allows you to experience 9 total arches within about 2 miles of hiking once you reach ...
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  • De Beque, Colorado

    Grand Mesa Scenic Byway

    61.32 mi / 6669.29 ft gain
    Despite being one of the largest flat-top mountains in the world, Grand Mesa sees far fewer visitors than other areas of Colorado. Locals only an hour away in Grand Junction frequent the area for its plentiful fishing, camping, and off-roading opportunities, but few take advantage of its photogra...
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  • Mesa County, Colorado

    Backpack along the Gunnison River in the Dominguez-Escalante NCA

    5.0
    3.4 mi
    If you're looking to take your first backpacking adventure, but want something that is manageable yet thrilling, this is what you're looking for. Located along the Gunnison River in Western Colorado, the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation area is easy to access yet full of adventure and be...
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  • Mack, Colorado

    Hike the Trail Through Time Paleontological Trail

    1.5 mi
    The trail is adjacent to an active dinosaur quarry, and while there were no scientists at work while we were there, apparently you can see paleontologists at work in the spring and summer.Take the interpretive trail up towards the small mesa and check out the signs pointing out fossils along the ...
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  • Cedaredge, Colorado

    Crag Crest Loop

    4.3
    10.6 mi / 1607.83 ft gain
    The Crag Crest Trail is a 10-mile loop that takes runners over one of the highest points on Grand Mesa. When traveling in a clockwise direction, the trail traverses a narrow rocky ridge for 5-miles before descending into the dense pine forest below. Grand Mesa's trails are less maintained due to ...
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  • Cisco, Utah

    Off Road to the Top of The World

    13.2 mi / 2000 ft gain
    The off road trail called Top of the World is a dirt road meant for *OFF ROAD VEHICLES ONLY*. All wheel drives jeeps and trucks are most common on this route but it is frequented by ATV and Dirt Bike users as well. If you elect to hike this route be mindful of their presence and give off-road veh...
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