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Mesa, Colorado

Top Spots in and near Mesa

  • Mesa County, Colorado

    Snowshoe around Mesa Lakes

    5.0
    2 mi / 300 ft gain
    This short loop trail starts and ends at Mesa Lakes Lodge, it is a little less than 2 miles round trip. From the lodge, we walked up the road towards our cabin (Bear cabin). Just past the cabin a trail starts that skirts the edge of the first lake and then winds around a few other lakes (Mesa Lak...
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  • Mesa, Colorado

    Photograph Fall Colors on Grand Mesa

    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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  • Cedaredge, Colorado

    Grand Mesa County Line Loop

    5.0
    5.82 mi / 302 ft gain
    The County Line Trailhead is a great way to enjoy the winter wonderland of the Grand Mesa. Both classic or skate skiing is allowed (along with snowshoeing). This is a perfect family trail since all trails are easy to moderate with a few short climbs and a maximum elevation change of 50 feet. Ther...
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  • Cedaredge, Colorado

    Run the Crag Crest Loop

    4.3
    10.4 mi / 1500 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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  • Palisade, Colorado

    Hike Mt. Garfield in Palisade

    4 mi / 1940 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 8150...
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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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  • Grand Junction, Colorado

    Photograph Colorado National Monument

    4.2
    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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  • Fruita, Colorado

    Mountain Bike the Book Cliffs

    5.0
    Fruita is Colorado's mountain biking paradise. Right across the border from world-famous Moab, it's only slightly lesser known. People on the Front Range make monthly pilgrimages to this epic spot for desert camping and mountain biking. The area is especially popular in the spring and fall, when ...
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  • Grand Junction, Colorado

    Running Ute Canyon in Colorado National Monument

    8.6 mi
    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

    Float Ruby-Horsethief Canyons

    To do the entire 26-mile float, put in at the Loma River access, several miles west of Fruita and just a short drive from I-70. From the Loma access there is no other easy access point until 26 miles later, at Westwater in Utah.Once on the water you will be able to relax and enjoy the beautiful s...
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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

    Hike the Rattlesnake Arches Trail in Black Ridge Wilderness

    4.0
    3.2 mi / 300 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. The hike along...
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  • Rifle, Colorado

    Rifle Gap Reservoir

    5.0
    1.54 mi / 46 ft gain
    Rifle Gap Reservoir is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Rifle, Colorado.
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  • Rifle, Colorado

    Explore Rifle Falls

    4.6
    RIfle Falls is located up Rifle Canyon just outside of the town of Rifle on I-70 in Southern Colorado. After driving by the sign for this gem many times on my drives from Utah to Colorado I made a short detour to check out the falls and have some lunch.The state park is small with a some short tr...
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  • Rifle, Colorado

    Hike through Rifle Falls State Park

    5.0
    1.5 mi / 70 ft gain
    Rifle Falls State Park is situated just 14 miles north east of major Colorado highway I-70. The park offers a wide variety of activities including hiking, fishing, biking, photography, camping, and spelunking (for the especially adventurous).There are several trails at Rifle Falls, the most popul...
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Camping and Lodging in Mesa

Moose Manor
Mesa, Colorado

Moose Manor

Jumbo Campground
Mesa County, Colorado

Jumbo Campground

Black Bear
Mesa County, Colorado

Black Bear

Grand Junction KOA Holiday
Grand Junction, Colorado

Grand Junction KOA Holiday

Cottonwood Grove Campground
Delta, Colorado

Cottonwood Grove Campground

Saddlehorn Campground
Grand Junction, Colorado

Saddlehorn Campground

Guides, Insights and Stories from Mesa

How to Pack for a 25-mile, Self-Supported, Overnight, Inner Tube Adventure

How to Pack for a 25-mile, Self-Supported, Overnight, Inner Tube Adventure

Kyle Frost

Watch: Life of Pie

Watch: Life of Pie

Kyle Frost

Exploring Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Exploring Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Chelsea Brinkley