- Grand Junction is 3 hours from Crested Butte on Highway 50.
- Largest on the Western Slope, Grand Junction possesses big-city amenities, like shopping, dining, hospitals and a substantial regional airport.
- Rent a mountain bike or go on a jeep tour to experience the area's endless canyon and mesa trails.
Overview
Grand Junction is a blue-collar town servicing western Colorado's vast oil and gas fields. It has become a popular mountain-biking destination and features a burgeoning wine industry.
Location
Grand Junction is located along Interstate 70 on Colorado's Western Slope.
Services/Amenities
Grand Junction is home to a variety of amenities and services. It has lots of grocery, shopping, dining and lodging options.
Activities
With a mild climate and heavenly red sandstone trails, Grand Junction is an fast becoming a premiere mountain-biking and off-roading destination. Numerous companies rent bikes and host jeep tours in the nearby desert. A favorite trail is Kokopelli, which eventually ends in Moab.
Attractions
Of course, the rivers are a major attraction, but also check out nearby Colorado National Monument for a canyon and mesa experience not to be missed.
The wineries, located east of town, are beginning to produce some respectable wines and offer daily tours and tastings.
The weekly downtown farmers' market, held Thursday evenings in summertime, is one of Colorado's best. Also downtown, Main Street is a pedestrian-friendly promenade filled with local shops and restaurants.
Getting Here
From Crested Butte, go into Gunnison and head west on Highway 50 until it intersects with the I-70 business loop into Grand Junction. Total trip time is about 3 hours.
Along the way, pick up some world-famous Olathe sweet corn in the eponymous town along Highway 50.
