What to do around Grand Junction???

[bmc]

My wife and I are planning on being in Grand Junction, CO for a wedding the 1st week of June 2010. We'd like to spend a week there and see the sites. We're mainly interested in scenery, animals, museums of natural history. We plan on renting a vehicle for the week.

Any suggestions on "must see's" in the immediate area?

Thanks,

Brian

bmc2680 at yahoo dot com

[jeffreyd]

that is on the west side of the mountains. it is really considered high desert. i have a buddy who lives in the denver area, i need to talk to him tomorrow so i will ask him if there is anything to do and let you know.

[Esox_Magnum]

Go back by Denver and see the Rocky MNT Natl Forest. Gold mine tours are also in the area, the drive through Ridgeway south of Montrose is a great drive. I think west just over the border theres a Dinosour museum, I know its out that way someplace I remember seeing a sign.

[pushbutton]

probably going to have to head back at least as far as glenwood springs, from there you can go north,south, or east and find a lot more to do. if you have never rafted, i really would encourage it, do afloat at least. co had excellent tourism websites. google areas you want to stay in and you will find more than a weeks worth of entertainment. i am envious co is beautiful during the summer.

[MN Mike]

I agree with pushbutton, head towards Glenwood Springs, You HAVE to go thru what I figure is one of the prettiest drives in the Rocky's, Glenwood Canyon, just east of Glenwood Springs on I70.

Glenwood is a nice town to visit too, you can ride the gondola up to the Cave system they have above the city.

When you're there, you can mozy your way down towards Aspen and Snowmass. Everyone thinks these are just busy ski towns in the winter and nothing goes on in the summer but that couldn't be further from the truth, they are busier in the summer! Snowmass has a beautiful Golf Course if you're into that, you can ride the ski lifts up the mountain and ride Mtn. Bikes back down if you like.

We went to Marble one year, south of Carbondale on your way to Aspen, took a 4 wheel off road adventure thru some of the trails in the high country, that was my buddies rig but there are people that put on tours to take you back there, you'll see some awesome country doing that! Good little Diner right off the road in Carbondale.

Aspen is busy, lots of people on the streets in the evening just hanging out ( or atleast there use to be )

You can go east of Aspen towards Independence Pass ( topping out over 12000 ft. ) head towards Leadville and the mines in that area, hook back up to I70 and come back towards Grand Junction.

There are LOTS of things to do and a week just won't be enough time but you'll get some ideas anyway.

Mike

[bmc]

Thanks Guys!

Keep 'em coming! Like the couple other places we've vacationed at......a week is never enough!

Brian

[Nate McVey]

Like they said, Grand Junction is kind of the "gateway to the desert". Head back to Glenwood Springs and take in the natural hot springs, go rafting, hike/drive through the flattops. Marooon Bells (not sure if it's a national park or not) is just south of Glenwood and is a great hike! Rocky Mountain National Park is amazing, but will take you a good 5 hours to get to from GJ......

I'm sure some more ideas will come to me in the next couple days.

[Jim Bob]

Head down towards Delta and go see the Black Canyon. You have to see it to believe it!

[Esox_Magnum]

Go down to Durango and ride the Silverton Train. Could also take a trip on the Blackbear road, but take the tour don't take your own vehicle. I elk hunt out there and always see places that look like a cool place to stop but hunting comes first so I took a week a few years ago and just drove around seeing the sights, lots of stuff to see in that state.

[so haaad]

Like what's been posted, if you want the mountain experience then head over to Glenwood or down to Telluride area. If you want a very cool desert experience then head over to the Moab area. Although by June it gets a little warm.

[Urban]

I used to live in New Castle... plenty to do around Grand Junction w/o wasting too much time driving... the last thing you want to do while you are out there is spend more time trying to do something, than just doing something.

Check out the COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT in Grand Junction, then grab the fishing poles and fish the COLORADO RIVER in the Canyon running along I-70 just East of Grand Junction (Palisade) If your into it, rent some bikes and ride what is considered to be some of the best up and coming singletrack in the world, FRUITA just West of Grand Junction, trails available for most ability levels (call Over the Edge Sports). Check out the WINERIES in and around Palisade, I didn't do this, though I was told it is great... too, I guess you can rent a bike and ride from winery to winery getting a great buzz from the free samples. A great wife and hubby activity.

If your more into the wilderness, get up into the Grand Mesa National Forest, you'll proabbly even find snow that time of year. I've heard of great mountin lakes for fishing.

Enjoy the local area while your there, take a seperate trip to places like Aspen, Glenwood Springs, and Carbondale.

[Urban]

I've spent a lot of time trying to find the greatest places to visit when on a trip like you will be on (family get together, weddings, ect...) Seriously, just enjoy the area your going to and spend more time having fun than trying to get to a place to have fun (though I do DITTO the BLACK CANYON). While the Glenwood area is great, too... (I miss is it bigtime!) the Grand Junction area has plenty to offer. Check in with the REI Store in Grand Junction... those folks will get you to the local hotspots for outdoor adventure.

Check out the link below about the National Forest....

http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us_national_forest/co_grand.htm