Grand Junction-Colorado’s Desert Capital
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Grand Junction is situated at the confluence of two mighty Western rivers - the Colorado and the Gunnison - in the high desert just east of the Colorado/Utah border.
Grand Junction is part farming town, part college town, part retiree haven and part headquarters for the gas industry. Every segment of it’s population thinks it suits their needs well. It’s the largest city within thousands of square miles and serves as the air travel, shopping and medical capital of the entire area.
For most west-bound tourists, this is where they get their car repaired, stock up on ice and supplies and get one last shopping mall fix or fine restaurant meal before heading out into the harsh desert. Among outdoor enthusiasts, it’s considered a jumping off point for adventures in southern Utah and southwestern Colorado, but you don’t really have to travel far from Grand Junction before you can enjoy some of the best outdoor recreation activities of their kind.
The first stop is a mere 7 miles west at Fruita, where even the most die-hard mountain biker will meet his or her match on the rocky Book Cliff Trails designed just for them in the desert northeast of town. The Fruita Fat Tire Festival attracts enthusiasts every Spring to celebrate in tribal fashion. Nearby Highline State Park is a good option for camping nearby.
Just a few miles further along Interstate 70, you’ll find Loma. This is the trailhead for the legendary Kokopelli Trail, which winds above the Colorado River canyons for 140 miles into Moab Utah.
Rafting through the desert canyons west of Grand Junction is an one of the must-dos for American river-runners. Those seeking a scenic float can spend 2-3 days lazing through Ruby and Horsethief Canyons, while paddlers seeking an adreline rush head straight for the challenging rapids of Westwater Canyon on the Utah side of the border.
These are just a few of the world class outside activities available nearby when you make Grand Junction your headquarters for exploring the landscape of western Colorado.
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