Grand Valley Trail
A Red Rock Sculpture Garden
Grand Junction, the largest town on Colorado’s West Slope, sits at the confluence of the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers at the foot of soaring redrock mesas sculpted by wind and water into dramatic shapes. Any visitor wishing to experience the unique landscape of the Great Basin would do well to begin here. This is the easiest place in Colorado to find specialty birds of the desert such as Gambel’s Quail, Gray Vireo, Black-throated Sparrow, and Scott’s Oriole. Cliff-loving species like Canyon Wren and Whitethroated Swift thrive here amid the world-class scenery of the Colorado National Monument. The cottonwoods along the rivers are home to Lazuli Buntings by day and Western Screech-Owls by night. With its mild climate and well-developed tourist infrastructure, the Grand Valley is a great base from which to explore the rest of western Colorado.
Sites on this Trail
- Coal Canyon
- James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park, Island Acres Section
- Palisade Fruit and Wine Byway
- Avant Farm & Vineyards
- James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park, Corn Lake Section
- Cheney Reservoir
- James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park, Connected Lakes Section
- Leatha Jean Stassen State Wildlife Area
- Colorado National Monument
- Pinyon Mesa
- James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park, Fruita Section
- Highline Lake State Park
- Six and Fifty (6 & 50) Reservoir
- Prairie Canyon
- Rabbit Valley and Brewster Ridge