11 Best Day Trips from Grand Junction 2024
Searching for quick day trips near Grand Junction CO? Here are incredible destinations to explore!
Grand Junction is located in western Colorado, about 1 hour from the Colorado – Utah border.
The town of Grand Junction is beautiful and located right near Colorado’s Wine Country and the Grand Mesa National Forest. There are countless day trips from Grand Junction to embark on and explore the nearby areas!
You can experience so much in just a short drive from the town of Grand Junction with outdoor landmarks, the great outdoors, or a visit to one of Colorado’s many famous ski towns!
Get a local’s perspective from my friend Abby at Trekking Price’s. Let’s jump in!
11 Best Day Trips from Grand Junction
🚙 The best way to take a day trip from Grand Junction is by renting a car. When booking your Colorado car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. They provide the best deals for car rentals!
1. Colorado Monument
The Colorado National Monument is a short 30-minute drive away, making it one of the best quick day trips from Grand Junction!
Known for its distinct canyons, colorful rock formations, and dramatic mountain landscape, this National Monument must be on your list.
You could hop in the car and take in the views from behind the wheel by driving the 23-mile Rim Rock Drive. You could also experience the gorgeous landscape up close and personal through hiking, backpacking, or camping.
For hitting the hiking trails, be sure to check out the Canyon Rim Trail. This hike is only 1 mile out and back but provides fabulous views of the Colorado National Monument you cannot fully experience from the road.
The Colorado National Monument has scenery that will have you blown away!
2. Ouray
To get a hot spring near Grand Junction experience, the small town of Ouray must be on your bucket list.
This town is famously known as the “Switzerland of America” and includes fabulous restaurants, boutique shopping, endless outdoor activities, and one of the best hot springs in the state of Colorado.
The drive from Grand Junction to Ouray Hot Springs is roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes by car and totally worth it for those looking for a truly memorable and relaxing experience.
After you are done unwinding in the tranquil water of the natural hot springs, head over to one of the popular restaurants in the area for a delicious bite to eat. We recommend checking out Mi Mexico Family Mexican Restaurant for mouth-watering Mexican cuisine and incredible drinks!
For a more adventurous endeavor, the Ouray Via Ferrata is a climbing course that will have you climbing ladders, crossing over gorges, and so much more. It is a thrilling experience for those looking for a true outdoor adventure!
If you fall in love with the small town as we did, stay for a night or two instead of taking a day trip from Grand Junction. You can really take in all the town has to offer. For the best hotel in the area, book a stay at Beaumont Hotel & Spa!
3. Moab
Moab is another great option when it comes to choosing the best day trips from Grand Junction!
Moab, Utah is about 110 miles West of Grand Junction and is known for its red rock formations, incredible outdoor activities, and Arches National Park.
This area is known for its endless outdoor activities including mountain biking, hiking, camping, ATVing, and much more. For the ultimate excursion, you must book Hell’s Revenge 4×4 Off-Roading Tour From Moab.
This UTV tour will take you through rugged terrain and through countless canyons as you get to explore more of Moab through a whole new lens.
After you finish your outdoor journey, grab a bite to eat in the area at Moab Diner for an all-day breakfast and their famous green chile.
Although Moab is a great destination for a quick day trip from Grand Junction, it’s also a great location to spend several nights exploring the surrounding area. The Red Cliffs Lodge is an incredible place to stay!
4. Arches National Park
The distance from Grand Junction to Arches National Park is about 100 miles and takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes in the car! This national park is known for its red rock formations, beautiful landscape, and countless arches to explore.
There are endless options when it comes to exploring this fantastic national park. Spend all day hiking by exploring different trails such as the infamous Delicate Arch Hike or the Devil’s Garden Primitive Loop.
Pack the best energy bars for hiking so you stay energetic and healthy while exploring all the trails the park has to offer.
You can also spend the day exploring the park from your car by winding down the endless paved roads that will take you to the various arch sites and viewpoints.
Once you get hungry, we strongly recommend that you pack a lunch ahead of time and head to one of the many picnic areas to enjoy a bite to eat with a fabulous view!
5. Glenwood Springs
For more hot springs and a great day trip from Grand Junction, there is no better place to visit than Glenwood Springs. It’s a fantastic town with endless bars, restaurants, and shopping!
Glenwood Springs is located about 90 miles from Grand Junction and it takes roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes to get there, making it a fantastic day trip!
This small town is often known for the Glenwood Hot Springs Pool where you can relax in a mineral bath and take in the surrounding mountain views.
For a bit more thrill and excitement, Glenwood Springs is also home to the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park where you can hop on alpine coasters, roller coasters, zip lines, and other rides that will have you exhilarated!
Stop by Glenwood Canyon Brewpub for pub food and a few pints of cold beer–a delicious experience!
Book a stay at The Hotel Denver in Glenwood Springs if you would like to stay for more than a day in the area to indulge in all that this small town has to offer!
6. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Located about 70 miles Southeast of Grand Junction, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is one of Colorado’s most dramatic canyon landscapes and is known for its steep cliffs and rock formations formed by the Gunnison River.
Whether you are looking for a scenic drive, would like to go trout fishing, or love looking for wildlife, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a great spot for anyone craving the outdoors and scenic views.
7. Telluride
Telluride is one of Colorado’s most famous mountain towns and a world-renowned ski resort.
It is known for its dramatic mountain landscape, tremendous outdoor activities, and quaint town, and is one of the best ski resorts for snowboarding and skiing in the United States.
If you are visiting during the winter months, pack your skis or snowboard so you can enjoy the slopes! For those that would rather take in the views and enjoy a more laid-back experience, Telluride is known for its world-class apres ski.
For a memorable meal, try the Sheridan Chophouse which is known for its fabulous steaks and its Flatliner cocktails.
If you are visiting the area in the summer, spring, or fall, Telluride is known for its adorable Town Park, backcountry hiking, and mountain biking.
During the month of June, add the Telluride Balloon Festival to your itinerary where you can watch countless hot air balloons soar through the sky.
8. Palisade
Palisade is a charming small town located just 20 minutes Northeast of Grand Junction. This small town consists of over 20 wineries and vineyards throughout the area and each one has something unique to offer.
Additionally, Palisade is known for growing some of the best and freshest peaches in the state of Colorado.
Visit the area in August for the annual Palisade Peach Festival where you can enjoy these delicious fruits along with various peach-inspired dishes such as pies, ice cream, salsas, and more.
9. Dinosaur National Monument
Located on the border between Utah and Colorado, Dinosaur National Monument is a unique attraction that will have you exploring various fossil and rock formations from when dinosaurs used to roam the earth.
Dinosaur National Monument is about 2 hours and 10 minutes north of Grand Junction, making it a great day trip option. Whether you are a historian interested in fossils or an adventurer looking for something new and exciting to explore, Dinosaur National Monument has endless things to do and see for everyone to enjoy!
For an outdoor adventure and a hike, head to the Fossil Discovery Trail. This hike is 2.4 miles in length out and back and will take you past a variety of rock and fossil formations.
10. Aspen
East of Grand Junction lies Aspen where you can experience one of Colorado’s most prominent and luxurious mountain towns.
Aspen is full of gorgeous mountainous landscapes, fine dining, world-class, and shopping. It’s also a skier’s paradise, and truly has something for everyone to enjoy.
When you hit the slopes in the winter, there are 4 different ski areas to choose from: Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Aspen Mountain. Each of these slopes has something unique to offer and will make for a memorable experience out on the slopes.
If skiing is not your thing and you are searching for the best Colorado winter vacation spots for non-skiers, Aspen is still a great vacation spot for you and totally worth the drive from Grand Junction!
Instead of an outdoor adventure, learn about the history behind this beautiful town at Aspen’s Past to Present Historic Tour!
For more of an outdoor adventure in the area during summer, fall, or spring, head over to the Maroon Bells where you can take in fantastic mountain views. Go on a hike that will have you in awe of the incredible views surrounding you.
Aspen is about 130 miles from Grand Junction and it takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes to get there. The drive is so worth it due to the amazing views, incredible food and dining scene, and endless outdoor excursions you can embark on.
If you wish to stay in the area for a bit longer than a quick day trip, book a stay at the St. Regis Aspen Resort.
This hotel is in a phenomenal location right near Aspen Mountain Ski Resort and within walking distance of countless restaurants and endless shopping.
11. Canyonlands National Park
This is one of Utah’s most beautiful and famous landmarks and an excellent day trip from Grand Junction.
Canyonlands National Park will have you falling in love with the area and wanting to explore even more either with the views from your vehicle or with an epic adventure.
There are countless things to witness and explore in this national park including the Native American paintings throughout Horseshoe Canyon.
Check out the Chesler Park Viewpoint trail, which is a hike 5.4-mile out and back trail. It will take you through some gorgeous canyons and various landscapes that will have you in awe of your surroundings and the red rock formations around you.
Map of Day Trips from Grand Junction
Final thoughts: Day Trips from Grand Junction
Day trips from Grand Junction are a terrific way to explore the surrounding towns and landmarks within Colorado and Utah!
Whether you want to explore the great outdoors, relax in one of the many fantastic hot springs near Grand Junction, or explore a new city, these are the best day trips from Grand Junction, Colorado!
Ready to head to Colorado? Check out more resources below!
Author Bio: Abby Price, from Trekking Price’s, is a travel writer enthusiastic about seeing more of the world and embarking on endless outdoor adventures. She is passionate about inspiring other people to travel more, try new hobbies, and live life to the fullest.
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My Favorite Travel Tips + Resources
Here is a quick glance at all my go-to travel tips and resources that I use to plan every trip! For more information, check out my travel resources page.
- Booking flights: I use Google Flights to check all routes and find the best flights. Then I compare Skyscanner (for the lowest prices) before I book.
- Accommodations: I love budget-friendly rentals or booking at a hotel where I can earn points.
- For hotels, I go through Booking.com or book directly with Marriott (for points + rewards).
- When I travel internationally, I’ll book through Hostelworld for very budget-friendly stays.
- For vacation rentals, use Vrbo or Marriott Homes & Villas.
- Expedia also has some great bundles for hotels, flights, and car rentals altogether.
- Transportation: Transportation covers car rentals, trains, and buses. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Car Rentals: I love renting cars through Discover Cars. They have been consistent and provide the best customer service.
- Trains in Asia: Trip.com has the best options!
- Trains in Europe: Trainline or Omio.
- Visa Application: For a hassle-free process, apply for your visa from iVisa.
- Travel Credit Card: I book all my travel (flights, hotels, car rentals) through Chase Sapphire.
- Vaccines and Medications: Check the CDC website for updates on necessary vaccines to enter a country, including updates on Covid-19 and recommended places to visit. I recommend getting all the vaccines you need before you go!
- Tours + Experiences: I absolutely love my tours! Everything from eerie walking ghost tours to food tours, I’ll usually book something every trip either through Viator or GetYourGuide.
- Entertainment: Looking for entertainment like sporting events, theater shows, or concerts? Book with Ticket Squeeze!
- Tech: Keep your internet browsing safe, secure, and fast with ExpressVPN
- Language Learning: The best place to learn a new language is through Babbel as you travel to countries you don’t know the language.
- What to Pack: I almost always travel by backpack. For products I like, check out my packing guide page for all the things I take with me on different trips.
