Beautiful vistas. incredible formations of rock with deep canyons and unique opportunities to see the work of nature. Not too large that it cannot be enjoyed in a matter of two or three hours - but longer is always better. See it if you can -- you will not be sorry.
Every July, when we can look up and see that the snow has melted, we go up to Grand Mesa to take pictures of the wildflowers. GM is COVERED in huge fields of flowers in the summer! It is a reliable place to find Colorado Columbine, but there are many many more kinds including a couple that I've never seen anywhere else (in particular, a White/purple type of Mariposa Lily). In October we always make an annual trip up to look at the aspen and maybe find the season's first snow, before it comes to the valley. In the spring things are mucky and wet (the price for the summer flowers!), but the fresh smell of the mountain air is great. In the winter GM is a great place for XC skiing or downhill at Powderhorn. I've been up there many many times, but there is something new every visit. Great for fishing and hiking. I've seen Elk up there, and of course deer and marmots, but no moose as yet (altho they are there, I just haven't seen any). The dirt road to Land's end is not rough and has the best flowers as well as great views (but the bathrooms leave something to be desired). The dirt road DOWN from Land's End is easy enough for a 2-wheel drive car if you can pay attention. Don't miss the falls, about a mile down from where the road takes off the mesa.
Grand Mesa is a unique flat top mountain area covered i hundreds of lakes. In the summer you can enjoy the cool temperatures and the wonderful smell of the mountains. In the winter you can enjoy Powderhorn Ski Area, cross country skiing, sledding and snowmobiling. It's a beautiful diverse area with beautiful views of the Grand Valley.
A local on the street gave us the suggestion to go for this drive on the Grand Mesa. We really did not expect anything major, only there over night waiting on a plane. It was certainly a huge surprise to see that this 26 mile drive along the cliffs was one of the most magnificent views imaginable. The view and the terrain was so nice. There are stop points for pictures about every mile. Independence monument was very impressive. Hard to believe people climb that every Independence day and plant a flag. If you are in the area, this is really worth the drive.
The Grand Mesa has excellent hiking in summer. Our favorite trail is Crag Crest, which traverses across a rocky spine with panoramic views. It also has great groomed Nordic Trails in winter. We usually snowshoe at either Skyway or Ward Lake.
This amazing plateau on the Western Slope of Colorado is one of the most beautiful places to explore in every season. The colors of the foliage highlight whatever season you visit; The vistas from viewpoints are various and wide; The drive itself is both relaxing, exciting, and awe-inspiring; and the surrounding area full of orchards and gardens is a great place to spend hours, and days, of time. The environment surrounding the mesa is about as varied as it can be... Utah's desert is apparent to the West: The forested areas and ski slopes are nearby; the "banana belt" of Colorado's agriculture is to the South; and to the East, the mountains and all that the Rockies offer. I grew up in this part of Colorado and really appreciate the area for its beauty and all else that it has to offer. This is a part of the United States that shows us how precious our natural resources, National Forests and National Parks really are. I suggest that if you get the chance, visit.Nearby sites you must also visit: The Colorado National Monument (where many car ads used to be filmed atop the pinnacles of some really spectacular rock formations) is just a little West of the mesa; and Dinosaur National Monument, another place that is near to my heart, is not too far West from Grand Mesa and you will be astonished with the difference in the environments if you visit those three locations on one trip. South of the Mesa (and South of Montrose) lie the San Juan mountain range and one of the most hair-raising and gorgeous highway passes I've ever traveled over in any season... with the Silverton to Durango steam railway as another way to view that spectacular scenery - so there are MANY reasons to visit Western Colorado.
Spectacular 3 hour snowmobile tour with owner/guide Mike. Starting at Grand Mesa Lodge going all the way to Land's End. We stopped numerous times to enjoy the spectacular views with Mike pointing out points of interest along the way! The views were spectacular and I would highly recommend Mike's tours!
Excellent place with a great landscape, before winter season the yellow colors are fantastic. This place is not to far from Grand Junction and has a lot of options to ecotourism.
I have lived in grand junction for 22years. I love grand mesa. The lodge in grand mesa serves great food and its a brand new lodge. A fire burned down the old one but this be w lodge can't be beat. There's great fishing camping and lakes as well as great hiking trails. I give this five stars
I skat ski the Grand Mesa Nordic Council trails weekly during the winter. At over 11,000' elevation they will test anybodies aerobic conditioning! And the snow is almost always the best anywhere. Free skiing area but suggest you become a supporting member if you ski often, or at least donate as there is a box at the trailhead.