From the mountains surrounding us to the Colorado River flowing through our valley, people all over the country come to explore Fruita’s scenic wonders. Our town is known for its outdoorsy, nature-loving community; hiking is one of the biggest attractions to many living here. Whether you’re interested in shorter, flatter hikes or longer, higher-elevation tests of courage, the valley has a trail that will be perfect for your interests.
If you’re seeking easy hiking trails, routes like the Riverfront Trail, The Petroglyph Trail, and the Window Rock Trail are opportunities to experience natural beauty without breaking a sweat. First, the Riverfront Trail in Grand Junction is a 16-mile paved path along the Colorado River. There are multiple exit points, and in the spring, there are a lot of plants and animals to watch.
Second, the Petroglyph Trail in Fruita is completely flat, allowing hikers to explore ancient rock carvings along a 2-mile loop that’s perfect for families.
Third, the Little Park Road Trail provides an easy, 1.5-mile hike to enjoy wildflowers and breathtaking canyon views without much elevation gain.
Fourth, the 2-mile round-trip hike at the Colorado National Monument’s Window Rock Trail showcases impressive rock formations with minimal effort.
Lastly, the 1-mile round-trip hike to the Soda Canyon Overlook in the monument offers a gentle ascent with rewarding panoramic views.
If you’re up for a challenge,there are longer and higher elevation trails like the Devil’s Canyon Trail System, the Mica Mine trail, and Monument Canyon. For example, Devils Canyon is a 6.8 mile loop open to everyone. Dogs, horseback riding, and bird watching are all encouraged, and it takes about 3 hours.
The Mica Mine trail is 2.7 miles, and is considered easier than Devils Canyon, but is still a hike enjoyable for everyone. It leads you to a stunning historic site for Quartz and Mica mining.
Monument Canyon, in total, is 11.6 miles and takes roughly 5-6 hours to complete. It’s very popular so you’ll see other people, and the incline within the first two miles is a good workout.
The valley has lots of amazing hiking paths for people of all ages and abilities. Get outside, enjoy the views, and go for a walk; it’s beneficial for the mind and body.