Grand Junction is located in beautiful western Colorado, surrounded by gorgeous canyons, rivers, and mountains. This vibrant city has a lively downtown, a burgeoning arts and culture scene, and endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. One of the best parts of living in or visiting Grand Junction is the multitude of parks that allow residents and visitors to enjoy the incredible natural scenery and pleasant year-round sunshine.
From massive recreation areas perfect for hiking, biking, and camping to quaint neighborhood parks ideal for picnics and playground time, Grand Junction has a park to match practically any interest or need. The city and surrounding Mesa County maintain over 40 public parks encompassing more than 4,000 acres of land. Many parks offer shelters and event rental spaces, sports fields and courts, and fun amenities ranging from skate parks to disc golf courses.
In this article we will highlight 12 fantastic parks in Grand Junction you won’t want to miss on your next visit.
Las Colonias Park
Las Colonias Park is often considered the crown jewel of Grand Junction’s park system. Encompassing over 132 acres in the scenic Colorado River Valley, Las Colonias Park offers streams, ponds, gardens, trails of varying difficulty levels, playgrounds, an off-leash dog area, picnic spots, and breathtaking views.
The park also contains a professionally designed 18-hole disc golf course that attracts disc golfers from across Colorado and beyond. With many tee pads and baskets located along the Colorado River, players are treated to amazing scenery. Amenities include restrooms and a small concession stand. Las Colonias Park has athletic fields for soccer, softball, football and other sports that can be reserved for games and tournaments.
Throughout the year the park hosts runs, festivals, shows, and cultural events that are very popular with locals and tourists. The Dinosaur Journey Museum is also located in Las Colonias Park, making it an ideal place for families to visit.
Riverfront Trail
Stretching over 10 miles along the scenic Colorado River through the heart of Grand Junction, the Riverfront Trail is a paved multiuse path perfect for walking, running, biking, rollerblading and all types of non-motorized recreation. The trail runs through the city parallel to Riverside Parkway and connects many parks, attractions, and neighborhoods.
One of the most popular sections of the Riverfront Trail is the 2.9 mile stretch that runs through Las Colonias Park. This path sees heavy foot and pedal traffic as it takes users by the Colorado River, small fishing ponds, the botanical gardens and the disc golf course. Other trail highlights include the art sculptures dotted along its length and the view it provides of the Bookcliff mountain range.
The Riverfront Trail also goes through the Audubon Nature Preserve, giving people the chance to do some birdwatching in between other recreational activities.
Canyon View Park
Boasting some of the most spectacular red rock vistas along the Colorado River in Grand Junction, the 715 acre Canyon View Park should not be missed. The park’s has 1.5 miles of Colorado riverfront and includes a pedestrian bridge that crosses the river, connecting to horse and biking trails.
Canyon View Park is one of the most popular locations in town to access the many excellent single track mountain biking and hiking trails that traverse the steep terrain and slick rock formations visible from the park. Mountain bikers and hikers will enjoy stellar views of the river canyon and valley.
The park has covered picnic tables, a large group picnic shelter, playgrounds with climbing structures, a multi-use sports field, basketball court, sand volleyball pits, horseshoe pits, and a BMX track. Canyon View Park frequently hosts outdoor concerts, races, and youth sports events and tournaments.
Grand Mesa Park
Sitting at over 6,100 feet elevation with panoramic vistas, Grand Mesa Park contains peaceful subalpine forests perfect for camping, fishing, hiking and escaping the summer heat. Encompassing 688 acres about 35 miles outside Grand Junction, the park contains six stocked fishing lakes that produce excellent trout catches. Licenses are required for anglers over age 16.
There are 21 campsites at the park with electric hookups on a first-come, first-served basis. Drinking water, restrooms with running water and coin-operated showers are available for campers. Close to 20 miles of multi-use trails allow for hiking and horseback riding on the scenic mesa top, which has an extensive road system for ATVs.
Winter activities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing. A large log cabin hall can be rented year round for events and special occasions. With gorgeous scenery and crisp air, Grand Mesa Park is a supremely tranquil place to connect with nature.
Matchett Park
Occupying over 37 acres in east Orchard Mesa, Matchett Park contains large open fields, shaded picnic spots, playgrounds, an outdoor basketball court and a skatepark. The park’s eight athletic fields have lighting and are meticulously maintained for baseball, softball, soccer and football, attracting thousands of youth athletes each week.
With long distances between many fields and other park elements, Matchett Park has an internal trail system to facilitate pedestrian and golf cart transportation. The park can get very busy, so visitors should expect crowds if there are tournaments or events happening. A small concession stand provides snacks and drinks when open.
Colorado Riverfront Commission
While not a traditional park, the Colorado Riverfront Commission oversees Riverfront at Dos Rios Park, a scenicdesignated open space area at the confluence of the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers just north of downtown Grand Junction. This meeting point of two legendary waterways has cultural significance for Native American tribes indigenous to the region.
Riverfront at Dos Rios Park contains a class 1 bike path trail system with connections to the larger Grand Junction trail network. The park has a small beach area that allows visitors to wade into the merging rivers during warmer months. Well-maintained restroom facilities and parking areas make this an excellent spot for taking in views of the rivers while enjoying a picnic or going for a short stroll along the waterfront.
As an open space area, Riverfront at Dos Rios Park sees frequent bird and wildlife activity, offering nature lovers stellar opportunities for viewing several animal species.
Wingate Elementary School Park
Adjacent to Wingate Elementary School in Grand Junction’s Redlands neighborhood sits a sweet little park containing playground equipment atop a cushioned rubber surface. Well-suited for young children, the park has swings, slides, climbing apparatus, a spongy foam pad play area and a splash pad style water feature to help kids stay cool in the summer heat.
Shade canopies and benches allow parents, grandparents and guardians to relax while supervising their kids. The playground area has a low fence with three gates as well as nearby parking. Outdoor fitness equipment like elliptical cross trainers and recumbent bikes offer adults options for activity as well. Guests can access bathrooms when school is open or special events are happening on school grounds.
This neighborhood park offers families with small children a fun place for play dates and get-togethers in an unassuming setting. Its central location provides easy access for the Redlands community.
Grand Junction Motor Speedway Park
Just west of Grand Junction municipal airport sits the Grand Junction Motor Speedway, which contains a little known park perfect for watching races and events at the speedway. The Grand Junction Motor Speedway Park has a grass seating area, dedicated restroom building, and food vendors during races.
The park allows spectators to set up tents and chairs trackside for excellent views of the figure 8 race track along with drag racing and go-kart course. Many fans take advantage of the ability to park RVs right at the facility so they can camp at the races. The park creates an infield environment where fans can mingle with each other and feel closely connected to the racing action.
The speedway offers a full season of racing entertainment from March through October. Fans will want to check the schedule for theme nights that include stunt shows, demolition derbies and other special attractions. With its festive, lively ambience, the little park at Grand Junction Motor Speedway is definitely worth a visit.
Adventure Park
For families seeking a fun outdoor challenge, Adventure Park at James M. Robb Colorado River State Park is the perfect destination. Located just over seven miles east of downtown Grand Junction, Adventure Park contains an aerial treetop ropes course with over 50 elements like wobbly bridges, beams, cargo nets, zip lines and more!
The self-guided ropes course allows participants to choose their own route based on skill level across three progressively harder trails. All climbers wear harnesses attached via smart belay systems to safety cables. The park also provides introductory training before anyone starts. In total, Adventure Park has 12 zip lines ranging from 20 to 400 feet long and 15 to 65 feet high.
Other park attractions include a climbing wall, Leaps of Faith, bungee jump and giant swing. Prices vary by activity and there are family rates available. Adventure Park provides an unforgettable experience scaling through and soaring above a riverside forest. Don’t forget your camera for fantastic photos!
Lunch Loop Park
Named for its location on part of the popular mountain biking Lunch Loop trail system, Lunch Loop Park offers a trailhead, parking, restrooms, picnic tables, an informational kiosk and repair tools for cyclists. The park provides convenient access to over 40 miles of buffed-out, flowy singletrack trails meandering through classic western desert scenery rich in slick rock just a few miles northwest of Grand Junction.
Lunch Loop trails have earned regional and national acclaim for their combination of fun bike handling challenges with sweeping scenic vistas. The area attracts mountain bikers of all ages and skill levels, from families with small kids to hardcore shredders. Many fast downhillers utilize Lunch Loop trails to train for competitions.
The parking area has a map board to help riders navigate trail options as short as 1 mile and up to 13 miles. Lunch Loop Park gives mountain bikers and trail runners the perfect starting point to explore the storied Lunch Loop trail network.
Pineridge Park
Pineridge Park contains six tennis courts, a basketball court, playground, walking trails, restrooms, ample parking and open grass areas available for reservation. Visitors can enjoy casual games of tennis, shoot hoops, take children to the playground, host birthday parties or other small gatherings, walk dogs on leash, have picnics under the shade trees, fly kites and more.
Located in east Orchard Mesa adjacent to a residential area, the 12 acre park includes over 1,000 trees irrigated via the canal system managed by Grand Valley Water Users Association. Pineridge Park underwent improvements in 2019 adding the playground, resurfacing the tennis courts, upgrading irrigation systems and landscaping.
The open lawn areas work nicely for informal frisbee, catch, yoga and other pursuits. Leashed pets are welcomed as long as owners clean up after them. With amenities suited for singles, couples and families, scenic Pineridge Park delights visitors on Grand Junction’s Orchard Mesa.
Broadway Park
Tucked among residential streets just blocks from downtown Grand Junction, shady Broadway Park provides green space for neighbors to enjoy. Mature trees surround the park consisting of a large open grass field, basketball court, playground, restrooms and picnic tables.
The field and court area have lighting allowing for evening pickup games and get-togethers. Families appreciate the toddler swings and play structures sized for younger children. Broadway Park contains several memorial benches and a 9/11 Remembrance Garden honoring first responders killed in the 2001 attacks.
Throughout the warmer months, the park may be rented on weekends for birthday parties, family reunions, etc. Visitors not renting the facilities are still welcome to use unreserved areas. For its convenient location and classic neighborhood park amenities, Broadway Park is a local gem.
Conclusion
Grand Junction has a diverse assortment of terrific parks perfect for every kind of recreational need. From quiet neighborhood playgrounds to huge recreation areas with enough amenities and activities to keep families occupied for days, residents and visitors of all ages will find wonderful environments to enjoy. Exploring these 12 great parks highlights the best of Grand Junction’s outdoor lifestyle with awesome places for sports, appreciation of nature, gatherings with friends and creating unforgettable memories.