Outdoor Activities

Biking:

Mountain bike trails range from beginner rides like the Rolling Double Track around Horse Mountain to challenging climbs up Rapid Creek, which cascades down from the top of Grand Mesa.  For road touring, choose from three different routes of the Fruit Loop Cycling Tour:  ride along the Colorado River and through a beautiful setting of orchards and vineyards.  Rentals and bike sales are available in town, Rapid Creek Cycles.

River Floating:

Take a scenic float trip on the Colorado River from Palisade to James M. Robb Colorado River State Park at Corn Lake. One of Palisade’s gems is Riverbend Park, with a boat ramp called Harky’s Launch.  Rentals include rafts, canoes and kayaks.

Hiking

Hike the Mt. Garfield Trail for the best views of the Grand Valley. Four miles east on Interstate 70, trails lead up Coal and Main Canyons into the Little Bookcliffs Wild Horse Range - one of only three federally-protected wild horse areas in the United States. Rapid Creek offers an opportunity to hike alongside a beautiful stream. The Pictograph Trail has some of the Grand Valley’s finest pictograph panels.

Sightseeing:

Sightseeing opportunities include a drive through the area’s vineyards and orchards, a ride up the Grand Mesa National Scenic Byway, or a visit to nearby Colorado National Monument, to name a few. At over 10,500 feet, Grand Mesa is known as the world’s largest flat top mountain and is home to moose, bear, elk, deer and more than 200 lakes.

Skiing:

With an average snowfall of 250 inches and a vertical drop of 1,650 feet, Powderhorn Ski Resort is located just beneath the top of Grand Mesa. It offers great skiing for all abilities of skiers. Nordic skiing includes more than 50 miles of groomed trails atop the Grand Mesa.