Grand Mesa Reviews

We live 50 mins from the GM and love going up there in all seasons. Kayaking and fishing are great in the summer. Snowmobiling in the winter. But in summer the bugs are a nightmare. You must use some sort of repellent. The mosquitoes try to go through your long sleeved shirts. It's cool in the evenings and generally 30degrees cooler than in Grand Junction. Showers develop pretty much every afternoon for a while but they pass through. But it's great for hiking, camping and pretty much every outdoor pursuit.

Wish I only had time to fish the many lakes all around. Careful on motorcycles - paving and oil work in progress.

Great place to go for the day and take the family fishing. We live close by, so we usually don't stay the night. There are several lodges that offer cabins for rent, and they are currently building a new one on Hotel Twin Lake this going to be spectacular!

October is a beautiful time of year to catch the changing colors. The beauty is as far as the eye can see. Words or pictures really do not do it justice you really need to experience it.

Liveky drive up to the Mesa for cooler weater and beautifil sceenery. A quick escape or w week/weekend getaway camping and hanging with nature, never a dissapointment.

Drove through here in Mid April - still lots of snow on the ground so lake walks not open - saw some wildlife too

We camped at Junction campground.Really nice spot.Lakes and trails. Beautiful road to Grand Mesa.Cute little stores and Laundry.Very nice people.Saw my first bear.

We followed reviews and entered from the South 50 to 65 through Dillon. Visitor center is far in, nearly at top of Mesa. If we did it again, we would enter from North, 70, drive to visitor center and do the lookout 5 miles north or visitor center, and turn around and retract back to 70. We did not go to lookout as the first 6 of 12 mile drive was gravel and we had a rental. Lots of lakes. Looked for moose with no luck. Worth the drive but don't go out of your way. Drive across 80 is just as pretty.

We ride the motorcycle over the Grand Mesa often and it's spectacular in autumn. Nice winding roads and 20 degrees cooler than the valley. We usually stop for lunch at the Creekside cafe in Cedaredge. Mesa Lakes Lodge is also scenic with decent food though we had no service last time we tried to eat there. We left and went to Cedaredge/Creekside and had an excellent lunch. You can go out to lands end and feed the chipmunks and look over the valley.

A must see if visiting anywhere near Grand Junction, CO. Views cannot be described in a review. Even pictures on the internet doesn't take your breath away like seeing it in person.

Took family from Iowa to see life above 2000 feet where they live. A different eco system from our desert areas, the Monument, and the Valley. We hit the foliage change at peak conditions. We drove up Lands End Road to the Observatory for overall views and out to hwy 65 and all the lakes over a 10 mile stretch. Each season turns the Mesa into a different experience. They could not believe the variety of landscape that makes up the 'Grand Valley'.

Lovely views of the Grand Valley! Aspens and wildflowers are beautiful in the late spring, fall, an winter. Wonderful place to picnic!

The park staff were friendly and helpful. There are numerous pullouts to view the formations and we were able to see wildlife including mountain goats.

The view from Crag Crest Trail was absolutely stunning. We hiked six miles in, camped out, and hiked four miles out the next day. My only complaint are the mosquitos, thank goodness we brought bug repellant. An excellent hike, make sure to bring enough water!

If you are into outdoor sports, The Grand Mesa is for you. Wintertime: Downhill skiing/snowboarding at Powderhorn Resort; cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling atop the Mesa. Springtime: Hiking, fishing, mountain biking (once the snow has melted away). Summertime: Same as spring, only now you can ride the mountain trails at Powderhorn. Fall: Same as the summer. Powderhorn has events throughout the year. Warning: Be sure to take insect repellent for summertime fun.

The Grand Mesa doesn't look so "grand" from the Grand Valley. To experience the grandiosity one has to make the trip up and over - from Mesa to Cedaredge. The first thought might be, "Hey, this thing is pretty big." And that thought would be right on. The Grand Mesa is the largest flat top mountain in the world! It encompasses over 500 square miles of lakes, forests and beauty. It's worth a look see. Pack a picnic lunch and go exploring! You can't go wrong.

Beautiful views for an afternoon adventure if staying in Grand Junction. Take a little drive through Grand Mesa, we went on national parks weekend so it was free.

I visited family in Grand Junction Colorado and they took me to the Grand Mesa. The views were breath taking. The hiking was a blast and fairly easy even for a beginner like myself. A must see if you are visiting the area!!

This area is gorgeous and quite a change from all the surrounding red rock atmosphere. Still a good amount of snow in June which was fun. Really enjoyed the national forest visitors center. Beautiful rustic building.

While visiting family in Grand Junction, we drove up to the Grand Mesa. It was April and there was still tons of snow on the ground, but not on the road. It even snowed on us on the way up, just a light dusting. For Los Angelenos, this was the best snow experience we've ever had. We got to play in the snow and see it falling and feel 19 degree weather but all without having to shovel snow or put chains or ever be in danger. Tons of fun. We would love to come back in the Fall to see what the area looks like when its not all white! A very nice, long drive up and over the mesa is well worth the time.

On way to Black Canyon of Gunnison, drove the Grand Mesa scenic byway which offered numerous open vistas. Hiked the Mesa Lakes trail which goes to 3 different lakes and provides a good wilderness experience and some refreshing evergreen air.

I'm local, so I go to the Grand Mesa quite a bit. Friends have homes and cabins. There's lots of lakes...some have fishing, some don't and are deceiving for the un-familiar. Craigs Crest trail is a TOTAL local favorite.

Moose were released in an area about ten years ago and are thriving. You'll be lucky if you see one tho'. Come to the Annual Moose celebration in spring and they'll tell you how. Contact the Grand Mesa Forest Service.

Mushrooming is common in season. Most important is to know your mushrooms.

Mesa Lakes is fun for families ( my daughter caught her first fish there)

In the winter, you can ski to the top of Powderhorn Ski Area from Mesa Lakes Lodge.

X-country skiing at 'County line" is also delightful, and I know there are alot of snowmobilers who love their trails on the other side of the highway. (I'm not a snowmobiler tho')

There's always something new to see on the Mesa. Any season. Bring mosquito repellant if you visit in the warmer months, just in case. They can be fierce. s

The trails/grooming for skate and classic skiing are the best at Grand Mesa Nordic. In summer, we loved hiking Crag Crest trail, and enjoyed mountain-biking in summer on top of the Mesa.

We heard about Jumbo from other campers in 2015. We had no idea there was a campground on Grand Mesa that had electric. To be clear: there is electric only. No water hook-up and no sewer hook-up. In fact there is not a RV dump on Grand Mesa that I am aware of. The campground has water available via spigots. There are vault toilets. The campsites here are truly beautiful each equipped with a lantern hook, a table, and a fire pit. The hosts keep the campsites and the toilets very clean. Some sites are quite open and sunny, others have a lot of vegetation and shade from pine trees. If you are concerned about satellite TV reception, keep this in mind. All sites are gravel and most seem to be reasonably level. We stayed in Site 22 with a 32 foot travel trailer and a 20 foot tow vehicle and there was plenty of room. Satellite TV was a little difficult due to trees but we got reception. I had great internet & phone. The Visitor Center has many trail maps for hiking and there are plenty of fishing opportunities. We enjoyed our stay very much and can recommend this campground. There is a reservation system in place which ends after Labor Day. Even after Labor Day, at least for a while, the campground fills up on the weekends but sites open up during the week.

You can't go wrong with a trip to the top of Grand Mesa. In many places the views are fantastic, both eastward toward the lake district and westward toward the Utah badlands. There is a good Visitor's Center and several easy short hikes at the top. Stop and get a map and more information. Beware of the summer black flies and mosquitos which thrive near the lakes and feeder streams. The air is clean and the wildflowers a happy sight for the city-stressed. Main roads are paved. Secondary roads are graded. Most unimproved roads passable without 4WD except in wet weather. Highly recommended for a day trip or a very scenic drive through.

We visited Grand Mesa in March and I am so glad we did! It was breath taking all around. We went during a snowy season so decided to do snowmobiles through Grand Mesa lodge, best decision we made. It was the highlight of our trip! They owners were so kind and generous. Our tour guide (which was one of the owners) took his time and stopped at beautiful scenic views throughout the tour. The tour was very well priced and worth every penny! I cannot recommend the snowmobile enough and if you aren’t up for an adventure, at least stop in the lodge. They have a restaurant and a bar with an amazing view.

Stunning scenery at every turn. We enjoyed several lake side hikes and saw bear tracks on the shoreline of Ward Lake. The scenic drive down from the Mesa took us to Cedaredge where we visited the Pioneer Town Museum. Thus is also well worth a visit.

We went up the day after a snow to see the Fall colors the first week of October. The snow had knocked down most of the Aspen leaves at high altitude but at Mid altitude the aspen trees were gorgeous. From your car you get breathtaking views of the aspen trees and broad vistas of the surrounding mountains. Next year I will be back a little earlier.

Drove up to do some fishing! It was great, not crowded on a Friday afternoon. Mesa Lakes area has easily accessible places to fish and you can see the fish in the lakes which is fun! The cool temperature was refreshing. There were mosquitos, but the bug spray kept them away!

I was staying in Grand Junction, Colorado and had time to visit Grand Mesa. It was a wonderful experience and what I saw was both beautiful and unexpected. The temperature in Grand Junction was quite warm but by the time I got to the top of Grand Mesa the temperature was below freezing and there was snow and ice everywhere. I hadn't realized that the Mesa was actually over 10,000 ft. and still snow packed in many places. But the 5 hour drive (including stops) 140 mile loop was wonderful and well worth the time.

Always a delight and privilege to go walking on the Mesa! Great views and fishing. Fun for kids and adults.

We took the long way to Glenwood Springs by detouring west and through Grand Mesa. In many places you would think it was 1969; hippies and natural and vegan opportunities everywhere. Pick your own fruit orchards too.

Just an amazing place to walk, and think. Tons of outdoor activities for every age. I was in awe of how big this place really is, but also disappointed to know how much water it is losing over the years :-( Check it out we know you will love this place.

We visited the first week of October. The leaves were in full change, there were very few other tourists to compete with, and the weather was gorgeous. Couldn't have asked for better day.

We came from Salt Lake City for a quick escape to this amazing splendor of breathtaking beauty. We are originally from Colorado but had never been to Grand Mesa and I'm so happy to say we experienced this awesome creation. Clean, fresh crisp air, our lungs took it all in. We camped in our little Subaru at campground for $12, can't remember the name there are many sites out there, anyhow it was surround by large trees of all sorts. We woke up to deer grazing across from us as we stared at their beauty, they were not frightened by our movements but cautiously stared back with their big brown eyes. The views from the Mesa were so enlightening and uplifting. It definitely was Grand and awe inspiring, we didn't want to leave. For a moment we were taken away from reality and it left us refreshed until we visit again.

Stayed in Cedaredge to access Grand Mesa over the Labor Day weekend. Baron Lake hike (5 mi), Flowing Park Loop Dirt bike ride (15 mi), and an awesome side trip to the Land's End Overlook. We live in Paradise.

Grand Mesa . . . amazing place with a bounty of activities awaiting.

A drive from Grand Junction over Grand Mesa is a nice day trip. Beautiful drive and depending on what direction you began you can find a place for lunch along the drive. Plan on at least a half day drive.

Beautiful alpine scenery including wildflower-filled meadows, over 300 alpine lakes that are as clear as glass, Powderhorn Ski Resort and Mountain Biking, so many things to o and see here. The Visitors Center is very nice , with clean restrooms and a great gift shop. Wildlife in abundance , you may spy a moose, a bear, a deer, or even a whistle pig ! The fall colors of the Aspen trees make for an excellent color drive for " leaf peepers" ! Several resorts atop the mountain offer cabins to stay in, canoes, kayaks and snowmobiles for rent, it's an overall terrific place to visit for a day, weekend, and even a full week for campers, hikers, skiers and everyone that enjoys the outdoors.

Grew up camping, skiing, snow machining, hiking and enjoying the great outdoors up on the Mesa! Wonderful times ❣️

Spent most of a day here with kids. Very nice views. A good drive and pull over trip. Great for pictures

Always a great place to go, any season, any time. Whether you just drive through or stop to hike and fish.

I am fortunate enough to live in Grand Junction, and still visit the Grand Mesa multiple times a year. Each season has it's own beauty, but Fall is spectacular! We make sure that we take all of our houseguests up to enjoy the scenery. There are hundreds of lakes to fish or boat/kayak in while enjoying the natural beauty. Take the drive back Lands End Road and look out over the whole Grand Valley. If you're adventurous, take Lands End Road (gravel) down the Mountain. Last year we actually had a very large bear wander out in front of us. In Winter, visit Powderhorn Resort to ski or snowboard. Don't miss it if you have the opportunity to visit!

It was beautiful scenery throughout, people camping on frozen lakes, couldn't explore that much due to snow

My husband created a birthday event for me at Thunder Mountain Lodge. We stayed in one of their pleasant cabins; complete with kitchen, bath and comfy beds. We took their 3 hour guided snowmobile tour and were impressed with the scope and variety of trails and scenery that we experienced! A wonderful experience! Would highly recommend it!

The Grand Mesa is the largest flat-top mountain in the US and is a wonderful place to get away from it all. My father loved taking me fishing here and let me tell you, there are a ton of lakes to choose from. Definitely worth the drive up for the view alone!

I have lived in Grand Junction all my life. My family and I have gone fishing, hiking, camping, or just to go for a picnic lunch or eat lunch and stay at one of the lodges.

Abundance of beautiful mountain lakes, good fishing, hiking trails, and wonderfully cool temperatures. We love it. And always beautiful fall colors.

I love the Grand Mesa. Even though this mountain appears less dramatic than its pointy-topped neighbors, it is the largest flat-top mountain in the world with all sorts of recreational offerings on its flanks. Over the years I’ve snowshoed here, spent the night in a cabin in the woods, rode my Ducati around its tight curves from Cedaredge to Debeque, watched golden aspen leaves flutter above myriad lakes, and carved the slopes at the ever-so-charming Powderhorn ski area.

It is pretty, less-known, and underrated – my kind of getaway. I’d love to do some more exploration of the area on foot sometime.

If you love the west, and you love the outdoors you'll love this place. Camping, fishing, hiking, biking, boating, it's all here. Great views, amazing in the fall.

This was a great drive on a beautiful sunny day! Before I knew it I was up at the top of the Mesa looking down at one of the many small communities. The view from here was outstanding and I could see for MILES! This is a drive you'll never forget!

My family and I went to Grand Mesa to snow shoe. Beautiful drive up and wonderful hiking in the snow. Still had about 10 feet of snow. Would definitely return.

It was at least 30 degrees cooler than Grand Junction. Heavenly in the summer. The drive was lovely. We stopped at the Visitor Center. It was small, but informative. We backtrackked to the Observation Center and then drove down from there. If you are uncomfortable on gravel roads and switchbacks, this road is not for you. I grew up driving on those, so no big deal. It's not quite two cars wide. There are plenty of pull offs. Don't take an RV or a large trailer down it though. There are length restrictions.

snow on the Grand Mesa has been deep this year so it will probably last into late June. fishing is always good great for family . there are several restaurants to chose from an lodges

Tons of lakes to fish in. Just don't forget your bug spray. A lot of the places we went I wished I would have had pants on instead of shorts. Lots of outhouses which is nice when you have girls that don't like to squat 😆

We ventured up to Grand Mesa National forest for a day hike. Took the crag trail & we all loved the time. Rocks on the 1st & last mile of the trail were rough on our dogs paws but we navigated around it easily.

We were just there last week. This area looks like Mars or another planet a bit. It kind of reminds me of the drive through St George Utah to Mesquite Neveda but not that strong

We have not been up to the Mesa in at least 6 years and its beauty still is astounding. There are activities for everybody and every ability level. The camping sites range from modern to rustic, the hiking trails, both easy and advanced, give breathtaking views that will astound you and the workers are very friendly and helpful.

It's hard to impress someone who lives near Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, and yet I was *seriously* impressed with Grand Mesa. Photos can never do it justice. You have to be there to appreciate it. When people think of "The West" they think of places like Grand Mesa.

When we were visiting a friend in Clifton in Mesa County last week, my hubby suggested we should drive up Grand Mesa as I had not been to the top. With mountain views on the horizon and the Grand Valley below, the Grand Mesa rises up 6,000 feet above Main Street in Grand Junction and 11,000 feet above sea level. About an hour’s drive from Downtown Grand Junction, the Mesa has no main street of its own and little in the way of shops and restaurants, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t teeming with life.

It was spectacular seeing the powdered new snow on the pine trees and as we ascended higher, the snow got thicker and thicker, and there was a blanket of snow on all the slopes and frozen lakes making the Mesa look like Winter Wonderland.

Awesome. We have property on the Mesa and plan to build a cabin there to fully enjoy the beauty of Grand Mesa and the many fishing lakes.

Living in Colorado I did not know this place existed! The park has the same number of lakes as northern Minnesota! Great fishing spots from shorelines, camping was not crowded, biking and hiking great! The topography is amazing, from lush forest to views of the desert looking Mesa mountains. With so much to offer, was surprised it was not crowded but glad it was not! Lots of beautiful secluded camp sites were still available! It is worth the drive from Grand Junction or the Glenwood Springs area! Great for a day of picnicking, hiking or biking!

Very large expanse of natural geographical beauty.

So much to do and obviously varies according to the season - fishing, biking, hiking, snow sports, etc

Epic drive 1.5 hours from Grand Junction.

30 degrees cooler than the valley and waaaay greener.

Home of Powderhorn!!!

Dramatic landscape, great views. Enjoyed driving here in January. Will return in the summer. A must do.

I visited this location with my wife, kids, and grandparents during a trip to Grand Junction. It was a bit of a drive from Grand Junction, but the drive was very scenic with lots of nature and animals for the kids to see.

There are lots of different things to stop and see on both sides of the Mesa. The nature trail at the visitor center at the top was short but just long enough for younger kids.

The Grand Mesa, just east of Grand Junction, CO, is not to be missed! In less than an hour, when it is 90°+ and dusty on the valley floor, the temp will be in the 70s with green forests and sparkling clear lakes....great for fishing, , hiking and biking. It's a great getaway-whether you live in Grand Junction or are just visiting.

All the wonderful things said about Grand Mesa are true. Just go! We went when tons of wildflowers were in bloom. What a sight!

Wonderful view of the surrounding area. Great drive to and from. Wildlife viewing. Interesting history of how this Mesa was formed. Visitor center provides maps.

From the valley, this doesn't look like a mesa (my geology professor said it is more accurately referred to as a plateau). It is close to 11,000 ft high and thus has a very different climate than that of the valley.

The visitor center is open from Memorial Day (some years, they have to delay it) till the last Sunday in September (called Color Sunday). Color Sunday is a wonderful time to visit and see all the lovely yellow aspen trees. And - you can stop in Mesa, where the 4H puts on an amazing turkey dinner - with the most wonderful display of homemade desserts you will ever see.

In the winter - you can ski at Powderhorn. Or you can go watch or participate in ski-joring and watching dog sled races. So much to see.

In the spring,there are wildflowers that bloom through most of the summer.

In the summer, Powerhorn offers weekend bike clinics and downhill biking that is pretty thrilling. Or -- you can go mushroom hunting (chanterelles and morels).

There are lakes for boating as well. And hiking trails aplenty - try the 10 mile Crag's Crest Trail to get to the high point.

You are not far from the city of Grand Junction - but whatever time of year you go - you will feel like you are in another world.

Many great lakes up here and a range of hikes......Always cooler than the valley and not very populated especially during the week. Fishing is usually pretty good.....Close enough for a meandering day with great views though a bit less dramatic than front range cliffs

It is the World's largest flattop mountain.
Beautiful lakes with over a hundred of them.
Once on top the views are breath taking.
There is plenty of wildlife animals.
The fishing is also great.

This Mesa provided us with a cool down from the hot temps in Grand Junction....good family pix taken....all year round place to go...good for biking

Nature at its best. What an experience.really a fantastic experience. Great for the family a must see when you are in that part of the country. Great for seeing wildlife too.

We decided to check out Grand Mesa while on vacation. It was a scenic drive and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The higher we got, the cooler it was so be prepared with a jacket or coat. We took pictures from various stops all along the drive. I'm a little bit nervous of roads built into the side of mountains as they usually have a steep drop-off that I don't handle well but this one wasn't bad at all. There were a few places I was nervous of but for the most part, each side of the road had plenty of space so that you don't feel like you might fall over the side.

Whether you are wanting to camp, fish, go sight seeing, bike, or hike, Grand Mesa has it all and it is beautiful! It also is home to Powderhorn Ski Resort, a small, family friendly ski resort, which offers terrain for the beginner up through seasoned experts. The tree skiing is fabulous, by the way! In summer hiking 6.5 mile Crag Crest trail is just exhilarating. There are other shorter beautiful trails to hike. Always dress in layers for Grand Mesa as the weather is changeable. There is a pull out on the highway above Island Lake. If you are just passing through it is worth it to stop and view. It is my favorite.

Wonderful place to camp, hike, fish, ride ATV's or just enjoy the beauty. Mosquito's can be a problem at certain times of the year.

A very beautiful and peaceful place to go for a picnic, camping, fishing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, hiking, biking..just about anything to do outdoors! Lots of wildlife and just beautiful in the fall when the trees and brush are turning fall color.

This is a great place to go if you love the outdoors,nice lakes,lots of options , good fishing also cabins for rent and a cool little store nearby.make cabin reservations ahead in the summer If you live in western Colorado don't miss out on a visit!

How do rate a whole MOUNTAIN? This one happens to be the largest flat-topped mountain in the world. In summer it's covered with hiking and biking trails, numerous campgrounds, and any number of lakes for fishing. In winter it's a snowmobiler's and cross county skier's mecca. It happens to have a fine ski area on it called Powderhorn (which also has summer biking). When it's hot in the valley, just head up to the Mesa to beat the heat. The views are spectacular, especially when you're near an edge, like at Land's End!

Pictures do not capture the vastness of the view. I took videos that allow me to capture the depth and view. CHIPMUNKS are waiting for you on the wall. Be sure to bring nuts or peanuts to share. The are friendly and eat out of your hand.

This is one of those trips you need to take so you can say you saw it... Beautiful, breath taking scenes.

Lovely high, cool area with lakes and hiking/xc ski trails - mosquitos are common in summer, though, so bring deet! Moose, deer, bear sightings

We are staying in the area for a week and decided to explore a little bit of the Grand Mesa National Forest. We stopped in the visitor’s center first. It is jam packed with great souvenirs: mugs, books, clothing, and a kids section with nature books, games and clothes. There were lots of brochures and trail maps available and the staff was very helpful.
We did 2 shorter trails in the Grand Mesa Lakes area, about 4.5 miles round trip. Trails were easily followed. We saw lots of families and dogs. The lakes were scary low, but with the aspens turning gold, it was still very pretty and enjoyable. You could easily spend several hours out there!

The Grand Mesa is the largest flattop mountain (Mesa) in the USA, and the views are breathtaking! You will find ski resorts, mountain lakes, rivers and trees across the huge expanse of the mountain. You could be hobnobbing on the slopes of the Powderhorn, or in the back woods rough-out camping....you will find it all here!

Took my family for a refreshing weekend and taught my daughter how to fish. Unforgettable memories that will span generations!

The bike trail are very biker friendly and the condos are excellent
If you want a relaxing retreat this is the place.

Spectacular views atop 10,000 foot volcano that blew its top off millions of years ago. Winter cross country skiing is legendary. Summer hikes are fantastic. Can go 2 the point and see miles across the Grand Valley. Ski resort on the drive 2 the top.
Craig Crest Trail ( favorite of locals) shows East and west views for miles with lakes and wildlife and maybe an occasional moose.

The Grand Mesa is the largest flat topped mountain in the US. It is usually 10 degrees cooler than Grand Junction which lies on the valley floor. The mesa sports a variety of fishing opportunities from large splake (lake trout brookie cross) to great cutthroat angling. Check out the guide to Grand Mesa fishing put out by Colorado Parks and Wildlife for detailed information about each lake and stream on the Mesa and what type of fish exist in each body of water. Great place but be prepared for mosquitos in the summer.

Have always loved Grand Mesa. The climb from usually dry and hot summer weather to the cooler green 5000 feet up is well-worth the drive. Wildlife is abundant as are lakes and forests. Taking the Land's End Road down to get back to Grand Valley is harrowing, but worth the effort!

While visiting in Grand Junction our Daughters fiancé and I spent a day fishing and roaming around the Grand Mesa, it was beyond words, the views were spectacular, it is alittle colder than down below so be sure to take additional jacket and gloves if you plan on going in fall for sure. We caught some nice trout, saw a lot of wildlife and the campgrounds are set up perfectly, there are cabins you can rent,after fishing we drove to Lands End, I have never said WOW this many times in 1 day, at least not until we drove down the back side of Lands End on a gravel roadway which was breathtaking to say the least. Make sure your vehicle is in top mechanical condition if you plan on taking this road on the way down. The temperature in Grand Junction was 68 degrees, on top of the Grand Mesa it was 37 degrees. Lands End has an old ranger station, the elevation is 10,500 ft and will provide you with a view you will never forget. Take lots of pictures to share!

We started our drive up Grand Mesa National and Scenic Byway from I-70 through Mesa and zigzagged our way up the mesa toward the visitor center. This was a beautiful drive in late September on the world's largest flattop mountain. It was a clear day so we were able to see a great distance at the many pullouts plus we saw many gorgeous fall aspen leaves along the way. Powderhorn Ski Resort is along this byway. There are 300 lakes up on the mesa which is hard to believe!
The Grand Mesa Visitors Center was a great stop with a nice gift shop, clean restrooms and a peaceful lake nearby. The rest of the drive was not as pretty as the first part.

We took an early drive up The Grand Mesa, the world largest flat top mountain. Because of this, Grand Junction has become somewhat of a destination for the biking enthusiast with people traveling as far away as california to enjoy their famed 18 road biking trail.

We ate at the “Mesa Lakes Lodge”, a place with a simplistic menu and a gorgeous view of the Mesa Lakes. Though the menu is nothing to write home about, the price per plate never breaches over the $20 mark. Which is pretty awesome considering the beautiful lakeside views we enjoyed while fueling up on their Classic Eggs and Hashbrowns. The breakfast selection is limited to this one menu item so I asked for a side of their cajun sauce to pair with my eggs and I wasn't disappointed.

This is a great place to vacation. You can camp, fish, hike, or ski. Beautiful scenery. A great place to take a family and enjoy an outing. The Mesa is a short drive from Grand Junction.

Decided to drive this one morning while staying overnight in Fruita. Gorgeous views and the road wasn't busy at all. Didn't drive to the Lands End Overlook because the road is gravel and it's 12 miles one way. Ski Resort wasnt open and I arrived at Visitor Center after 10, but it wasn't open either. Restrooms were available. Worth the drive if you have 3 hours.

We were in a bit of a rush, but just had to go this route to head back to the front range after our Palisade getaway. I would have preferred to get out and hike but . . . so much to do, I guess! I'd highly recommend at least driving this; such a different and beautiful view.

We went in the late fall, early winter. So much peace and quiet. We saw eagles and enjoyed the fishing. I've lived in Colorado all my life and Grand Mesa is a very different environment with so many ponds and lakes and forests to explore.

Went up by Lands End, (Need 4 wheel drive preferred. Gravel and sometimes single lane on two way road. No guard rails) Came down Hwy 65, beautiful views both ways.

If you want to see wild Mustangs this is a good place to do so. If you drive or hike back into the Mesa you will see lots of wild mustangs. Just remember not to feed or disturb them....

Getting through the Grand Mesa is really just a short 55 mile loop through the national forest. However, stopping to take pictures, walk around the points of interest, and taking in all of the sights resulted in several hours of fun. From the chairlift ride at Powderhorn ski area, to the valley views at Lands End Observatory, to the visitors center and all the lakes and rivers in between, it all made for a great, picturesque and memorable excursion.

As is .the case with almost everything on the West Slope of the Rocky Mountain the scenes from the Grand Mesa are breathtaking. What else can one say? Take time to go up on the Mesa, you would be disappointed.

My wife and I went tent camping at Island Lake Campground in Grand Mesa National Forest in July 2018 and loved it. The campground was nice, the views were beautiful, and the trails were great for hiking/biking.

There is no electricity at the campground and no running water. The only running water is near the toilets. However, this was not a problem for us!

The only negative thing from this trip was the mosquitos. They were the worst we have ever seen in our entire lives so be sure to pack lots of heavy duty bug spray!

The overall experience was amazing and we are looking forward to going back in August 2019. We are just prepared to come with extra bug spray and tiki torches to hopefully ward off the mosquitos.

I would highly recommend bringing your bikes and kayaks if you have them. We just purchased an inflatable kayak to bring with us this year. So excited to go back to Grand Mesa soon!

Mesa(Spanish name for table) has many accessible lakes and several to hike in. The views are amazing. You drive through Pine and Aspen trees and pull off to look out the valley below. There are many places to camp or rent cabins. Cross country and snowshoe paths are groomed nicely. Ski resort is very popular. There are condos to rent near the ski resort. Much cooler in the summer compared to towns in the valley. Wonderful half or whole day trips; campers and fishermen stay for weeks.

Really you'll forget that you are in CO while traveling the Mesa. There is something for everyone, its beautiful!

This is one of the best seasons to head up the hill onto the Grand Mesa! Lots of wildflowers, hiking, some waterfalls, and ALL those lakes. The drive over the Grand Mesa is one of the most scenic drives around - We also love Grand Mesa in the fall for the fall colors and winter for skiing - you can't go wrong whenever you decide to go. Pack a picnic, do some camping, maybe some fishing - whatever you like, just bring sunscreen and bug spray in the summer. We like to go up Land's End road to the log cabin up there too - a very switch backy road but so scenic and if you go to the left at the top passed a road grate and park you can walk on a rough road to a beautiful waterfall (you will actually be on top of the waterfall) There are always chipmunks at the viewpoint where the log cabin is.

We moved to Grand Junction about 2 years ago and love cross-country skiing at Skyway on the Grand Mesa. We absolutely love it and have met new friends. Cross country skiing at 10,600 ft. A little slice of heaven!

The Grand Mesa has some of the best trout fishing around. Over a hundred lakes stocked, and many more natural. Great for an easy day of fishing with the family, or if you like, a beautiful hike and overnight to remote lakes with trophy fish. Not to mention the hundreds of streams and creeks loaded with brook trout.

My family decided to take the very long way to get from Steamboat Springs to Grand Junction over the Labor Day weekend. One of the scenic drives we decided to explore was the Grand Mesa scenic by-way. The drive was easy and pleasant, with virtually no traffic to speak of and the road itself was in pretty good shape. Although it wasn't one of the more spectacular drives we have taken in our home state, we are happy that we, finally, gave this road a try.

The mesa is a great place to visit. It is very scenic and has a ton of outdoor activities. Quite enjoyable all times of the year. During the summer you can take the lands end switchbacks up to the top and see some amazing views.

During the winter there are a ton of snow sports available. Cross country skiing, down hill skiing, snow shoeing, snowmobiling, etc.

The Grand Mesa is a beautiful, peaceful place to go for hikes ,cross country skiing, fishing and to get something to eat at one of the restaurants.The Mesa Lodge Resort/Restaurant is rustic and is next to a lake. Lands End is a particular favorite place of ours to visit. We feed the squirrels while we are up there. In the fall, the turning of the leaves are amazing!

It is a very long drive but well worth every minute. Stopped at the visitors center, saw some very interesting things and then continued up to have a picnic lunch next to one of the many lakes, Just beautiful!!

If you love the outdoors, you must make a trip to the Grand Mesa. Awesome skiing at Powderhorn, spectacular views during the fall with all the color changes. So many wonderful lakes for fishing and camping. If you like to rough it, get a camp site, or find the many options for cabins all over the Grand Mesa. Its a short drive from Grand Junction and a trip you will not forget. Enjoy beautiful Colorado.

This park is far less traveled than some of the other nearby national parks in UT, so it's a great chance to experience nature in solitude.

Highly recommend the Crag Crest Trail.

If you are the outdoor adventure seeking type of humanoid, you will enjoy a walk on the wild side. There are plenty of lakes for your fishing pleasure, cabins to satisfy the comfit, and hikes to rate right up there in the most beautiful place in Colorado. During the summer, make sure to bring plenty of BUG spray, in the winter. . . dress very warm as it is very cold! If you fancy yourself a bicycle enthusiast, you will want to brave the ride from GJ over the top to Cedaredge (I think close to 100 miles). There is both types of skiing, sledding, and what I love most. . . snow shoeing! It is a grand outing for all and fits many different types of sportsmen/women!

It does not matter what time of year you visit the area Grand Mesa is a must. Great fishing and views, hiking, snow skiing, cross country skiing, Fall foliage. Remember if you hike to take plenty of water with you, first add kit and rain gear in Spring and Summer, bug spray and layers for temperature changes. Never think when hiking Oh I don't need my coat, or water, etc. Because you may get distracted, loose your direction, have an accident. Be prepared! Be Safe and cell phones do not always work everywhere on the Mesa.

Hiking on the mesa , fishing at the great lakes, snow shoeing and cross country skiing at Mesa Lake - so many things to do outdoors!

I rode my motorcycle to a professional summer conference in Grand Junction and rode back to the front range over Grand Mesa. The Grand Mesa part of the ride was fun, both twisty and steep climbing out of the valley and coming down into the town of Cedaredge. The views were spectacular.

I drove through the Grand Mesa on my way from Montrose to Grand Junction. It was fall and it had snowed so everything looked great! Pity I didn't have time for a hike here.

Do not drive thru Grand Junction, CO without taking the time to drive thru the Grand Mesa. It is a beautiful drive . . . if you like the outdoors, you'll like the Grand Mesa!

What a beautiful drive. Pine and aspen forest with so many beautiful lakes and streams. Plenty of hiking and camping, along with being a fishing paradise. Lands End has breathtaking views of the Grand Valley all the way to Utah! Bring your mosquito repellant in the summer.

Although the winter months on the Grand Mesa are beautiful there really are things to do all year round. We like to visit the lodge to warm up in the winter and get cool drinks in the summer.

Rented motorcycles and went from Grand Junction to Gateway, then Telluride, to Cortez, to Four Corner Monument, to Durango. Second day Durango, Silverton, to Ouray, to Montrose. Third day to Black Canyon, through Grand Mesa valley back to Grand Junction. Beautiful scenery!!

A very beautiful and scenic Grand Mesa. Great fishing at Vega Dam, very peaceful early mornings, wildlife abounds, gentle breezes that gets chilly from time to time, a waif of campfire smoke filtering through the pines and quakies, and the beautiful and panoramic view of the mountains surrounding Vega Dam showing us that this what God created for us to be in awe....

So beautiful! Unbelievable views. Pictures don’t do justice to the sights. Unbelievable that people used to live in the mesas!

The drive across the Grand Mesa was spectacular. The views of the fall aspen leaves were absolutely beautiful in late September as we drove across the world's largest flattop mountain. Most of the drive was paved except for the side trip to the Land's End Observatory. Recommend as a day trip or a scenic drive through from Grand Junction to Cedaredge.

About an hour+ outside the Grand Junction, Grand Mesa is lovely, especially in the summer when it is 20 degrees cooler than GJ. The drive is lovely, and the hiking is fabulous.

We drove south from I-70 through Mesa to the Visitor Center, and then back. Brand new, very good road surface. Too long for us today to go to Cedaredge and back to Grand Junction. Allow extra time for lots of scenic spots, trails, lakes, boating, fishing, etc. Visitor Center has plenty of National Forest information plus selection of books, games, puzzles for children; t-shirts all sizes; clean restrooms.

I grew up in GJ, but haven't lived there for over 40 years. We go back at least once a year to visit family. No visit is complete without a trip up the mountain! GJ can get quite warm in the summer, so the cooler mountain temps are worth the short 45 min. Drive. We go up the north side, through Debeque canyon. There are several lookout points along the way. Unfortunately, this time, a forest fire in Utah clouded our view of the valley below. We stopped in at Powderhorn Ski Resort for a look around and bathroom break. There is also a lovely mountain home I am keeping my eye on. Would love to own a home on the mountain! We continued up to Mesa Lakes Lodge and found "our tree". Don't know if it is against the law to carve your initials in an Aspen tree, but, we, like so many other people, have! Took a quick hike around the two lakes there, and tried our luck fishing for a bit. ContinuIng on up the mountain, we stopped at Island lake Campground for a picnic lunch. It is very well maintained (even the outhouses smelled fresh!). If you camp or picnic, Just remember to clean up after yourself for the next person. Usually, there are a few chipmunks begging for a handout. But we did not see any this visit. Afterwards, we returned to Mesa Lake Lodge and rented one of their row boats for an hour. The Grands enjoyed that. Our son decided to try fishing again, and this time, the fish were biting! He caught 5 nice mountain trout. Meanwhile, the Grands entertained us at the Lodge. There are lots of chairs to sit in on the porch and enjoy the lake view. There is also a small platform on the lawn, which, the manager informed us is used for weddings. They are booked solid every weekend through September! The Grands stuck their feet in the cold mountain stream for just a moment, before we headed back down to GJ. All in all, a very nice day spent on the mountain!

This is a very pretty area for a motorcycle ride. It has lots of lakes and beautiful scenery. We took lots of pictures.

This is a beautiful drive on a good road. It can be done from Grand Junction in a day easily, and there are plenty of places to stop and eat a picnic lunch.

A beautiful area with a lot of lakes, along route 65 in Colorado. There is also a Visitor Center, providing information about the area.
The area is very peaceful, and there were not too many people around.

Winter snow (deep) in western Colorado - Grand Mesa is famous for snow sports - snow showing, skiing, cross country skiing, snow machines, ice fishing

Nice Drive to take and hike down to some of the mountain lakes. Cool restaurant to have a good lunch. Do a little fly fishing or just some photography.

Colorado beauty at it's finest. Being the world's largest flat top mountain, it does not disappoint. Panoramic views of the valley floor, on both the south, west and north faces are second to none. View moose, bear, elk, dear, fox, coyote, feed the squirrels, fish, hike, bike, ski, snowmobile, or just chill and drink a beer. This place is paradise.

Our oldest kids came to visit us and we had never been to the Grand Mesa before. We had a great time hiking. Just make sure you bring mosquitoe spray. They can be very thick.

Grand Mesa is a beautiful place to visit all year around. If you love snow, Grand Mesa gets plenty in the Winter. The Ranger Station has great exhibits, souvenirs, and maps! Great photo opportunities too! We took a day trip and fished for a few hours. Love the views!

Today my adult son and I went fishing. We tried Alexander Lake and Reed Reservoir. Then we went to Mesa Lakes and still no bites. We had lunch and called it a great day!

Travel back in time on the mesa! Such a beautiful gem inside of our beautifu state. Highly reccomend exploring on top of the world here, just remember PLEASE pack out what you brought in!

Nice drive...so so fishing as long as the fish bite..this summer was too hot and the fish were being lazy.

Beautiful views, hiking, biking, fishing, paddle boarding, skiing, snowboarding, snow sledding, camping, hunting, boating and pretty much anything else you can think of to do outside! The Grand Mesa is a beautiful wonderland. I can't get enough of this magical mountain. You definitely need to check out the view from the top of lands end road. I feels like you are on top of the world the most amazing view in Colorado. Give yourself at least an entire day to check this place out but if you have time I highly recommend staying awhile and camping. The chipmunks are adorable and very welcoming. The fall colors are breathtaking.

only one word could describe Grand Mesa, BEAUTIFUL! 300 lakes, fishings great, quiet lakes , surrounded with trees, a great get away for everyone, take a picnic, take a hike, and don't forget to stop at the visitor center, pick up something in the gift shop for your memories.

The drive to top of the Grand Mesa is a treat. The views are spectacular and the experience, memorable. We are going back in September as I want to photograph the Aspen trees in fall. We saw so many interesting things and made a few stops to take a closer look. You will need more than a day if stop and try to take a closer look at every interesting thing you see along the way and there are so many of them!!

You start at around 5,000 feet or so at the base, we saw as sign indicating that we were at 10,800 feet when we were at the top of the Mesa. This is one magical place. We will be back for more.

If you're beginning in Grand Junction, do not take the Route 65-50 loop all the way around. Once U.S. Forest Service land ends on Route 65, turn around and enjoy the views traveling northbound back to Grand Junction.

This is a great U.S. Forest Service Area with beautiful views. You have easy access to flat trails and nice lakes. Bring your mosquito spray though!!!

The fall colors were breath taking. There were plenty places to pull over to take pictures. The road is paved, but curves for most of the drive from Cedaridge and back to I 70

This is a must see if you are in the grand junction area. The view is awesome and the mesa is truly grand

Grand Mesa has views of the Book Cliffs and the Valley below. There are places to hike, fish, rent snowmobiles, have lunch and hike. Not overly developed. Many of the hikes have views of the small lakes.

A great way to visit is to drive in from the north, and the exit from the south, going through Cedar Ridge.

On your drive back to Grand Junction you will have a great view of the Grand Mesa to your east.

Be prepared for somewhat colder weather, probably 15 to 20 degrees colder than Grand Junction.

We drove up the Grand Mesa and stopped along the way to enjoy wonderful views. It was a beautiful sunny November day and you could see for miles and miles. It's definitely worth spending the time to enjoy.

Alpine lakes surrounded by wildflowers--it was like something from a fairy tale on top of the Mesa! We stopped at the Grand Mesa Lodge and rented a boat to row around Island Lake. Fishing rods and bait are available as well. We had a lovely afternoon out on the water, and the folks at the lodge were friendly and fun to talk to! Next time we're in Grand Junction, we will probably rent one of the lodge cabins for some quality family time.

Have been wanting to drive up onto the mesa for quite awhile and finally did so. Popped the top off of the Jeep and enjoyed @ 20 degree cooler than the upper 90's down below.

Hiking, biking or just driving through, don't miss this relatively unknown gem. You will not be disappointed with the scenery and views!

We spent an afternoon driving through the Grand Mesa. Well worth the time. Beautiful scenery. Great hiking trails. Would definitely go again.

This is a breathtaking drive, wonderful place to camp, snowshoe, back country ski. The fishing is great in the many lakes. Wildlife abounds and if you are very lucky you may even see a moose! Just remember there is a reason they are referred to as wildlife --they aren't pets!

Had wanted to visit the Grand Mesa for several years..and finally got around to it and was delighted. It's a beautiful place, with great hiking around the lakes. Definetly visit.

We always take an RV up and it's great! Mosquitos are bad in the summer, but August is better. Beautiful photography opportunities, great fishing and hiking too. Great way to unplug and be together!

Grand Mesa is beautiful especially in the Fall when the aspens are changing color! A great place to go fishing, hiking, snowshoeing/skiing, ATV and Snowmobile trails are awesome!!

We took this drive as we had not visited Grand mesa before, the drive was a long one, ok if you want to fish maybe, as many small lakes all around, or to hike, but the drive itself is pretty shakey and they are closing the main road there for road work all August 2017 for repairs

beautiful vistas , great drive , and history rich !! road was exciting and walking down to the dwellings made for great exercise and wonderful photo opportunities!!

What a spectacular drive anytime of the year. Summer time you can enjoy fishing - over 300 lakes to choose from or many hiking trails. Fall is colorful with the Aspen Trees treating you to yellow, orange and gold leaves. Winter time is covered with Colorado's sparkling snow- the local ski area - Powderhorn - has black diamond and beginner slopes. Springtime is has the wildflowers showing their unique colors and the streams flowing with snow melt.

Absolutely stunning views from atop the worlds "largest flat top mountain" So much to see and lots of areas to hike and cross country ski and camp.

Awesome drive for fall colors. Everyone should make this scenic loop. Great setting for photographers.

The trip over Grand Mesa was a wonderful respite from the heat of the valley below. We loved the opportunity to do the nature walk by the visitors center and also walk around the lake. The scenery is gorgeous.

A breath taking experience. Words , visions or pictures cannot capture the shocking beauty of Grand Mesa.

Spent 3 nights this last week camping on the “Mesa”. I hate to give a rave review cause i want it all to myself. Did you know there is over 300 lakes? Black bears... haven’t bothered a human in many eons. The wildflower show was spectacular. You can bet I’ll be back up exploring this whole summer. Fishing, hunting, backpacking. Wow!

Beautiful pristine lakes, nice climate at the higher altitude with a lot of great trails that don't have as much elevation change as some other mountain trails more to the south. Make sure to bring mosquito spray because they are heavy up here in the summer.

We visited the Grand Mesa during June. The temperature in Grand Junction was around 90 degrees when we made out way to the top - where it was a welcome 54 degrees!

The smell of the pines, the green fields of the mesa, and the fabulous and plentiful lakes were a joy to discover and hike. Remarkably, the mesa was not crowded, giving us plenty of time to relax and enjoy the beauty. This site might be often overlooked by visitors to the Grand Junction area (a little bit out of town) and is probably overshadowed by the nearby Colorado National Monument. Both natural attractions should be visited - they both are so very different in the beauty that they behold.

Visited the Grand Mesa for a fall leaf peeping experience. Now is the time to go. Loved combination of red rock cliffs, golden trees, lakes and evergreens . Camera photos and videos just pop on the screen with the combination of fall colors. Stopped at overlooks where golden tree canopies were more in abundance. Water levels in lakes were seasonally low so perhaps not optimal if you are going just for that. Overall, a must see attraction if staying in Grand Junction or vicinity.

Great views of natural environment. Gift shop staff polite and pleasant. Bought some items at gift shop.

We drove Grand Mesa scenic byway in our RV on June 8, 2019. At the summit, we were surrounding by deep snow, only the road was clean. The drive was fabulous and so was the scenery on the way up and at the top of te mountain. We enjoyed it a lot.

The Grans Mesa is very beautiful. They have skiing in the winter, and hiking, fishing and lots of outdoor activities in the summer - a very scenic drive.

It is very interesting to see how inventive the dwellings were used. It was a bucket list visit that I am glad we saw.

Great drive in ant season. Winter will test your skill & nerve. An all day trip in any season. Many great photo ops

Beautiful time of year to see the colors begin to change. Lands end is a long time favorite place to go.

We packed our lunch and headed out early so we could enjoy a fun-filled day exploring the Grand Mesa. Unfortunately, the roads leading to the GM were terrible. The visitor center was nice, the lakes around the visitor center were pretty. Hopefully the roads are in better shape now!

We visited in April of 2017 and had a wonderful time. June was completely different with all the snow being replaced by green. However at the top it was still cold and icy. Still a great day out for the family, and we would like to visit in every season to see the different colors.

The mesa is great to visit any time of the year...during winter you can ski..snow mobile...inter tube whatever which is my favorite. There is also plenty of hiking roaming and fishing available during warmer times. I would ask a ranger if it is open and passable during snowy season

Lots of fish stocked in the lakes. Beautiful atmosphere and plenty of room for safe distancing. A great choice for getting out of town without risk.

Beautiful area and scenic. There is still a lot of snow in the area after a long winter in June. Still managed to drive around the area with the Jeep top off in 40 degrees living every minute of it.

I rented a snow bike from Grand Valley Adventure in Grand Junction in February and rode it on the mesa. What a beautiful forest. i was blown away by the views over and over again. Had the pleasure of driving back down the mountain on my way to town and saw an incredible sunset.

Gorgeous views and so relaxing I love to go on the mesa. Espically during color sunday when all the leaves are changing colors!

Basically you just drive. Does cost to get in but well worth the time and money. Some pull outs. Bring your camera.
Plan on 2-3 hours. Check out some wineries in the area.

The Grand Mesa is unlike any place else, literally. You'll never visit a larger flattop mountain. Hiking trails, camping, and lake access areas are very well marked and easy to access. We chose some easy hikes to the top to view small lakes for miles around. There are more difficult trails and with more than 300 water areas you'll find a lake every corner. The visitor center offers the typical park info and souvenirs; there was no water for cleaning or drinking while we were there and that almost led to a downgrade, but the beauty of the forest trumps everything.

Although I had lived in Colorado for ten years, I hadn't visited the Grand Junction area for recreation...always "passing through". But, on the advice of a friend, who grew up in GJ, my wife and I spent a few days there...exploring and noshing! Grand Mesa (a REALLY BIG mesa, for sure, had it all - trees, plateaus, meadows, drop-offs, views, animals, and, in Spring and Summer, lots of flowers. We had a wonderful, restful visit of discovery there and will return in future years.

Fantastic drive and lots of great locations for taking pictures! Beautiful lakes that can be seen from this designated scenic byway. Would love to see all the aspens in the fall!

Beautiful scenery, wildlife and friendly folks all around. Lots of fishing spots, ski resort, picnicking and just a beautiful and easy drive.

We loved the views on the drive on the Grand Mesa. We went skiing there and it was wonderful. The snow was fantastic and the staff were very friendly and helpful. You can see for miles!

I was in Grand Junction for work for a month. On one of my days off I took a day to drive up to Grand Mesa. Its a beatiful drive up plenty of places to stop for photos and plenty of tree and lakes to fish in. You can choose to drive to the observation deck at the top and see the whole valley below

My mate has a place in Cedaredge and we did the drive heading back to Denver. Lots of snow, snow mobiles & cross country skiers & walkers ! The Park Centre is closed out of season but the restrooms are open & heated ! A really good drive, watching out in the conditions and lakes scattered about but not a winter stop ! Would be really good in the spring or autumn as well.

Being a local, I travel to Grand Mesa several times per year. Excellent views to oversee the valley on the drive up. Fall colors are spectacular. Summer is great for camping, four wheeling, fishing. And skiing in the winter at Powderhorn. Or just a great day drive over the top to Cedaredge.

The Grand Mesa is breath taking in autumn. Colors are spectacular. If you like any outdoor activity in any season, you'll find it here. Biking, skiing,fishing, hunting. It's all available. There are over 300 bodies of water, so be prepared for mosquitoes. They can be brutal. The easy access and close proximity to Grand Junction are wonderful. In an hour or so, you can be away from town and in a beautiful forest. Well worth the trip. Around 10,000 feet in elevation, so flatlanders, be prepared!

Beautiful scenic drive over the Mesa always and a lush surprise after leaving the high desert of Grand Junction.

We are lucky to live so close to something so beautiful. Seemingly endless miles of hiking, biking, cross country skiing and scenic highway to explore. Or maybe just check one of the hundreds of lakes on the mesa. Stop by the Mesa Lakes Lodge for a bowl of amazing green chile or take a boat out and catch your dinner and take it back to camp. This is one of the greatest outdoor recreation areas available and it would be a shame to pass it up if in the area.

There are things for everyone. Camp grounds or tent camp. Fishing, eating, hiking, four wheeling and more.

Some of the prettiest views in the world. Beautiful lakes and cool shaded areas for summertime trips. Very good skiing in the winter, including some great cross-country skiing. Fall has some great color change to view from several stops along the hiway that goes across the Mesa.

I usually drive up from the Cedaredge side and camp in the Trickle Park Area. Plenty of ATV, horse and hiking trails to take you far off the beaten path.This is the spot for trout fishing! There are several improved campgrounds with vault toilets or find a shady spot to pitch a tent or park your camper. The temperatures are much cooler than the lower altitudes and except for winter the seasons are short. The fall colors are vibrant in late September and well worth a trip over the Mesa to check it out. In winter time the massive snow accumulation makes for great cross country skiing, snowmobiling and Powderhorn ski resort is near the town of Mesa. Trail maps are available for the Grand Mesa and well worth the money. Do not forget the bug spray as the mosquitoes can be quite pesky at certain times of the year. The Grand Mesa is my favorite place to be in the summer!

We have been to Grand Meas several times and always enjoy the drive. Stopped at the ranger station and had a nice chat with the staff.

This is a great place to visit pretty much any time of year, but Fall is my favorite! Do the color loop and enjoy wonderful colors, spectacular views, hiking, crisp temperatures, maybe even wildlife! I highly recommend Grand Mesa!

We did a quick trip to the Grand Mesa years ago and vowed to come back and spend more time. This trip, we planned to amble our way across the Mesa. Well, we did, kind of.

The road is wonderful beginning with the Plateau Creek Canyon. The road winds here through some amazing sandstone cliffs. Then it's up and up and . . . The road climbs to the edge of the Mesa sometimes with really long and steep drop offs. The day was cloudy and snowy, so we didn't get many views. At the top, it was snow packed. Had hoped to go to Lookout Point. Nope. Gate closed and the road impassible. Planned on visiting the Visitor Center. Nope again. Didn't open until Memorial Day.

Sooooo, was it worth it? Yep. Even in the winter when you can't even see the valley below it's a beautiful drive and a neat experience. But go in mid-June or later when the snow has melted.

Beautiful scenic drive with multiple lakes to stop and meander around. Beat the heat and take the drive

Possible to go up quite a bit in elevation and get away from it all. Enjoyed some fly fishing and nice views.

The lush green of the Mesa is a wonderful contrast to the surrounding dry valley. Make for a great afternoon drive on a hot day. Worth a visit.

This is a great place to go to get away from the city life. It's awesome for your whole family and it's beautiful! There are some pretty good trails for four wheeling, awesome campsites, and great hiking. However, make sure you stock up on the bug spray before you head up there!

We only had one full day here and so hiked Crags Crest Trail which was marvelous! Really wish we had spent more time in the area.

After having had the opportunity to spend a night at the Land's End Observatory many years ago, when I was a college student working for the Forest Service, I, alas, never returned. And I never took the (shall we say) primitive road up from the town of Whitewater, just outside Grand Junction, Colorado.

Until last week. The weather threatened downpours in the afternoon, but in the morning it was glorious. So, I gave it a try.

The road is only approximately two lanes (unpaved), but I only met one fellow in a pickup truck coming the other way. We were able to scootch by each other without problems. A group of young people were also parked at the side in one place--removing bicycles from their SUV!

The climb is spectacularly beautiful, in terms not only the view (when you had the nerve to take your eyes off the road and look to the side), but also in terms of the variety of trees (both pine and aspen) and the wildflowers.

And the view at the top is incredible. Understand that the Grand Mesa is the largest Plateau (at least in North America), and at nearly 11,000 feet in altitude, it is over one mile directly above the Grand Valley (aproximately 4,000 feet elevation) below. A prominent feature in the Grand Valley is a corner on the Palisades called "Mt. Garfield". From up there you can barely see it.

Once you emerge from the Land's End road, you can leave the observatory to travel over a reasonably flat land. It's not quite above the tree line, so there are clusters of pine trees and aspens distributed in great, green, fields. To get to the main road across the Mesa is about 10 miles, but at least it's a straight line (more or less).

The Mesa has sub-alpine down to pinyon/pine climates, so the view is ever changing and the wild flower season is spectacular. Summer and a bit of fall all vehicles can manage the the Mesa. The rest of the time, 4 wheel drive is the only sure way across and there are road closures when the snow is too deep. Be prepared, the altitude tops out at 11,000+ feet and summer storms can be fierce.

Mountain biking is more swishing through the petals than working the terrain. although there are some seriously difficult trails available. The hiking and fishing are quiet, no one about, type activities. You can go the day without seeing anyone after leaving your vehicle. If you use a mountain bike, you can cover more terrain between lakes and not be dependent upon the road system, which tends to be a bit basic. The lakes are a bit cold, but some hardy souls like to freeze themselves and go swimming after mid summer. In winter, there is skiing at Powderhorn or better yet take the cross country trails. They are well groomed or if you are skilled, take off across the snow on your own trail. For the game viewers, there are mule deer, elk, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, moose, black bear, mountain lion, turkey, blue grouse, sage grouse, rock and morning dove, and various waterfowl species.

Camp sites are available.

Because the Mesa is so big and some areas are very remote, be sure to tell someone where you are going, when your are leaving and when you expect to return. Make sure that contact understands they must make an emergency call if you don't show up on time. Some people have disappeared for years before hunters or someone's dog finds the remains.

The atmosphere is thinner here and people tend to burn easier, wear appropriate sun protection and bring water or a water filter.

We spent a couple of days on the Mesa, enjoying the spectacular scenery, while camping, fishing and riding our side by side.
It’s a treat to go up and have cooler temperatures than in the city.
There are plenty of campsites and wonderful trails and lakes to enjoy!

We have been to the Grand Mesa many times, but this trip was to cut down our own Christmas Tree. We hiked in about a mile and then snowshoed the rest of the way to find our perfect tree. There are many species of trees to choose from, just grab a permit and follow the map. A great new tradition for our family and we love our fresh cut, handpicked tree.

The Grand Mesa is a fascinating land formation, as distinctive as Colorado National Monument, but in a quiet way. This 10,500-foot elevation mesa is beautiful, with wonderful forests and unexpected lakes. There are some very nice vistas. The mesa is sparsely populated and there are relatively few services. There is an easy to miss rest station toward the north, and restrooms are available at the Visitor Center. VERY disappointing that the National Park Service never opened the visitor center for all of the 2024 season. They do maintain the restrooms, though.

We can't say enough about how beautiful the area is during fall foliage season. You will not be disappointed. RECOMMENDATIONS: I would visit the last week or 3rd week in September for the best fall foliage at all elevations. Also, It seems like the last week in September is the end of the season for many visitor centers and outfitters. We visited the first week in October and many places were already closed. Many Aspen were already done at the highest elevations. We were surprised at the low lake levels at most of the lakes due to the drought.

The Grand Mesa is like no other place. It reaches a height of almost 11,000 feet and can be driven across on any number of roads depending upon what you want to see. Hwy 65 is the primary and it goes from I-70 on the North to Cedaredge on the South. In between are miles of trails, ATV runs, lakes, streams, camping places and more Aspen trees than you can believe. You can hike, fish, camp, stay in cabins and just thoroughly enjoy nature, her critters and beauty. Unless you are a die hard deep snow fan (if the road is open) I would suggest visiting May-September. You can also ski at Powderhorn on the I-70 side during the winter. We dry camp there almost every year with the whole family and our RVs. It's a great way to relax and have family time as well!

We drove from Paradise over the Mesa to the valley below. All along the way the environment and temperature changed around every corner and the views were some of the best I've every experienced...and I'm a Arizona and southern Utah traveler. The valley was warm but we hit snow near top with trees starting green at the bottom, changing and full drop at the top. At the very top are 7 crystal clear lakes. We didn't fish but there were people fishing at each one...and it was a little cold. Worth the drive!

Trails for every ability. We saw dear and cows that just seemed to accept we were on their turf. Visitors center is nice and people were helpful. The views are incredible!

We took a family trip up to Grand Mesa, Colorado. It was a beautiful day, we all had a great time, took some beautiful photos, and came home with souvenirs! Short visit this time. Looking forward to coming back in the Fall!

Peaceful, easy drive to Grand Mesa from Grand Junction on 10-12-16. I had 3/4s of a day and this turned out to be time well spent. The drive through the winding canyons, with streams and the fall colors were great. It was so quiet and of course the Colorado skies are so blue!

The Grand Mesa has something for everyone, no matter the time of year. From great skiing and snowmobiling, to hiking, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, or just going for a drive to see the beautiful scenery, the Grand Mesa does not disappoint. Ice fishing in the winter, or fishing one of over 200 lakes in the summer, it is a fisherman’s paradise!

My parents have lived on the Mesa for many years. It's one of my favorite places 2go with over 300 Lakes lots of hiking and incredible views I've been there in all the seasons never have I had a disappointing visit

My husband and I have done the Grand Mesa drive many times. It’s beautiful every season up there. There’s a lot of great hikes, lakes, wildlife and scenic views to check out. Perfect day trip or Sunday drive!

Excellent ride over the mesa, the roads are well maintained and wide enough to be able to relax and take in the scenery, you still need to look out for cattle deer and elk though, had a couple of adrenalin rushes on the bike through the wildlife, the views and scenery were well worth the detour to grand junction.

I camped and fished in this area with just my dogs. Packing everything in and sleeping in a backpacking tent. The area is beautiful and the lake fishing opportunities for trout are many. The area is popular but big enough that it's possible to find a more secluded spot. There's also plenty of access for the RV crowd.

Coming in form the east side is a sometimes arduous and rough ride on very primitive Forrest Service roads but the rural sights and scenery are worth it if you have a high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle. Enter from the west side and it's paved well into the area and there's even cabins that can be rented.

The western slope of Colorado is more of a dry, high altitude desert and canyon environment ... except the Grand Mesa, which is a high altitude, heavily forested area with many, many small lakes. If it's too hot in the summer, head to the Grand Mesa and enjoy the cool mountain air.

This mountain (or Mesa) is not as well know as some destinations in CO, but it's well worth the trip. Very scenic for a drive, a hike, fishing, skiing, and mountain biking to name a few things.

I didn't believe it, but talking to the locals it turns out to be true! Fishing, swimming and more with tons of options. It wasn't my plan to go there for all of that, but it was fun and I loved the spectacular views.

We enjoyed this breathtaking drive over the Grand Mesa. We even saw a moose! It was great this time of year to avoid many of the crowds of summer.

I look out from my house daily and can assess the weather, the amount of snow-fall in the mountains, upcoming meteorological weirdnesses, and often don't assess anything except to marvel in this brooding behemoth beginning 15 miles east and rising to 5,000' higher. A presence, an island of temperate forested-ness rising from the sun-baked oven of the Grand Valley desert, it could be a small foreign country. Which, in a sense, it is. The (relatively speaking) flat top is like Siberia -- in the winter -- and I'd presume Siberia is not so hostile in the summer, but there can be MOSQUITOES ! and though we rarely have seen 'em, lions & tigers & bears & sasquatch, oh my. Well, maybe not so many tigers. Dozens, possibly 100+ lakes -- many natural, glacial memories inherent therein.

I, for one, am prejudiced and would like to ban all motorized traffic (off of and away from the 'regular' roads, of course) -- as I'd think most wilderness-appreciative people are here (there) for the serenity, the tranquility -- and NOT motor-noise. Especially in the winter. S(lob)-snow-mobilers, indeed. If one is unable to get out and walk or mountain-bike or snowshoe or ski -- you can still sit in your car, roll down the windows, take it all in as best you can.

With temperatures in the mid- to upper-90s on the Grand Valley Floor, it was time to seek some relief from the heat up on the (Grand) Mesa.

My wife, my granddaughter and myself met up with our youngest son, his fiancee, and one of her daughters at the visitors center, elevation 10,300' above sea level. Listed temps for the day were in the low-70s, and apparently many from the local Grand Junction/Fruita/Palisade "Metroplex," as well as travelers from afar, had the same idea.

The Grand Mesa in general, and Cobbett Lake, where we spent the day, is a wonderful respite from the heat of the valley floor, even if temporarily. The most difficult part is leaving, feeling the temperatures increase minute by minute as you go lower in elevation.

In a few weeks, "Color Sunday" (09/29) will be upon us. Cooler temps, "a surfeit of color" as my mom would describe it. If you can make it, please come and enjoy yourselves.

While officially open year-round, parts of the Mesa may be closed to Winter road maintenance for the season, or plowing in hours of darkness. Dress in accordance with the weather. Bring sunscreen, bug repellent, water and snacks.

Spring there are lots of mountain flowers in bloom and it’s a pretty drive. In the summer there is an abundance of fishing and camping available as it is covered with lakes, and a couples resorts with cabins to rent. There are also mountain biking trails at the powderhorn ski resort and some places to rents as well. In the fall the colors are georgeous and the views unbelievable.Then there are all types of winter sports from ice fishing ,snow shoeing,cross country skiing and our own ski resort with a variety of trails with views you will never expect Powderhorn Resort and as I said before there is some lodging available! This would be a great place to visit for all types of groups .

Drove through the Grand Mesa national forest on our way to Montrose. The drive was beautiful. The leaves were starting to change color. Lots of pullovers to take pictures. Lots of lakes. Lots of fishing, and camping. Something for everyone. Everyone should drive this at least once.

We went up on the North side and stopped at the Powderhorn ski area and Mesa Lakes. Stoped and walked to a stream just a short distance from Powderhorn. The aspen were very thick and beautiful. The strem was fast flowing and very pretty. At Mesa Lakes we saw 14 species of birds plus a red fox. This was our first sighting of a Gray Jay. Also, saw lots of Stellar Jays and Mountain chickadees.

Beeeeeutiiiifullll! A must see for everyone! If you don't put this on your itinerary shame on you. You can't feel this gorgeous Colorado scene from a photo.
Must do for sure.

Great place to go to cool off in the summer. Dozens of high altitude lakes to visit or just look at, and a cool waterfall off land's end road

Absolutely a beautiful place to spend the day camping and hiking and taking in the views of the mountains and the lakes. Good place to cross country ski in the winter, or snowmobile. You can visit the lodge and camp there in the summer months. It is so worth the trip in the fall with the changing leaves.

Beautiful cool mountains tall pines and great clear water lakes with abundant rainbow trout less than an hour drive from grand junction. Also powder horn ski resort is located there great fun for the whole family summer or winter. In the summer DO NOT FORGET YOUR MOSQUITO REPELLANT

go beginning of fall for fall colors, Nice fishing places to have lunch calming relax Great for leaving town behind

If you go to Grand Junction Colorado it is a high mountain desert and within 45 minutes you are in an incredible forest with over 300 mountain lakes 10 to 20 degrees cooler and beautiful scenery. There is fishing, horseback riding and just all around great views. The town of Mesa on the way up there is the Wagon Wheel for some hometown cooking and of course beer. If you go up on the Mesa side for sure be sure to bring bug spray!

Our family enjoyed a wonderful 5 day camping trip atop the Grand Mesa. Mostly cool mornings and warm afternoons. Plenty of lakes for boating and fishing, numerous trails for hiking and mtn biking. Numerous campgrounds can be found along the highway. We all enjoyed the wide open meadows that we rode or hiked along. Lots of scenery to be had for sure. The trailheads and trails were well marked. Be prepared, this time of year, for scattered showers and cooler temperatures.

It was a solemn visit for us, as we had a memorial service there for my father. It was the most beautiful drive up to the location of the memorial. We will do it again when we have a happier reason to visit, and make use of the pullouts along the way. We were there the latter part of September, and the weather was all over the place. Sunny, rainy, very windy, not windy, hot, cold. We were there maybe 2 1/2 hrs. Keep that in mind with what you wear that day, and take a jacket. Typical Colorado weather! Through it all, it was a beautiful place, remember your camera.

I've been in Colorado most of my life but had never been on this drive. It is a scenic drive that will take you past lakes, overlook views and mixed forests with a lot of wildflowers in summer, and many groves of aspens that must be stunning in fall. I'd like to return then.

you have to see it for yourself!!! mountain streams, pretty lakes, campgrounds, places to eat or stay the night or longer.

We like to take rides through the Grand Mesa a few times a year. It reminds us of the vastness of it, the beauty and the absolute peace of hiking in the area. MUST see to appreciate.

This is a truly lovely area. Beautiful in all seasons be it winter when the trees are picture perfect with snow, or summer when the air smells soooo good and the blue skies are amazing! This area is only 45 minutes from Grand Junction or an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half from Montrose. The scenery is varied from rock cliffs outside Grand Junction to forest higher up the mountain. The Powderhorn Ski Resort is on Grand Mesa as well as many trails for hiking in summer and cross country skiing and snowmobiling and snowshoeing in winter. This area truly has something for everyone. As with any high mountain terrain, do be prepared and be safe. Once you are up on the mesa there are no stores nearby if you get thirsty or hungry! Be sure and have your camera ready for some wonderful photography. I know you will have a memorable and enjoyable time!

The scenery is just stunning~ we drive through here at least once a year, and it never disappoints!!

I skied Powderhorn downhill while my partner skied cross country. Grand Mesa has some of the best cross country trails in Colorado. Powderhorn is a small ski resort, only 3 chairs. The lodge is old but comfortable. Unfortunately there are few places to go to dinner at night. They really need a close restaurant.

Took highway 65 out of Grand Junction and did the loop to Powder Horn Ski area and continued back around to hwy 50. The roads were dry but, since it was early May still lots of snow up there and too early to go fishing. All lakes were snowed over.
Still a picturesque drive and sceneary. Very light traffice during the week.

The Grand Mesa is tha largest flat topped mountain in the world and offers wonderful opportunities for any season. Plan on spending at least a day, there is plenty to do here. Visit Cedaredge, CO on the south side of the mountain for a small towm experience or Grand Junction, Co to the west for all the conveniences of a city. The Grand Mesa has 10000 lakes, many for fishing with boat rentals available but check for motor and size restrictions when you choose a lake if you have your own boat. Campgrounds are next to or close to lakes and in our experience have always been clean and well kept. Bring sunscreen year round, water container and mosquito repellant in summer and fall. Great hiking trails with information at a large visitors center. Powderhorn ski area in the winter is smaller than other resorts but is more convenient and offers terrain for all skier abilities. Dont miss this gorgeous area of Colorado.

Curvy roads and not too busy! Grand vistas!
Definitely worth going out of your way! Stay as long as you like

I didn’t know we were going. Our friends wanted to go so we went. Very beautiful are. Next time, I will get my wife a fishing license and let her fish. Beautiful area. Go for it!

A dream, especially in autumn when the slopes glow in autumn colours. Beautiful little lakes and hiking trails.

We selected this because we are from AZ and wanted to enjoy the trees and lakes and were not disappointed

I am fortunate to be able to play a lot of golf courses and this is by far one of my favorites. It's one of the highest rated public courses in Colorado and well worth the rating. The scenery is spectacular and the course condition is impeccable. Undulating fairways and slick greens make it a real challenge. I play every time I come to Grand Junction. I would love to see them upgrade their rental set of clubs as they are very outdated. The staff is friendly and very helpful. If you come to Grand Junction, make sure this is on your your bucket list.

Beautiful place have view by lake and mountain. We stopped at the Grand Mesa Lodge and rented a boat to row around Island Lake. Fishing rods and bait are available as well.Great hiking trails. Would definitely go again.

Absolutely beautiful. Still hard to comprehend how large the Mesa is. Could see it from anywhere in Grand Junction but we were amazed when we visited the Black Canyon outside of Montrose, we could still see the Grand Mesa from one of their viewpoints!

Drove up here from Grand Junction via Delta about half an hour. and you start going up and up then you hit the snow line and Wow you are in a wonderful winterland of snow and Spruce trees. very beautiful to look at and not too cold even the 300 lakes are frozen. A lovely drive over to Mesa and back to Junction. Two hor round trip .. Do it , its lovely

Colorado Highway 65 "Grand Mesa Scenic Byway" climbs over Grand Mesa and through the National Forest for 63 miles between I-70 exit 49 and the town of Cedaredge. As it heads south from I-70, the road hugs a creek as it winds through rocky canyons. Then as it ascends the mesa, expansive views open up in all directions. The highway switch-backs up the mesa and into the National Forest of pine and aspen trees, where the mesa reaches an altitude of 10,000'. There are many spots to pull over and enjoy the view. Grand Mesa is called "Land O'Lakes" because there are over 300 lakes atop its surface. The recreation area is popular for hiking, camping, fishing and skiing. We saw deer, marmots and hawks. A visitor center is located at the intersection of CO65 and Barren Lake Rd. where you can get information. Take a scenic drive for a couple of hours, or stay a week and enjoy the alpine climate and scenery. We went on a Tuesday morning and had the mesa practically to ourselves. Tip: Parts of the mesa are open range - be alert for cattle in the road.

This is just a great drive in the fall of the year. no bugs.temp. is cool and nice.. Great views... of the fall colors and the lakes

Hike the Grand Mesa National Recreational Trail while you are there. Incredible views in all directions for features to the distant horizon.

Nice drive up and over the largest flat top mountain in the world. Stunning views and cooler temps than the valley below. A great day trip.

One of the most amazing places that I have ever been too. Words can't describe. I thought the Rocky Mts were remarkable, but the Grand Mesa is truly special. The views of the Rockys without the crowds. If you hike, come prepared for all types of weather! It started to snow and the roads were very slick. We were prepared, but it was still unnerving.

very beautiful , awesome fishing , hiking and camping, taking a drive in the fall you can see the beautiful colors of the leaves changing !! watch for deer , you may get lucky and see a moose, or bear

If it's outdoors the Grand Mesa has it. I've camped, hunted, hiked, taken scenic driving tours, skied cross country and downhill, and feed chipmunks on the Mesa. It's a beautiful place during all seasons.

In Summer or Winter this is an awesome place.Why? Because in an area where it is surrounded by "high desert" it is pure Alpine. There are over 300 lakes and the fishing there is fantastic. In Winter the downhill and cross country skiing is second to none. The Glade Skiing at Powderhorn, the groomed and tracked Cross Country skiing at Skyway/County Line/Ward Lake is exceptional and the backcountry skiing and snowshoeing is sublime.

I have been to the Grand Mesa many times and stayed in a a cabin again. The cabins are not perfect, some need remodeling or problems with them that need to be fixed. The Lodgwe where you check in and eat at the restraint they have there is ok, they are good at the restraunt part. and also at checking in, but it is informal.

Living in the shadow of the Grand Mesa gives us the wonderful opportunity to explore frequently. As the highest elevation Mesa in North America, with lakes, great hikes, and campgrounds, what more could we ask.

If you like the outdoors, fishing,hiking,camping, and four wheeling, then you will love the Grand Mesa! You won't run out of places to explore!

Hiked the Craig Crest Trail - one of the best hikes around . It’s about 10 miles but a lovely loop. It’s best to go early before noon thunderstorms start because there is an exposed ledger for the prettiest part of the hike.

Powderhorn has some good ski runs. Scenic area.. Road in good condition and not too many switchbacks.

Pretty place. Great place to park and love in the car. Feels good. Fresh air. Cool and fun. Romantic. Sexy.

We were traveling from Grand Junction to Denver for the day, this was a perfect side detour. Grand Mesa scenic highway is absolutely gorgeous. You go through river canyons to start, then climb your way up the Grand Mesa. In May, you still see a ton of snow. The lakes look like "snow lakes".

Imagine during the summer time, these would be awesome lakes to play around in. There are plenty of overlooks to stop at for a grand view to the valley. We also drove to check out the small ski resort: Powder Horn

Made the drive lovely before heading towards Denver.

As I don't want my secret spot to suddenly be as popular as Vail or Aspen. I love this part of Colorado, mosquitoes and all. The hike is lovely and offers unparalleled vistas. It is a tougher hike but there are tougher hikes right in Boulder.

It is a beautiful place drive up mountain is great .the site is very interesting to everyone enjoy the scenic view everyone need to drive uo there or hike

This place was simply beautiful and serene! It was still winter up there in the beginning of May. We drove up and over the Mesa to go to the Grand Canyon of the Gunnison. The ride up from Grand Junction was a little hairy in one area because snow had blown onto the road at a hairpin turn with a steep drop off! We stopped at the Visitor's center to use the restrooms ( which were open, clean and heated, with flush toilets but no running water in the sinks). The Visitor's center itself was closed and had tons of snow and ice around, but was shoveled to get to the restrooms. It looks like there are lakes and parks up there, but we didn't stop because most things looked like they were closed and we were just driving through. I highly recommend this as a side trip, or to visit! The views are fantastic both ways!

What a great place for locals or visitors. Hundreds of lakes and streams, fishing, hiking, skiing, riding off road, its natures play ground.

We have been to Grand Junction many times but I’ve never been on top of the mesa. He wanted to show it to me so we headed to the top. The drive was beautiful with lovely views. The weather was perfect. Cool but sunny. We didn’t go to the Land’s End Observatory as we wanted to keep good time and not get to the hotel late.
Stopped at Cobbett Lake. A gorgeous lake with trails and the visitor center nearby. We used the facilities and then continued the drive. The drive down afforded breathtaking views of the fall colors. Met a friendly couple who took our photos and we chatted for a bit. They were house hunting and I was jelly. What a fantastic place to move to. I look forward to driving this route again and spending time at the observatory.

Being from the area, we are blessed to have the Grand Mesa in our backyard! Whether you're in for sightseeing, hiking, renting a kayak or canoe or taking in Fall colors there is always something to do! Snowmobiling is incredible and there are many places to rent or stop and grab a quick bite to eat! Make sure you're prepared to take a lot of pictures!

Beautiful wilderness area with many lakes, trails and camping areas. Summer great for fishing, camping hiking. Winter cross country skiing, snowmobiling, snow shoeing. Best of all, a hidden gem in western Colorado.

Lots of snow still, absolutely beautiful, great lunch at the Wagon Wheel, homemade chicken tenders and sweet potato frie

On CO 65 midway between Cedaredge and Mesa, the Visitor's Center for Grand Mesa National Forest is a beautiful building that houses information and gifts. The Discovery Trail is just past the restrooms to the northeast. Cobbett Lake adjacent as well as access to private lodges and further lake access. Ample forest information and gift selection.

A gorgeous paradise 45 minutes from Grand Junction..The largest flat plateau in the world with over 200 lakes..The temperature is 25 to 30 degrees cooler in the summer than Grand Junction..Great hiking, horse back riding, fishing and camping.I have been going to this area for 50 years and still love it!

Early Saturday morning went to the Palast design Peach Festival. Lot and lots of people and lots and lots of summer heat. Could not take it any more so loaded up an started up the hi.ll to Grand Mesa. After leaving th valley floor at 90+ degrees we climbed into the alpine heaven and a temp drop of over 30 degrees. The flat top mesa was a perfect place to unwind after all those people and heat. If you have never been there, take your time drive slow and try to spot wildlife, and some birds. Great afternoon drive.

This is really a beautiful drive up and over the grand mesa. It has hundreds of lakes that inner are great for fishing but none the less are beautiful for pictures and self reflection. This is another example of beautiful mountains in this great county.

The views are incredible - it's the world's largest mesa. The road lets you see the views as it flirts with the edge, again and again and again. Drive focused. I'm very glad that we saw this.

One of the pretest places on earth. Over 200 fresh water lakes and resevoirs. Once on top you can see for miles. Breathtaking.

This is such a beautiful location. The drive up was so pretty with varied scenery. We had cool weather and amazing views as we drove up higher there was already quite a bit of snow. We will be going back so we can enjoy more.

Such a beautiful mountain with all of the pine and aspen trees and so many natural lakes with great trout fishing!! Make sure you take your mosquito repellant, the mosquitos are huge up there. Definitely take up drive up to the Mesa during the fall time when all of the leaves are changing color, absolutely beautiful!!! There is great camping on the Mesa as well, you can either tent, trailer or rent a cabin, wonderful experience.

We turned off of the interstate headed to the Grand Mesa National Forest and found ourselves driving through a canyon with magnificent rock walls. We found a great place to camp in the national forest next to a creek that the kids found hours of entertainment playing in.

A hidden gem. Don't know why it took us so long to visit the Grand Mesa. We visit Colorado often an kept circling around the Grand Mesa, that was a mistake. We were fortunate enough to be there in mid Sept. To see the aspen trees turning gold, an awesome sight. Nothing like a picnic in the forest surrounded by aspen and pine. For this flat lander it was Fantastic.

Very interesting drive with great views. This time of year, late September, the aspens are in full color. Lots of magnificent views with shades of yellows and greens. I recommend going out of Grand Junction on Hwy 50 to Delta where you will take Hwy 65 into the forest. At the visitors center you can take the roads up the hill, 121, 129 and 123 (these are dirt roads) to see the lakes. Then proceed on 65 back to I70. We did the drive in about 4 hours with lots of stops and then drove on to Colorado National Monument and plenty of time to visit there, all in one day.

Summer or winter there is always something to do on the Grand Mesa or Thunder Mtn as the native american's called it. In the winter there is down hill skinig, cross country skiing, snow shoeing and snow mobleing. In nice weather there is hiking and horse back riding and fishing. There are any number of lodges up there where you can stay or eat and lots of camping. In the summer it is at least ten degrees or more cooler then the valley. But bring your skeeter spray, they can get pretty thick until about August. One caution, if you are not use to high altitude take it easy. It is possible to get altitude sickness here. I use to lead a hiking group up there and sometimes visitors from low areas felt the effects. The top of the Mesa is at 11,600 feet above sea level. On a clear day you can see the San Juan Mtns to the south at almost 100 miles away.

Go from the desert to the high alpine 11,000 feet above sea level. Speaking of level, it is very flat on top which is great for mountain biking or hiking the trails starting right from the highway. Lots of places to get off the pavement and explore. Good gravel road leads to "Lands End" which has a spectacular view of the Grand Valley and the desert below. There is a twisty road leading back to Grand Junction from that point if you dare!

Great place for all types of winter and summer activities. Ski downhill or cross country. Snowmobile on the trails. Fish, camp and hike in the summer time. Camping or cabins are available. Sight seeing recommended.

This had to be one of the most relaxing places to spend a weekend of camping under the stars! The elevation provided a wonderful escape from the heat of the lower elevations, and the stars are so much brighter. Make sure to research and plan ahead before going, especially if camping out, as the temperatures can get quite cool, even in the height of summer. The natural beauty is breathtaking.

The Grand Mesa is an exciting place to visit. The many roads and trails can keep you occupied for days. Many great fishing spots, and good Elk and Deer hunting. Many 4x4 trails and in winter the snowmobile, cross country skiing and snowshoeing are awesome.. Several campgrounds are available, along with cabin rentals. We stopped for a burger at Mesa Lakes Lodge. A must visit during fall colors.

Beautiful drive with unbelievable views! Saw numerous deer. The lakes are crystal clear. We will be back in the spring to take advantage of the camping and fishing options

The fishing was awesome. Easily accessible to fish off the bank. Lakes everywhere for you to try your fishing skills. Lodge for lunch very rustic, wonderful food!

Lots of mosquitoes. Yikes. Dusty roads. Lakes barley exist. All of the other places in Colorado we visited were better.

It is my favorite place to go.It does not matter what season is outside-the view will be beautiful! It is a lot of activities you can do there: hiking,skiing,fishing,ATV riding,snowmobilies,boating and on and on .

Two of us went last week, during the week to the Grand Mesa Nordic Council trail area. We rented snow shoes in Grand Junction and headed up Route 65 to the Skyway Trail area. The trails were well groomed with excellent signage. The parking area had plenty of space and there were paper maps available for free however a $10 donation per person was suggested. For $10 you will have excellent trails to cross country ski or snow shoe. It is a bargain! We did snow shoeing for 2.5 hours and had a delightful time. It was a real workout and the wind was blowing in open areas. We will definitely be back again to explore this area further. Thank you Grand Mesa Nordic Council for providing a wonderful trail system!

Grand Mesa is a large flat top mountain where there are a variety of activities you can enjoy. Well over 200 lakes and reservoirs are stocked with trout. Many of them are easily accessible from the road. There are some that require a four wheel drive vehicle or by hike. There is a seven mile hike called the Grag Crest hike. It is moderately difficult and at the crest you are treated to a panoramic view in all directions. During the summer wildflowers are abundant and deer, moose, and other forms of wildlife can be seen occasionally. It is a good family destination. There are accommodations that can be rented or several campsites where you can park a camper or set up a tent. A good family destination.

This is one of the prettiest forest that I have ever been in. The drive through the park is just stunning, especially right now with all the flowers blooming. We stoped and walked along many of the larger lakes (there are over 300 lakes) and saw many people fishing and also saw someone swimming. The largest lake (Island Lake) we saw several kayaks and paddle boarders. Make sure you go up Land of Lakes hike, its not very far and is the best view in the park. The drive out to Lands End is just as beautiful, There are a couple of log cabins to explore along the way. When tou get out to the old observatory the view is amazing. Then you can drive down to 50 via a dirt road with many switchbacks, and it is narrow in many parts and you cannot pass so watch out for other cars coming up. There are several camp sites, most look like they would be more suitable for tent camping.

Mesa...pines, greenery...it is all about the mountain (the Mesa is a huge flat-top Mountain) to the east. Monument....dry arid, all about the Canyons, to the west. Mt. Garfield....impressive giant rock structure that is part of the Bookcliffs, the only major mountain chain that wins east to west and it is to the north. Pictures for reference (sorry..posted in reverse order).

Breathtaking views. Worth the drive with so many beautiful stops to take photos. Saw wildlife and snow.

We backpacked in over the July 4th weekend. It was absolutely beautiful. We attempted to fly fish, but didn't have a lot of luck with that. There wasn't fire restrictions, so we had camp fires every night. Didn't see a lot of wildlife, but we did hear an elk calling. The temperature was mid 60's during the day and dropped to 50 at night. If you like spending time outside, hiking, fishing or camping, this is the place for you.

Leave yourself enough time to explore the area. It's amazing! Have seen big horn sheep, elk, deer, eagles, hawks, fox- crazy. It's the largest flat top mountain in the world and has over 100 lakes.

They have camp grounds, fishing spots, and hiking trails that wrap all around the small lakes. The views are great and the weather was amazing. Even though we were there in early June, there was still some snow that blocked a few of the trails, so plan accordingly. Definitely a must-visit.

There are many lakes available, so if you prefer fewer people - not a problem. Take a jacket because it will surprise you how cool it is at that altitude. Also, the benefit of being in a drought - - - very few mosquitos this year! So enjoy a mountain hike or fishing get away!