3 Must-See Natural Marvels That Make Colorado Unique

When people think of Colorado some think of Rocky Mountain National Park, others think of Pikes Peak, and some are more familiar with the San Juans. However, one of the most unique areas is found on the Western Slope in Mesa County.

Anyone who has visited the Grand Valley knows about the amazing trifecta of nature found surrounding the city of Grand Junction including Colorado's Grand Mesa, the Colorado National Monument, and Grand Junction's Rattlesnake Arches.

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Colorado's Grand Mesa

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From spring and summer fishing to winter snowmobiling and cross-country skiing, the Grand Mesa is the largest flattop mountain on earth. This playground features countless trails, campgrounds, and scenic overlooks. Find out everything you need to know before your first visit via the link below.

The Colorado National Monument

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The Colorado National Monument opened on May 24th, 1911, established by President William Howard Taft under the Antiquities Act. You can hike into the monument on foot via several trails located along Broadway (CO 340) in the Redlands, or you can pay to take a car full of guests along the Monument's scenic Rim Rock Drive (23 miles) and view the park from the overlooks in Fruita and Grand Junction.

Grand Junction's Rattlesnake Arches

You don't have to travel to Moab, Utah, to see natural rock arches - they can be found right here surrounding the city of Grand Junction. You can access more than 30 natural rock arches in the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area by taking a 14-mile day hike from the Pollock Bench Trailhead. Nine arches await in Rattlesnake Canyon alone.

Tap the link below for photos and more information on how to find one of the largest concentrations of arches anywhere in the world.

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MORE: Surprising Things Not Everybody in Grand Junction Knows

We have a lot of smart people in Grand Junction, but it's truly surprising when you discover the things that some people living here simply don't know.

Let's take a look at these surprising things not everyone in Grand Junction knows.

Gallery Credit: Tim Gray

UP NEXT: One of Colorado's Oldest and Most Giant Trees is Near Grand Junction

Sitting right next to the Colorado River in Palisade is one of the oldest and largest Fremont Cottonwood trees in the state of Colorado. This special tree was another reason the site was included as part of the Colorado River State Park when it opened in 1994.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams

Exploring the History of Grand Junction, Colorado: From Frontier Town to Small City

If you came to western Colorado in 1880, you probably never would have guessed how the valley would look in 2023. Check out a timeline of significant events that brought Grand Junction from the frontier to a small city from 1880 to 1900.

Gallery Credit: Wes Adams

Filed Under: Colorado Outdoors, Grand Junction Outdoors, Social

Categories: Colorado Local, Colorado News, Colorado Outdoors