5 Summer Must-Try Colorado Water Activities

Seeking thrill on the water this weekend? Grand Junction lakes and rivers offer ample opportunity for recreational fun. From river rafting, fishing, and boating, here are a few suggestions for some of the area’s best places to go and enjoy the water this summer. 

Whitewater River Rafting 

Grand Junction is one of the west's prime whitewater rafting destinations. Westwater Canyon lies between Grand Junction, Colorado, and Moab, Utah on the Colorado River and offers some of the area's most thrilling adventures. There are several different rapids in Westwater Canyon, and with names like Last Chance, Skull Rapid, and Room-of-Doom, only experienced boaters should attempt to maneuver through this canyon. Families with small children are discouraged from considering a trip through Westwater Canyon, and many guided rafting companies won’t accept children under the age of 12. For more information, you can check out Rimrock Adventures on ways you can plan for your trip.

Jet Boating

Ever wanted to hit the water as fast as you do on a jet ski but with more than two people? Say hello to Jet Boat Colorado. It is the first company in the state to offer jet-propelled boating experiences of high magnitude. The company’s Wild Mustang jet boat sits up to 11 passengers and a driver and is equipped with a 420-horsepower, fuel-injected engine that takes passengers on exhilarating Colorado River adventures featuring fishtails, speed runs, and “cowboy spins.” Jet Boat Colorado will satisfy your need for speed this summer! 

Paddleboarding, Kayaking, and Canoeing 

For more relaxing water activities, we suggest paddleboarding, kayaking or canoeing, all which can be great ways to soak up the region's natural beauty. We recommend heading to Connected Lakes which is made up of four lakes and is situated on the southern edge of the Colorado River to participate in any of these water activities, as well as fishing. Other great places to visit are Mack Mesa Lake, Butterfly Pond, and RiverFront at Las Colonias Park. If you need to rent a paddleboard or canoe, you can visit Rimrock Adventures and Centennial Canoe for pricing information. 

Fishing

Grand Junction is adjacent to the Grand Mesa National Forest which contains hundreds of lakes and thousands of miles of tributaries, as well as the Colorado River. Our waters are excellent sources for fishing. Corn Lake is the go-to spot for fly fishing and offers two wheelchair-accessible fishing piers. Corn Lake contains vast and healthy populations of largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and channel catfish. Bull Creek Reservoirs #1 and #2 are also well-known spots for fishing. At Bull Creek, you’ll likely to catch rainbow, cutthroat, brook, brown, splake, golden lake, and snake river trout depending on the time of year. Don’t miss the nearby connecting streams following the Lake of the Woods Trail, as well as Youngs Creek Reservoir, Kitson Reservoir, and Griffith Reservoir! 

Photo by Woody Kelly on Unsplash

Book a Float Trip 

If the weekend calls for a relaxing evening along the river, consider taking a scenic float trip on the Colorado River from Palisade to James M. Robb Colorado River State Park at Corn Lake. If you book through Palisade River Trips, you can enjoy a two-hour float through Colorado’s beautiful fruit and wine country on the magnificent Colorado River. This is a great experience for the family or as an afternoon cocktail float. Feel free to bring your own beverages!