The Best Biking Trails in Fruita, Palisade & Grand Junction
Mountain biking on Grand Junction’s epic trails will earn you some serious street cred. Home to some of the best singletracks in the country, adventurers from all over world make the pilgrimage to the Western Slope to prove themselves on the steep ridges and technical slick rock that define mountain biking in western Colorado.
Whether you prefer rugged wilderness trails or want a road bike ride that offers great climbs and even better views, there are fun and challenging trails for all skill levels scattered throughout the Grand Valley area, including Palisade, Grand Junction and Fruita. Here are the top local biking trails where you’ll find brag-worthy riding for all skill levels.
New! Palisade Plunge
Set between Grand Junction and the Grand Mesa National Forest on Colorado’s Western Slope, Palisade is more famous for its peaches and wine than its biking. But that’s set to change this summer when the much-hyped Palisade Plunge debuts. Nearly 10 years in the making and a $3.2 million investment, it’s being billed as the longest singletrack downhill mountain bike trail in the U.S. starting at the top of Colorado’s Grand Mesa and descending 32 miles and 6,000 feet down to town.
Phase I of the Palisade Plunge is almost complete. The trail is not open yet, but keep checking back here for updates on trail opening.
Lunch Loops
Big slickrock sections, technical drops, and awesome singletrack make the Lunch Loops mountain bike trail system Grand Junction’s premiere riding destination. The trail system is a virtual playground for mountain bikers seeking out technical challenges, with its nearly endless array of rocks and tricky lines.
There are all kinds of rock features, from drops, to rolls and skinny chutes that are fun and challenging for even expert riders. There is also some easier riding for those less technically inclined, but Lunch Loops is not the most beginner friendly as a whole.
The Ribbon, with its super long and fast rock sections, and Free Lunch’s technical lines are some of the more well-known trails at the Lunch Loops, but there are other fun other trails, too. There are a lot of short and sweet trails that make for tons of options to combine trails for a longer ride. The Tabeguache Trail serves as the main connecting trail at the area.
18 Road
Mountain bikers will love the short, fast, and smooth mountain bike trails at 18 Road. The trails here are famous for the great flow that snakes down open and exposed ridgelines. Making the trail system an even better destination is the campground located right in the middle of the mountain bike trails. This means riders can pedal straight from camp to the epic mountain bike trails at 18 Road.
The trails are all pretty short, which makes it easy to get in a bunch of laps, checking each awesome trail off of your bucket list. Nearly all of the trails are downhill only, respect this directionality as downhill riders will not be expecting to see mountain bikers climbing the trails. Most riders will pedal up the road, 18 Road, to reach the upper parking area and the downhill trails. The Prime Cut trail can be used to climb to the trails rather than the road.
Palisade Rim Trailhead
The Palisade Rim trail is an advanced (black diamond rated) trail that’s about 9-miles in length with 1,200 feet of climbing, give or take. As noted above, the riding options in Palisade are limited to this ride, so if you’re in search of something more mellow, try the trails at 18 Road or the Kokopelli trails in Fruita. But, if you’re up for some technical climbing and descending over chunky rock, Palisade Rim is a really, really good ride with breathtaking views.
Kokopelli Trail at McInnis Canyons National Conservatory
Two of the nation’s top 100 classic mountain bike trails can be found seven miles west of Fruita, on the Kokopelli Loop trails, located within the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area. Whether you’re riding the 3.5-mile beginner Rustler’s loop trail or tackling the strenuous Mack Ridge Trail, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness and Colorado River. The Kokopelli Loop Trail system is arguably the best desert mountain biking in Colorado and is situated in an area easy to access and close to town.
Powderhorn Resort Bike Park
Opening June 17th, 2021, subject to change. The Powderhorn Bike Park was built to complement the natural terrain of the mountain and create an exhilarating experience for all. Powderhorn's bike park offers multiple lift assisted trails that can challenge the most experienced rider and provide easy terrain for those looking to improve their skills. Don't have the proper bike? Don't worry, rentals are available! The resort offers three levels of trails to help all riders develop and improve their downhill biking skills.
Mutton Buster – Beginner
Pinball Alley – Intermediate
Blue Ribbon – Difficult
Grand Mesa Mountain Biking
For those who want to escape the desert, the Grand Mesa offers beautiful wild flowers, aspen trees and trail riding for all levels.
Flowing Park Loop – Intermediate
Mesa Top Trail – Intermediate
West Bench Trail – Intermediate
Three Sisters Park
The 130 acre Three Sisters Park has trails ranging from easy to semi-difficult. If you want to have fun with the kids take them out on the easier trails. If you're feeling like going it alone, take a trip down one of the more difficult ones. You can't go wrong with whatever you do. There will be signs around letting you know what each trail is. Adjacent to the Tabeguache/Lunch Loop Trail system, this park is just minutes from downtown.
Rapid Creek Trail
Rapid Creek trails lies northwest of the Grand Mesa, exiting Palisade, CO. This trail takes the user over 2,400 feet in elevation and is full of beautiful green scenery. Rapid Creek is a long trail, totalling 11.3 miles and is classified as "Difficult". Bikers and horseback riders are welcome on this trail.
Colorado National Monument
Are skinny tires more your thing? Well, pack your sunscreen and hit the road over the Colorado National Monument on the 23-mile Rim Rock Drive, featuring unbelievable views of red rock canyons and towering monoliths, with the chance to spot desert big horn sheep or the elusive collard lizard.
Colorado Riverfront Trail
For a mellow ride, look to the Colorado Riverfront Trail, stretching 28-miles of mostly flat, paved trail skirting the edge of the Colorado River throughout the Grand Valley. The One Riverfront Trail System celebrates and preserves the cottonwood groves, wetlands, cattail marshes, gravel bars and islands of the Colorado (originally the Grand) and the Gunnison Rivers. The junction of these two mighty rivers provides a beautiful and rich habitat for wildlife and riparian vegetation in an otherwise arid region.
