Grand Junction's Best Views That Aren't in the National Monument
Mount Garfield's 360, the Palisade Rim at sunset, and Lands End's mile-high balcony — three Grand Valley overlooks locals love as much as the Monument.
Field note
Written for people who actually have to park, pack water, watch the weather, keep kids happy, and still find the good local bite after the main event.
Everybody knows the Colorado National Monument delivers a hero shot. But ask a local where they actually go for the best view in the Grand Valley and you'll hear about three other spots more often than not — the Book Cliffs' tallest peak, a sunset ledge above Palisade, and the highest balcony on the world's largest flat-top mountain.
Mount Garfield — The Grand Valley's 360-Degree Summit
At 6,765 feet, Mount Garfield is the top of the Book Cliffs skyline you see from anywhere in the valley. The trail is short (3.4 miles round-trip) but steep — nearly 2,000 feet of climbing, mostly exposed. Do it at sunrise. From the summit you can pick out downtown Grand Junction, Palisade, the Colorado River, the Grand Mesa, and yes — the Monument itself, sitting across the valley like a postcard.
Palisade Rim Trail — Front-Row Seat to Sunset
The Palisade Rim sits around 5,700 feet on the north side of the Colorado River, right above the vineyards. It's the go-to sunset hike for anyone who wants a real overlook without a summit push. Time it so you're at the overlook 30–45 minutes before sunset — the light hitting the orchards and Mount Garfield across the river is the shot. Pack a headlamp for the walk back.
Lands End Observatory — The Grand Mesa's Highest Balcony
Perched at roughly 10,500 feet on the western edge of the Grand Mesa, Lands End lets you look more than a mile straight down into the valley. Grand Junction, the Book Cliffs, the Uncompahgre Plateau — all of it laid out beneath you. Most passenger cars can handle the gravel Lands End Road off Highway 65 in dry conditions; expect washboards and steep grades, and save it for a clear afternoon so you can stay for sunset.
Local move: chain two of these in a day — Mount Garfield at sunrise, Lands End at sunset. You'll cover the full elevation range of Mesa County, from valley floor desert to alpine mesa, in about 12 hours.
Adapted from a KEKB local guide by Wes Adams.
Gear check
What to pack
- Refillable water bottle for every person — the dry Grand Valley air sneaks up fast.
- Sun hat, sunglasses, and real sunscreen, even when the forecast looks mild.
- A light layer for wind, shade, or air-conditioned stops after a hot outdoor stretch.
- Downloaded map or screenshot of the address; canyon and mesa service can be spotty.
Western Slope know-how
Local insider tips
- Arrive earlier than feels necessary; Palisade's streets are charming precisely because they are not built for big-event traffic.
- Use shade and hydration as part of the plan, not as an emergency response after the second tasting or cobbler line.
- Buy produce directly from grower booths when possible — locals know the best fruit rarely needs fancy packaging.
- If Main Street feels packed, step one or two blocks off the obvious corridor before giving up on parking or food.
Make it a full outing
Nearby local stops
- Palisade main-street tasting rooms for a slow, walkable finish.
- A roadside fruit stand for the peaches locals take home by the box.
- Riverbend Park or the Fruit & Wine Byway if you need a quieter reset after crowds.
- A patio reservation before golden hour — Palisade dinner seats disappear fast on event weekends.
