Location: Fruita
Top Things to do in Fruita
- 1. Colorado National Monument
- 2. Museum of Western Colorado: Dinosaur Journey Museum
- 3. Western Slope Vietnam War Memorial
- 4. Colorado Welcome Center
- 5. Devils Canyon Hiking Trails
- 6. Mary's Loop
- 7. Kokopelli's Trail
- 8. Fruita Community Center
- 9. Rattlesnake Canyon
- 10. Black Ridge Wilderness Study Area
Top 10 Things to do in Fruita, United States
The City of Fruita (pronounced /ˈfruːtə/) is a Home Rule Municipality located in western Mesa County, Colorado, United States. Fruita is part of the Grand Junction Metropolitan Statistical Area and within the Grand Valley. The geography is identified by the bordering Colorado River (historically known as the Grand River) on the southern edge of town, the Uncompahgre Plateau known for its pinyon-juniper landscape, and the Book Cliffs range on the northern edge of the Grand Valley. The population was 12,646 at the 2010 census. Originally home to the Ute people, white farmers settled the town after founder William Pabor in 1884. Ten years later, Fruita was incorporated.
Restaurants in Fruita
1. Colorado National Monument
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
This monument, 23,000 acres of canyons, plateaus and massive towers of naturally sculpted monoliths, includes Balance Rock, a 600-ton boulder perched on a rock pedestal. Two entrances are located outside the cities of Fruita and Grand Junction, Colorado.
Reviewed By John G - Iowa City, Iowa
A highlight of this park is the long scenic drive, aptly named because it is on the edge of a cliff. Unfortunately, after about 25 minutes, you have to turn around and go back to Fruita instead of continuing onward to Grand Junction -- that's because of construction.
A highlight for us was the nature trail, across the street from the visitor center. It's a very easy 20 minute hike. Ask for a guide in the visitor center, so that you learn the names of plants and so forth.
2. Museum of Western Colorado: Dinosaur Journey Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 210 reviews
Life-sized robotic dinosaurs and an earthquare simulator are some of this museum's exhibits that will interest the whole family.
Reviewed By Anna L
Great price. Great variety. Worth the stop! They have lots of things for small children and robot dinosaurs that are lifelike. They also have a large display room of archaeologists currently working to uncover bones. Very informational, you could spend a little bit of time or a lot of time in here.
3. Western Slope Vietnam War Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
VietnamReviewed By HarleyMatt - Bristol, United Kingdom
One of my friends husbands name is on the wall here... it makes you think and then realise wives and children of the soldiers are still around and it makes you think again...
Have a prayer ready it will help when you reflect on the war and of other wars... I think when they made this place it was to help people just understand a little bit of the sadness and the horror.. please go here.......
4. Colorado Welcome Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By Rita B
When you go into the building, you will be greeted by at least one volunteer. They are anxious to answer any question you might have about the area. And the facility is loaded with pamphlets and other take away information.
There is an area with a table and chairs if you want to sit and read over your information. And there are picnic tables outside in a large, grassy area (some of the picnic tables are covered, in case of rain). The restrooms are clean and you can get to them directly or go through the visitor center.
If you are a dog owner, as I am, you might be put off by the hundreds (seemingly) of NO PETS ALLOWED or NO DOGS HERE signs. It isn't easy to spot the pet area - it is to the south of the parking area. It comes equipped with bags to pick up the doggie waste. If you don't spot the area - just ask one of the volunteers.
There is an RV dump area and you can also get potable and non potable water there. I don't RV - so, I am just telling you what I see.
There are several restaurants very nearby. And the Vietnam War Memorial is in walking distance and you can see it from the rest stop.
This is a very nice, well maintained welcome center and you will enjoy your welcome to Colorado here!
5. Devils Canyon Hiking Trails
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By saddlehorn - alpine, tx
This is a very hot hiking place in the summer. Although we'll marked the trails are lengthy. You will be tempted to go off trail. I don't recommend this, there are many dead end canyons and steep drop offs. This extensive trail system has some very easy trails and some more extreme hiking. Please keep your dogs on leash as there is wildlife in the area and lots of cryptobiotic soil, that is easily crushed. Also, still relatively pristine, please don't "accidentally " drop your trash
Thanks
6. Mary's Loop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
A good area for jeep and biking activities.
Reviewed By tiburondelnorte - whitewater colorado
it seems mountain-bike enthusiasts wax hyperbolically starry-eyed about Moab -- but if you're REALLY "into" mountain-biking -- without being surrounded by acres of lycra and diminishing wilderness (but with, yes, much more magnificent scenery) -- give this area a try. The biking itself is like going to a ski area ... want double-black diamond? There's a bunch of that. Blue (intermediate) slopes? There's plenty. Easy? (My "speed", by the way) -- there are a couple 'practice loops' and I personally can just ride on the gravel roads. And, yes, there's scenery, which can detract from the "matter at hand" (keeping your bike on the trail). Mary's Loop is not as hot as Moab, and (seriously) you can probably ride here 11 months a year ... well, SKIP summer mid-day's. Trail running? you bet. Just plain hiking? There are several Colorado River over-looks, and you might have "the place to yourself" on the colder days in winter. Fruita (with brew-pubs, bike fix-it/supply shops, restaurants -- and MOTELS) is not too far away.
7. Kokopelli's Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
This trail runs for 145 miles and is ideal for jeep, as well as hiking and biking enthusiasts.
Reviewed By aledm - The World
Rustler's Loop (part of Kokopelli Loops in the McInnis Canyons) was perfect for us oldsters. We biked 3.77 miles on a beginner’s trail past Utah junipers (with berries!) and saw a rabbit and a lizard. There was sage and green brush/grass. It flowering cactus was about a month away from blooming. The canyons of McInnis were gorgeous and biking high above the Colorado River was breathtaking. A very wonderful single track ride.
8. Fruita Community Center
Overall Ratings
5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Rita B
Everyone should have a place like this in town. There is pretty much everything you could want. Indoor pool, outdoor pool, multi use ball court, workout rooms, an indoor walking path are there for exercise.
There is a library here. There are meeting rooms where special lectures are held (we went to one on back health).
Gray Gourmet feeds seniors here - and they also sponsor pot luck meals.
This is just amazing and so inexpensive. You do not have to be a resident to enjoy this facility!
9. Rattlesnake Canyon
Overall Ratings
4 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By binks22 - Longmont, Colorado
We approached from the lower bench road in the Black Ridge Wilderness. The road is long but passible until the last two miles. Watch for motorcycles on road. The hike is one half mile to the junction. Go low at the junction to the bottom of the mesa. Hike around the bottom to see the arches. Do NOT stay on top. Do NOT follow the sign to arch one. GO DOWN! The trail is one way out and back the same way. Do not plan on climbing up arch one unless you have some good skills. Or a rope! It is very hot and sunny. Take water, cool fruit, snacks.
10. Black Ridge Wilderness Study Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
A high altitude area ideal for biking and hiking.
Reviewed By LostInColorado - Denver, Colorado
We've done (or almost done) this trip "both ways." Our first attempt was to follow the Pollock Bench trail (so aptly described by ColoradoBen1). This is a looooooooooong trip. As he correctly comments, you're going up and down and across multiple canyons / arroyos on your way to the "primary" trail that takes you to the arches. At one point we reached a traverse across a 45 degree slab of slickrock . . . one of our party wasn't comfortable, given the long drop if we slipped. So we turned around at this point. Still, it was an enjoyable trip. We saw one other hiker the entire day - so a great way to "get away." You'll definitely need a good map and route finding skills. This trail is NOT obvious.
The easier way is to take the upper or lower road to the Rattlesnake Arches trailhead. These roads are closed from, I believe, mid-October to mid-April. The first 10-12 miles of the road isn't too bad - a normal passenger car could make it most of the way (not a low profile sports sedan, though). The last couple of miles on the road pretty much require a high-clearance vehicle (or you can walk / bike the last bit).
Once at the Rattlesnake Arches trailhead, the trail(s) are very obvious (but I still recommend having a good map). I recommend taking the lower trail. The arches are spectacular - be sure you're routinely looking up and to the left so you don't miss any. Once you reach the final arch (you'll know - the trail ends), you can either retrace your steps (recommended by BLM) or climb up through the arch and arrive at the upper trail. The climb through the arch isn't too bad if you have "grippy" hiking boots and some crazy friends who might be able to lend a hand. That being said, the trail isn't terribly long, so retracing your steps (remember, recommended by the BLM) you just get to see the magnificent arches a second time!
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