Palisade Colorado Recreation

With a mild climate and plenty of diverse terrain, Palisade, Colorado is the perfect destination for any outdoor enthusiast. Palisade borders the Bookcliffs and Grand Mesa National Forest, which offer hiking, biking, camping and much more. If you’re looking to hit the slopes, head to nearby Powderhorn Ski Resort for some steep and deep skiing or snowboarding. Whether it’s hiking at a state park, biking on the Palisade scenic bike route or taking in the wild life at the Little Bookcliffs Wild Horse Area, Palisade is sure to please.

Colorado Riverfront Trail

HIKING: For an easy hike or bird watching, the Colorado Riverfront Trail has a series of trails beginning in Palisade. You’ll experience river channels, small lakes and ponds, canals, islands, wetlands, cattail marshes and cottonwood groves on this beautiful hike. Or take your bike and go on a bike ride.

The Palisade Trail begins at the south end of Brentwood Drive at Riverbend Park. You’ll cross the Grand Valley irrigation canal and walk for 3/4 mile along the north bank of the Colorado River. Along here you’ll see the Bookcliffs, Grand Mesa, orchards and wineries. Eventually the trail will connect to the James M. Robb Colorado State Park at Connected Lakes in Grand Junction, but for now it’s a scenic out and back experience.

Experience the sunrise over the Grand Mesa or a sunset behind Mount Garfield. You can bring a picnic and enjoy it at the kiosk near the end of the trail or at Riverbend Park after your hike.

Another option is five miles east of Palisade on I-70 in beautiful De Beque Canyon. There you’ll find Island Acres, a large island in the middle of the Colorado River, which provides fishing, camping and picnicking options.

You may catch a glimpse of area wildlife in the area. You’ll find three lakes for fishing and a separate lake with a sandy beach for swimming only. Careful, though, as there is no lifeguard on duty. Park fees apply.

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Climate

Winters are moderately cold with daytime highs averaging about freezing and dropping to the mid-teens and low-20s at night. Snowfall averages about 12 inches in Palisade, but seldom stays around for any length of time. On the Grand Mesa, expect 6-10 feet of snow annually.

In the spring and early fall, temperatures are in the mid-60s to low-80s and the Grand Valley sees a frost-free period of 160-180 days annually, which is three weeks longer than the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.