Palisade, Colorado at a glance
Palisade lies in the Grand Valley, a short drive from Grand Junction. Orchards, vineyards and pale desert cliffs share the same small valley. Most visitors come for peaches in summer, for wine, or for a short but steep hike up Mount Garfield.
This page covers the town, the fruit and the trail. Tasting rooms and the byway routes have their own page: see Palisade wine tours. For a longer loop that adds the national monument, use our things to do list.
Palisade peaches: when the fruit is ready
The calendar changes by variety, orchard and weather.
Early varieties
Late June or early July, depending on the year.
Main season
Mid-July through August. This is the period most visitors plan around.
Late varieties
September, and in some years into early October.
Individual orchards give narrower windows. One sells mainly from late July to early September. Another typically sells from early July to mid or late September. Treat these as ranges, not promises for a given date. A calendar does not guarantee ripe fruit on the day you arrive, so check with the stand before you drive out.
The Peach Festival took place on 21 and 22 August 2026. Check the festival dates for 2027 before you plan a trip around it.
Our pick: Bookcliffs horseback ride
A guided ride that starts at a trailhead east of Palisade, for a slower look at the country around the valley.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Palisade and Grand Valley tours
Wine days, scenic drives and valley outings that include Palisade, with live prices and availability.
Mount Garfield trail
Short on distance, not an easy stroll.
The Mount Garfield trail runs 1¾ miles. It climbs through a range from 4,841 to 6,746 feet, which is a difference of 1,905 feet. That is a steady climb, not a flat walk. A longer featured route of 3.4 miles is a different outing, so do not mix the two numbers.
Hikers and dogs are welcome. Bicycles are not allowed. Bring water, as you would for any desert trail, and see the hiking page for more routes around Grand Junction.
How to plan a day in Palisade
Three ways to fill it.
Fruit and a viewpoint
Stop at fruit stands in season, then walk part of the Mount Garfield trail while it is still cool.
Wine afternoon
Pair the town with a few tasting rooms. Book a driver or organized transport, because the driver should not drink. Details are on the wine page.
Bike loop
The Fruit and Wine Byway offers loops of 5, 7 and 25 miles. The longest has hills.
For a bigger trip that uses Palisade as one stop, see the Colorado road trip ideas. The surrounding hills and mesas also appear on the Grand Mesa page.
Practical notes for Palisade
What to know before you drive out.
Palisade is a town in the Grand Valley, not a national park and not a single attraction. Plan time for the fruit, the views and the wine, and know that each of these depends on the business. Each stand sets its own prices and hours. Whether you may pick your own fruit depends on the orchard, so ask on the spot. Valley summers are hot, so bring water and sun protection. More places nearby are on the tours page.
Palisade, Colorado: frequently asked questions
When is peach season in Palisade?
Early varieties appear in late June or early July, the main season runs mid-July through August, and late varieties come in September and sometimes early October. Orchards give their own windows, so ask the stand.
Is the Peach Festival held every year?
The 2026 festival ran on 21 and 22 August. Check the dates for 2027 before you book travel around it.
How hard is the Mount Garfield trail?
It is 1¾ miles long, with an elevation range of 1,905 feet between 4,841 and 6,746 feet. Expect a climb. Bicycles are not allowed.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are allowed on the Mount Garfield trail.
Can I combine Palisade with wine tasting?
Yes. Plan transport first, since the driver should not drink. Our wine page explains the byway routes and the tasting day.