How Grand Junction tours differ
Most tours here visit the Monument, Palisade wine country or farther places such as the Grand Mesa, Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Moab. They differ in length, group size, pickup and what the price covers. A tour is useful when you want someone else to drive the 23-mile Rim Rock Drive, which has 3 tunnels, or when you plan to taste wine.
Ask three things before you book: where the tour starts, how long it runs, and whether the park entry fee is included. The Monument charges its own entry fee, and a tour price does not always cover it.
Our picks: tours around Grand Junction
Pick the downtown walk or the scavenger hunt for a short, cheap evening and the off-road rides for the desert view. The horseback ride is the slow option, and the Moab day is for those who accept a two-hour drive first.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and 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.
Canyonlands and Arches full-day 4x4 tour
- Canyonlands and Arches
- Air-conditioned 4x4 and guide
- Lunch and cold drinks
A nine-hour guided day in an air-conditioned 4x4 that covers both parks, with lunch and cold drinks. National park fees are extra, and the tour starts in Moab, about two hours from Grand Junction.
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Sunset UTV tour toward the Monument
- Licensed guide
- Helmets
- Damage waiver
A two-hour guided evening ride with views toward Colorado National Monument, in an off-road vehicle for at least two people. Ask before booking whether any park entry is part of it.
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Night sky UTV tour with stargazing
- Guide and off-road vehicle
- Helmets, water and ice
- Damage waiver
A two-hour guided ride in an off-road vehicle, with helmets, water and ice and a damage waiver included. Two people share each vehicle, and a card hold of $1,500 per vehicle applies at the start. It is a night drive in the Grand Valley area, not a tour of the National Monument.
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Wild horse country ride in the Bookcliffs
- Horse and riding gear
- Professional wrangler
- Wildlife viewing
A three-hour guided ride with horse, riding gear and a wrangler, with a chance to watch wildlife. Start and finish are at the trailhead, and the supplier contacts you with the details before your date.
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Downtown ghost stories walk
- Professional guide
- Historic ghost stories
- One-hour walk
A one-hour evening-style walk through the old downtown with a professional guide and tales from the town's past. It is on foot, so no transport is needed.
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Downtown scavenger hunt with a remote guide
- Live guide by phone
- Digital hunt sheet
- Leaderboard
A two-hour self-paced hunt around Grand Junction on a digital worksheet, with a live guide on call and a leaderboard. It suits families and groups who like a game more than a lecture.
Check availability →Grand Junction and Colorado National Monument tours
Guided Monument trips, wine country and day tours, with live prices and availability.
Where tours go from Grand Junction
Distances from the city, so you can judge a day trip.
| Destination | Distance and time | Entry for your own car (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado National Monument | Near the city, 23-mile road | $25 per vehicle |
| Palisade wine country | In the Grand Valley | Check locally |
| Grand Mesa Scenic Byway | 63 miles, about 2 hours | No fee for the road |
| Black Canyon of the Gunnison (South Rim) | 75 miles to the South Rim (2–3 hours by car between the two rims) | $30 per vehicle |
| Moab, Utah | 115 miles, about 1 hour 45 minutes | Arches: $30 per vehicle |
| Ouray | 98 miles, about 2 hours | Check locally |
For most visitors with one free day, the Monument is the simplest choice. Choose Moab or Black Canyon only if you accept a long day in the car or on the road.
The tour types in detail
What to expect from each.
Colorado National Monument
Rim Rock Drive links the east and west entrances and gives you viewpoints over the canyons. The park is open 24 hours a day, but weather and rockfall can close sections of the road. Dogs are not allowed on trails.
Monument guide →Wine country
Palisade lies in the Grand Valley wine area. Tasting hours, prices and age checks differ by business, so confirm them. A common plan is to take the train to Grand Junction and arrange organized transport. Drivers should not drink.
Palisade wine country →Grand Mesa
The byway is 63 miles, about 2 hours, and the Lands End branch adds about 30 minutes. In winter, trails there are for Nordic skiing and navigation can be hard in a whiteout.
Grand Mesa guide →Hiking with a guide
Water matters most: plan about 1 gallon (3.8 l) per person per day and an early start in summer.
Hiking in the Monument →Black Canyon and Moab
Both are long days. Arches needs no timed-entry reservation for general entry in 2026, but camping and Fiery Furnace walks do.
Day trips →Grand Junction tours: questions
Is the Monument entry fee included in a tour?
That depends on the tour. A private car pays $25 for 7 days, and commercial tour vehicles pay by vehicle category. Check what your booking lists.
How long should I plan for Rim Rock Drive?
At least 1 hour for the drive itself, more with stops and a short hike.
Is a tour better than driving myself?
If you want to taste wine, or prefer not to drive the tunnels and curves, yes. Otherwise a self-drive day is simple and cheaper for a family.
When is the best season for tours?
Spring and autumn are milder in the valley. July highs average 34.7 °C (94.5 °F). See the weather page.
Can I bring my dog on a Monument tour?
Pets are allowed only in developed areas and on paved roads, on a leash of 6 feet or less, and never left alone in a car.