Grand Valley Trails
(GVT)
Nick Patrick / Yeti Nest Films
World-renowned Mountain Biking Trails
The Grand Valley Trails chapter is home to world-renowned mountain biking trails in Palisade, Grand Junction, Fruita, Loma, Mack and the Grand Mesa, with year-round riding. Our diverse and expansive trails offer amazing singletrack from the desert floor to steep and technical descents that start above 10,000’. Whether you're a seasoned mountain biker or just getting started, there’s something for everyone to ride in the Grand Valley.
Trail Systems | News & More | Maps | Events | Programs & Projects | History
Committee Members
Don Potter, Co-Chair
Anne Spalding
Craig Owens
Dean Bressler
Erin Walter
Jody Winkler
Joe Benson
Jonah Howe
Katie Catanzarite
Matt Morisseau
Michael Classen
Mike Gormley
Rick Walker
Sam Parker
Steve Goodnight
Chapter Contact: grandvalley@copmoba.org
Social Media: Keep up with the chapter by following Grand Valley Trails on Facebook.
Photo by Joey Early
Programs & Projects
Grand Valley Trails has a variety of projects in the works and future programs planned. Find information on all of our major programs and events below.
NAME THAT TRAIL - NORTH FRUITA DESERT
We received hundreds of name suggestions for the new trails at the North Fruita Desert (18 Road Map). North Fruita Desert Final Names
Thank you again for all of your submissions and votes!
CHAPTER EVENTS
Here’s a listing of upcoming GVT chapter events. To see everything we’ve got planned, CLICK HERE for our event calendar with events from all four of COPMOBA’s chapters.
Featured
Grand valley Trail Systems
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Seasonal closure from December 1 through May 1 annually.
The Palisade Plunge connects the top of the Grand Mesa (10,700′) to the Town of Palisade, CO, (4,700′) and offers 32 miles of singletrack. This challenging trail offers a steep and technical ride, with a mix of rocky sections, tight turns, and fast flowy sections. For those that take “the plunge” the trail provides an unforgettable experience, with stunning views of the surrounding vineyards, orchards, and the Colorado River. The trail is a must-ride for any advanced mountain biker visiting Western Colorado.
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The Lunch Loop trail network is a popular mountain biking destination adjacent to downtown Grand Junction. Originally named for the minimal trail array often used for lunchtime rides, the system has grown substantially over the years. These trails offer a variety of fun and scenic routes from fast singletrack to rocky and technical descents and climbs. The network is known for its rowdy and challenging nature, but is also home to multiple kid and family friendly routes. With stunning views of the Grand Valley and easy access, the Lunch Loops are a must-visit spot for any mountain biker in the area.
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The Kokopelli trails are a network of scenic, world-renowned mountain biking trails above the Colorado River that span over 140 miles just outside of Fruita, in Loma, Colorado. From intermediate to expert-level riders, the Kokopelli trails provide a diverse range of terrain and difficulty, making it a top destination for mountain bikers from around the world. For beginner riders, consider starting on Rustlers before working your way to Mary’s, Steve’s and Wrangler. For intermediate to advanced riders, be sure to explore the Horsethief Loop trail, Hawkeye, Mack Ridge, and Troy Built. If you are feeling extra spicy, check out the double black rated trail Moore Fun.
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Seasonal closure for the Sarlacc Trail, Edge Loop, Skywalker, Cicada, Cloud City, Sarlector, and Lane Mine is December 1 through May 1 annually.
The 18 Road trail system is a popular mountain biking destination located outside of Fruita, Colorado. It consists of a network of singletrack trails that traverse the rugged and picturesque terrain of the Colorado Plateau and the Bookcliff formation.The trails range in difficulty from beginner-friendly to challenging, and offer a variety of riding experiences for mountain bikers of all skill levels. This is a great spot for first timers and families and offers plentiful camping options.
Some of the most popular trails in the 18 Road trail system include Joe’s Ridge, Kessel Run (great for kids), PBR, and Zippity (recommended for advanced riders). Whether you're looking for a quality ride or a leisurely spin through beautiful scenery, the 18 Road trail system is a must-visit destination for mountain bikers in the Fruita area. *E-bike friendly.
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Third Flats is referred to by most locals as the upper section of the Lunch Loops. With excellent views of the Grand Valley, and fewer crowds, this area provides additional singletrack options for intermediate and advanced riders, and is a mixture of motorized and non-motorized accessible trails.
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The Palisade Rim Trail is a popular hiking and mountain biking trail located East of Palisade, Colorado. This trail offers elevated views of the surrounding vineyards, orchards, and the Grand Valley, as well as the nearby Grand Mesa and the Colorado River.
The Palisade Rim Trail has two stacked loops, with a total mileage of approximately 12 miles and takes visitors through a variety of landscapes, from rolling hills to steep, rocky canyons. The trail follows the rim of the Grand Valley and provides panoramic views of the valley below and also connects with the newly constructed Palisade Plunge trail.
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Rabbit Valley takes you closer to the Utah state border and is a popular off-roading destination that offers year round camping. Zion Curtain and the Western Rim trail are two intermediate mountain bike trail options in the area with incredible scenery and it should be noted that they are also open to motorized use. *E-bike friendly.
Map PDF (coming soon)
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The Turkey Flats trail network offers an excellent reprieve from the summer heat. Located near Glade Park, Colorado the high elevation trail is a relatively short drive away from the more popular trails of the Grand Valley. Several singletrack loop options exist that meander through Aspen glades and forested terrain.
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Referred to by locals as the Gunnison Bluffs, the emerging trail system has a deep history and is part of the Old Spanish Trail system (a historic trade route that connected Sante Fe, New Mexico with Los Angeles, California). With improved accessibility from Grand Junction, this trail system is a mixture of single and doubletrack and is most suitable for beginner and intermediate riders.
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The Tabeguache Trail is a historic route connecting Grand Junction and Montrose. It comprises several motorized and non-motorized sections and all of them, with the exception of the section within the Lunch Loops, are motorized 4x4 trail/road. Combined, the sections create one third of the Grand Loop bikepacking adventure route (Kokopelli, Paradox, Tabeguache) and is a compelling bikepacking route in western Colorado.
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The towering Grand Mesa defines the eastern boundary of the Grand Valley and includes miles of trail at 9000’ - 11,000’ elevations which draw riders, hikers, and campers to the cooler elevations during summer months. Less utilized than most valley trails, routes such as Mesa Top, Flowing Park, Crane Lake, Indian Point, Spring Camp, Kannah Creek, Deep Creek, Rim View, and others provide a network in which to enjoy profound views of the region, mixed Aspen and Pine forests, and broad open meadows and wildlife. Connectivity is enhanced by the addition of the Palisade Plunge, creating singletrack loop options abound. Family friendly trail networks at County Line and Skyway, along with utilization of Forest roads creates many options for beginner skill level outings and gravel grinder outings in gorgeous country on lightly traveled routes. The Grand Mesa may be accessed via the Colorado Scenic Byway US Hwy 65, or via the scenic dirt 2WD accessible Lands End Road from US Hwy 50 between Grand Junction and Delta, Colorado.
Map PDF (coming soon)
Chapter Blogs/News
grand valley trails History & Vision
The Grand Valley Canyons (GVT) chapter draws directly from the beginnings of the COPMOBA organization. The origin story of COPMOBA is tied to the establishment of the Kokopelli Trail in 1989, connecting the Grand Valley in Loma, CO to Moab, UT. Ongoing trail development activities in the 1990’s focused primarily on the nascent Kokopelli Loops network, the Lunch Loop network, and the burgeoning 18 Road Trails network in the North Fruita Desert area.
The 90’s included challenging efforts to engage informal trail development with formal focused efforts associated with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on the part of COPMOBA. The 18 Road Trail system became the poster child of these challenges, which ultimately has evolved into a treasured regional trail system with worldwide visibility. Thoughtful and consistent work by committed volunteers and community partners has served to develop this and many other areas into the diverse singletrack region that riders enjoy today. Pearls such as Horsethief Bench, Rustlers Loop, Joe’s Ridge, Troy Built, Mary’s Loop, Palisade Rim, Free Lunch, Kids Meal, Mesa Top, and many others draw residents and visitors into our natural environments daily. The GVT chapter's vision to develop multiple trail networks, with diverse ride character and terrain types was also melded with efforts to provide a diversity of ride experience. Accomplishments across decades such as the creation of Rustlers Loop - the first intentionally developed signed skill-building trail on public lands, or Free Lunch - the first Freeride trail planned and created on public lands, and the creation of the Palisade Plunge Trail - an audacious multi-partner back-country route connecting diverse regions, represent just some of the groundbreaking trails created by the GVT chapter within the broader structure of COPMOBA.
The GVT Chapter is the largest chapter of COPMOBA, and has worked to share and spread the hard-earned skills and experience working with public land management agencies and community partners with all COPMOBA chapters and members to further trail development and maintenance throughout the region.
Photo by Joey Early
Community Partners
COPMOBA's business partners play an important role in supporting our mission, and we are so grateful for their support. Our partnerships include:
Social media and promotions
Volunteer trail work days
Funding for operations and specific projects
In-kind donations
Co-hosted events
To explore partnership opportunities and the prospect of supporting our western slope trails, please reach out to trails@copmoba.org. Thank you for your support!
Follow @copmoba_gvT ON INSTAGRAM
