The Grand Junction area, consisting of GJ, Fruita and Palisade, is a rising star of Colorado and the West. Known as Colorado’s wine country and world famous peach producer, Palisade is our agricultural center. Fruita is known nationwide as one of the mountain biking capitols with over 220 miles of trail to ride. Grand Junction is the main city and home to several breweries, riverside parks, ziplining, shopping, glamping, a botanical garden, museums, and more. Our nearby flat top mountain, the Grand Mesa, stands at 10,000ft and offers an alpine vibe and endless adventure. The Grand Junction area is also known for the Colorado National Monument, a red rock canyon park regarded as the “Heart of the World.”
But what is the best time of year to elope in Grand Junction? That depends what you’re looking for! Here I will cover each month’s highlights to acquaint you with our area so you can better understand what to expect and plan the best time of year for your elopement plans.
The Best Time of Year to Elope in Grand Junction
January
January in the Grand Junction area is typically the middle of winter – which isn’t a bad thing! White snow draped on the red rocks of the monument is a stunning backdrop not everyone sees. In warmer winters, the Grand Valley won’t have any snow in January, while harsher winters can see a few inches especially lingering in shady places or higher altitudes. Nearby on the Grand Mesa, it is prime ski season from downhill skiing at Powderhorn Mountain Resort, to Nordic skiing on the flat top of the mountain. You could catch a snow dog race or full moon bonfire, snowmobile, or sled. It’s a totally different world in Grand Junction in the winter!
Average Temps in January: 39° High/ 18° Low in GJ — 29° High/2° Low on the Mesa
Festivals in January: There are no festivals of note in January.
Best Backdrops in January: Grand Mesa for snow or the Colorado National Monument for snow or general red rocks
February
February in the Grand Junction area is the tail end of winter, usually. It could be a warm 50-60 degrees, or a cold 30-40. The spring in the valley is windy, something to keep in mind when planning your visit. There is typically still great skiing and snow sports on the Grand Mesa, while the Grand Valley is beginning to be peak desert season before the extreme heat of summer comes in. It’s a bit of an off-season all around though.
Average Temps in February: 46° High/ 24° Low in GJ — 31° High/4° Low on the Mesa
Festivals in February: No festivals of note.
Best Backdrops in February: Grand Mesa for snow or Colorado National Monument for snow or general red rocks
March
The Grand Junction area begins to welcome spring in March, typically, with winds bringing in warmer temperatures and occasional storms. The valley itself rarely sees snow in March, with some exceptions, while there is usually still lasting snow on the Grand Mesa. The snowpack on the Mesa does begin to melt in March and April. With warmer temperatures more of the area opens up for adventure. BLM areas and the Monument are popular destinations this time of year.
Average Temps in March: 57° High/ 33° Low in GJ — 39° High/9° Low on the Mesa
Festivals in March: Maverick Classic Beer Festival: Watch the Colorado Mesa University Cycling Team compete and enjoy a number of breweries and food trucks from Colorado’s western slope for an afternoon full of fun!
Best Backdrops in March: Grand Mesa for snow, BLM and Colorado National Monument for desert backdrops.
April
April is fully spring in the Grand Junction area. Palisade’s orchards begin to bloom and blossom in April (usually in the middle to end of the month depending on the fruit!) which is a beautiful backdrop for photos. More of the festivals start back up, from those mentioned below to First Friday Art Walks and other monthly events. It is absolutely gorgeous in the high desert of the Monument and surrounding BLM areas. It is best to avoid planning anything on the Grand Mesa in April; while it may still be snowy, it is just as likely to be a muddy mess.
Average Temps in April: 66° High/ 40° Low in GJ — 45° High/17° Low on the Mesa
Festivals in April: Grand Junction Restaurant Week, Barrel into Spring, Palisade Bluegrass Bash
Best Backdrops in April: Colorado National Monument/BLM areas, blossoms in Palisade
May
The Grand Valley in May is one of the best times of the year. It’s warm, but not too hot, a lot of the spring winds have died down, and the town is bustling with activity. The only place to avoid this month is the Grand Mesa, as it’s still mud season at that elevation, but the rest of the area is completely beautiful. The vineyards are green again and the desert is still bearable before the summer heat comes.
Average Temps in May: 76° High/ 48° Low in GJ — 53° High/26° Low on the Mesa
Festivals in May: Fruita Fat Tire Festival, Mike the Headless Chicken Festival, Barrel into Spring, GJ Rides & Vibes
Best Backdrops in May: Vineyards and Orchards of Palisade, Desert of the Monument/BLM lands
June
June in the Grand Junction area is beginning to heat up as the summer creeps in. Some days may be over 90 degrees on a regular basis. To avoid the blazing temperatures, consider sunrise or sunset if you’re in the desert or vineyard areas. The Grand Mesa is still hit-or-miss as to muddy conditions, with places like Vega and Powderhorn drying out the earliest. The farmer’s markets are usually all in full swing and there are a number of big festivals bringing crowds to the area.
Average Temps in June: 88° High/ 58° Low in GJ — 63° High/35° Low on the Mesa
Festivals in June: Country Jam, Colorado Lavender Festival, Palisade Bluegrass & Roots Festival
Best Backdrops in June: Vineyards, Desert or the Grand Mesa in late June
July
July is the hottest month of the year in the Grand Junction area, with high temperatures rarely falling below 90 degrees. Sunrise and sunset plans are a must to escape the desert heat waves. Luckily it is also wildflower season on the Grand Mesa, and the best time to escape the heat up at 10,000 feet! Highs on the Mesa usually run 20 degrees cooler than the valley below, and with pine trees, aspen trees, and over 300 lakes, it is truly the perfect summer oasis.
Average Temps in July: 93° High/ 64° Low in GJ — 68° High/41° Low on the Mesa
Festivals in July: No major festivals in July
Best Backdrops in July: Grand Mesa
August
Another scorcher of a month in the Grand Junction area is August. While the end of August is beginning to cool off, early August is still commonly upper 90’s and triple digits like July. The Grand Mesa is the most popular place to elope in the area during these summer months. Early August will usually still see a plethora of wildflower fields too! If you are planning on eloping in the desert of the valley, prepare to go at sunrise or sunset.
Average Temps in August: 90° High/ 62° Low in GJ — 65° High/40° Low on the Mesa
Festivals in August: No major festivals in July
Best Backdrops in August: Grand Mesa
September
Fall colors begin to turn in September on the Grand Mesa! Mid- to late-September is usually the peak of the colors, with “Color Weekend” always being the last weekend of the month. The aspen groves glow orange and yellow – a sight you definitely shouldn’t miss. Down in the valley, the temperatures are cooling off again, with the desert a bit more bearable.
Average Temps in Sept: 81° High/ 53° Low in GJ — 59° High/33° Low on the Mesa
Festivals in Sept: Colorado WineFest, Colorado West Pride, Fruita Fall Fest
Best Backdrops in Sept: Grand Mesa fall colors
October
In October around the Grand Junction area the fall colors begin to come to the valley as they fade on the Mesa. If you’re looking for fall colors in October look to parks by the river. The desert is another amazing place to elope in the Grand Junction area in October as the temperatures are beginning to be back to prime desert time. The crowds in the Colorado National Monument are fewer and you can explore the area without the scorching heat of midday. The vineyards also usually turn fall colors this time of year.
Average Temps in October: 67° High/ 41° Low in GJ — 48° High/24° Low on the Mesa
Festivals in October: Cedaredge Apple Fest
Best Backdrops in October: Riverside parks for fall colors, Colorado National Monument/BLM for desert backdrops
November
November is probably my favorite time in the valley. The temperatures are mild (“All you need is a light jacket!”) and the adventures are many. Explore by the river, out in the desert, on the Monument, in canyons, and more. By November the Grand Mesa is usually getting snowy, but not enough that you should count on it for certain.
Average Temps in November: 52° High/ 29° Low in GJ — 36° High/11° Low on the Mesa
Festivals in November: Western CO Native American Market Days, Small Business Saturday
Best Backdrops in November: Colorado National Monument/BLM lands
December
December welcomes in the holiday spirit to the Grand Junction area, with the annual Parade of Lights in each of our little towns. The towns also have many local shopping days this month with markets and an appearance from the Clauses if you’re lucky. The Grand Mesa is often opening for snow sports and you can explore the desert easily before your dinner plans!
Average Temps in December: 40° High/ 20° Low in GJ — 28° High/3° Low on the Mesa
Festivals in December: Parade of Lights
Best Backdrops in December: Colorado National Monument/BLM lands or the Grand Mesa for snow
Hopefully this monthly guide helped you get a better understanding of our valley in the Grand Junction area! If you are curious about locations and the process, I love to help couples just like you plan their perfect day and get married their way. Click here for more elopement process info or click here to contact me and get the ball rolling!
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