Why More And More Travelers Are Ditching Moab For Colorado's Underrated Desert Haven

If you're heading to the American Southwest, you've likely got Moab, Utah, on your radar. The city is a popular destination for outdoor adventures, with rafting on the Colorado River, hundreds of miles of biking trails, and spectacular hikes at Arches National Park being a stone's throw from town. However, to many travelers' (and locals') frustration, Moab's popularity has accounted for larger crowds and higher costs for gasoline, food, and accommodation. Back in 2021, Cheaphotels.org reported that Moab was the most expensive summer destination in the state, according to a study using a hotel comparison website. At that time, the cheapest three-star double hotel rooms in Moab averaged over $170 per night.

Moab may be the best-known city in the region, but more and more visitors are playing just across the state line in Colorado. Less than two hours from Moab lies Grand Junction, an underrated, high-desert city where different ecosystems cross and lead to adventure. Like Moab, Grand Junction is situated near the Colorado River and is within a short drive to scenic red rocks and towering spires. The city is also a base to hike, bike, and raft in the Southwest and has been featured as a travel destination by The New York Times in 2023 and again in 2026.

Visitors coming from across the country have several options to reach Grand Junction. Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) is served by Delta, American, United, and Breeze and has connecting flights to select hubs across the United States. Visitors can also hop on I-70 and drive about four hours from Denver, or even take Amtrak's California Zephyr, noted to be one of the most beautiful train routes in North America.

Visitors to Colorado may envision the picturesque scenery of Rocky Mountain National Park, but the landscape is stunning even outside the park's boundaries. The spectacular red rocks of the Southwest and the Colorado Plateau stretch across Western Colorado, setting the scene for a day on the trail. Though it is not as well known as the national parks in the region, the small (32 square miles) but incredibly scenic Colorado National Monument, just outside of Grand Junction, boasts stunning desert scenes by day and starry skies by night, which are accessible by vehicle, bicycle, or on foot. Historic Rim Rock Drive offers incredible views of the monument from the road, as well as access to nearby hiking trails. 

If you're wanting to stretch your legs, pull off at the trailhead for Otto's Trail, leading to views of four rock monuments. Other quick, beautiful hikes are along the Devils Kitchen Trail, leading to towering red formations, or along the Echo Canyon Trail, which offers shade from the scorching desert sun. For a longer canyon hike, opt for the No Thoroughfare Canyon Trail, though note that it is only partially maintained. Entrance passes to Colorado National Monument are $25 per vehicle and $15 for bicyclists or pedestrians.

Grand Junction also has miles of bicycle routes around the city, passing along the Colorado River and climbing above the Grand Valley to local fruit orchards east of town. Mountain bikers will likely want to check out the Lunch Loop trails, which were named for being close enough to town to ride during a lunch break. The network has a mix of trails for riders (and hikers) of all abilities, including a pump track and uphills and downhills, where you can catch air and scenic views. Many trails are open in the winter. 

While the tourist industry is increasingly important to Moab's local economy, in the past few years, overtourism has taken a toll on locals. In 2022, The Times-Independent, a local newspaper, reported that over half of residents surveyed by the Utah Office of Tourism and the University of Utah saw tourism as contributing to a lower quality of life. Grand Junction, however, is noted to be friendly for solo travelers and families, and was featured by BBC as a top family vacation spot in the U.S. in 2025. Kid-friendly activities in and around the city range from exploring prehistoric life at the Dinosaur Journey Museum to cooling off at the Coconut Cove Water Park on a hot summer day. 

Despite having a relatively small population (just shy of 72,000), downtown Grand Junction has plenty of boutiques, spas, and food from around the world. The Goat and Clover Tavern serves up authentic British vibes and food, including fish and chips and savory pies. For a filling morning meal, visit Pufferbelly at the city's historic Union Depot. Past visitors on Google rave about the eatery's giant, made-from-scratch cinnamon rolls and biscuits and gravy. For accommodations, Grand Junction has hotels clustered around the airport and downtown. Based on our own quick search during Labor Day weekend, they are about $50 to $75 per night cheaper, on average, when compared to Moab.