How High Can You Drive Near Grand Junction, Colorado?

The city of Grand Junction sits at an elevation of 4,583 feet. Have you ever wondered just how high you can drive around the Grand Valley?

We got to wondering about this and decided to look for the answer. Keep scrolling to find the highest point in Mesa County you can reach without leaving your car. The answer might surprise you.

Rim Rock Drive & Monument Highlights

Rim Rock Drive connects the Fruita and Grand Junction sides of the Colorado National Monument and reaches a maximum elevation of 6,640 feet. The 23-mile-long road's highest point is nearest to the Highland View Overlook (makes sense). The highest point you can reach on foot is about 7,030 feet along the Monument's Upper Liberty Cap Trail.

Read More: Where Are Colorado's Highest and Lowest Points in Mesa County?

Lands End Observatory: Elevation & Access

No matter how you get to Lands End Observatory on Colorado's Grand Mesa, you'll reach an elevation of about 10,500 feet by the time you arrive. The road to the observatory is only partially paved, but you don't need a high clearance vehicle to travel on Lands End Road during the summer months. The view from the observatory is one of the best in the valley, but there is one more spot you can drive to that is even higher.

Grand Mesa Scenic Byway: Mesa County’s Highest Driveable Road

As you probably guessed, Colorado's Grand Mesa is indeed the highest elevation point you can reach by car in Mesa County. On foot, you can hike to 11,333 feet (Crater Peak, Delta County) or 11,236 feet (Leon Peak, Mesa County). By car, the highest spot on a paved road is found on the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway. This location, just beyond the Crag Crest National Recreation Trail parking area, reaches about 10,849 feet.

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