Grand Mesa is 22 miles east of Grand Junction in west-central Colorado. The byway follows CO 65 and Lands End Road (FSR 100). Travelers can access the byway from I-70 at Exit 49 or in the town of Cedaredge. Colorado Highway 65 is a two-lane paved road that is suitable for all vehicles. Lands End Road is a maintained gravel road that is closed in winter. Although most passenger cars and RVs can complete this portion of the byway, it is best to inquire locally about current road conditions. Colorado Highway 65 is usually open year-round.
From the exit off I-70, you begin in the canyon of Plateau Creek with sandstone walls rising 400 to 1,000 feet above the highway. The road continues climbing from the town of Mesa to an elevation of around 11,000 feet. It is here that you’ve reached the top of Grand Mesa, the world’s largest flat-top mountain. The panoramic view from the top is simply astounding. In a short drive you’ve traveled from the pinyon-juniper desert canyon to a cool, evergreen forest.
Over 300 stream-fed lakes teaming with rainbow, brook, and cutthroat trout are scattered across the Mesa. Several national forest campgrounds offer the perfect spot for pitching a tent or settling in your RV. Among the facilities are picnic tables, drinking water, fire rings, and pit toilets. There are no hookups or dump stations. During winter, the area becomes a haven for cross-country and downhill skiing as well as snowmobiling. Hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, and horseback riding are enjoyed in warmer months.
Pioneer Town in Cedaredge offers travelers the chance to turn back the clock. Authentic stores and the Cedaredge Town Jail, along with period clothes and memorabilia from the past 100 years, create a realistic old-west atmosphere.