7 Top Reasons You Need to Visit Palisade, Colorado
Say the word ‘Colorado’ and most people will think of the grand Rocky Mountains, or the great ski areas of Aspen or Vail or the ‘Mile High’ city of Denver. But there is more to this state than those more well known areas. Quieter and more rustic Western Colorado has its own charm and allure. If you like adventure, wine, fresh peaches and natural beauty then you simply must come to Palisade in Western Colorado. From amazing vistas, national parks within driving distance, delicious seasonal fruit, Colorado river fun, and the wine, (oh the wine!), there is so much to enjoy in this small rural town. Don’t miss reading about the top reasons to visit and explore Palisade, Colorado.
1. Fabulous Wines & Wineries
Although a small quaint town of less than 3000 people, Palisade, part of the Grand Valley AVA, is home to 29 wineries along with a brewery and distillery. Excellent Colorado wine is one of the top reasons to visit and explore Palisade. When I first stumbled onto Palisade and its wines, I had no idea how good they would be. I mean, it’s not California. But yes! The wine produced in Palisade is surprisingly very good and getting better every year. The high altitude, sunny days, consistent water from the Colorado river and artesian wells, dry air and cool nights provide for stellar growing conditions for wine grapes.
The excellent grape-growing conditions along with some very talented winemakers makes for some amazing wine that you must try. Although, all of the wineries are worth a visit, here are my top 3 favorites to include when planning your wine route.
1. Restoration Vineyards
Gary & Linda Brauns, owners of Restoration Vineyards, ‘restored’ this once almost dead vineyard back in 2012 and are now crafting some excellent wines all made from grapes grown on the 7 acre vineyard. Our favorites are the Barbera, (a slightly peppery, rich, smooth complex wine) and the Semillon,( a delightful off-dry, fruitful wine perfect for summer) but you must try the Chardonnay (elegant, crisp French-style), Sauvignon Blanc, (crisp, dry, and citrusy) the Merlot, (bold, full-bodied and perfect with a steak) and the wonderful Cabernet Franc (earthy, spicey, rich and smooth).
This is truly a destination with an expansive lawn for enjoying a glass or bottle and taking in the breathtaking views of the Grand Mesa and Bookcliff mountains. And in the summer, enjoy live music every other Saturday. A great place to spend the afternoon.
https://restorationvineyards.com/ , 3594 E 1/2 Rd. Palisade, CO 81526
2. Maison la Belle Vie
You don’t have to go to France to have a wonderful French experience. John Barbier, owner of Maison la Belle Vie, has created a beautiful setting and brought his Loire Valley family winemaking traditions to Palisade, Colorado. John and winemaker, Corey Norsworthy, work to create complex wines in the French tradition. There are over 15 different wines to choose from during the season with dry bold reds such as the Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and the ‘Jack’ Merlot being the standouts. Don’t miss trying John’s specialty dessert wines, the Vin de Peche (a not-too-sweet wine made with muscat and peach leaves) and the outstanding Vin de Noix (a fortified port-style red blend made using green walnuts).
In addition to the wine, Maison also offers food, from charcuterie boards to sandwiches and brunch on Sundays. Relax in the courtyard with a glass of red and enjoy the serenity and views of the Bookcliffs.
http://maisonlabellevie.com/ , 3575 G Road, Palisade
3. Colterris Winery
Colterris, which means ‘from the Colorado land’, is the only winery in Palisade with two tasting rooms, one on North River Road and the second, the Overlook, on E 1/2 Road on East Orchard Mesa. Being in the wine industry for 30+years, Scott & Theresa High, owners of Colterris, wanted to create amazing high quality, ‘world class’ wines that can stand up to any California wine. And they’ve achieved that goal.
From their bold Cabernet and Malbec to the outstanding Coral Rose, they have created some wonderful wines that will definitely please the more discerning wine palettes. And be sure to check out Scott’s huge collection of corkscrews at the Overlook.
https://www.colterris.com/ 3907 North River Road, Palisade
2. World Famous Palisade Peaches
Move over California and Georgia, Palisade, Colorado has the BEST peaches anywhere! These delicious peaches are one of the top reasons to visit and explore Palisade. I’m a California native, born, raised and lived for the vast majority of my life, but I have never tasted a peach as delicious, juicy, sweet and mouth-watering as the peaches from Palisade.
I think the reason they are so good is the sunny skies, the high elevation (4700 feet) allowing for even more sun, diligent farmers taking great care of their orchards and allowing the fruit to tree-ripen making them extra juicy, extra large and extra sweet. You haven’t experienced a true peach until you have one, or many, from Palisade.
From July through September, people come from all over to taste and buy the peaches here. It’s a fairly short season, which increases that desire and demand even more! Don’t miss these peaches! Oh so amazing!
But peaches are not the only fruit in town. Apricots and cherries are also wonderful, fresh, sweet and delicious. But these are only available for an even shorter time, June and July. However, many of the fruit stands make their own jams and preserves, so you can have the wonderful taste of Palisade fruit even after the season ends.
3. Colorado National Monument
Another one of the top reasons to visit and explore Palisade is it’s proximity to the Colorado National Monument. This breathtaking 23,000 acre national park is only a 30 minute drive from Palisade. The ‘Monument’, as the locals call it, is an area of towering rock formations and panoramic canyons, akin to the Grand Canyon, albeit much smaller. The beauty and majesty is worth the short drive. There are two entrances, East and West, creating a scenic driving loop. There are also hiking trails to enjoy or for the really adventurous, take a climb to the top of Liberty Peak.
4. The Grand Mesa
On the East side of Palisade towers the Grand Mesa, the largest flat top mountain in the world. This is a sight and drive not to be missed. The Grand Mesa Scenic Byway starts just 15 miles East of Palisade off Interstate 70. This 63 mile scenic drive takes you through four ecological zones, from desert sandstone canyon to evergreen-rich forests with conifers and aspens, climbing to over 10,000 feet in elevation.
The vistas along the drive are truly stunning and definitely photo-worthy. The drive itself is worth the time, but there are also many, many lakes and trails to explore. And each season has something to offer. Winter has snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and downhill skiing at Powderhorn Ski Resort. In summer, you can hike, camp, fish and mountain bike. You’ll also be rewarded with a beautiful display of wildflowers in late summer. Fall is one of the most gorgeous times for photos as the colors of the changing aspen trees are fabulous.
Visit Land’s End Area off the main byway and pass through more gorgeous scenery on your way to the end of the road. There you will sit atop the 10,000 foot mountain and see from Utah through central Colorado. Breathtaking!
The Grand Mesa in summer.
The Grand Mesa in fall.
The Grand Mesa in winter.
5. The Brewery & Distillery
The fun doesn’t stop when the wineries close. The Palisade Brewing Company and the Peach Street Distillers are both definite stops for locals and visitors. Both places get hopping after 6 or 7pm. Much more than a bar, the Distillery creates wonderful cocktails, from Gin martinis and Bloody Mary’s to the Grappa Sour (my favorite) and Cherry Lemonade all from their own distilled spirits. They are famous for their vodka, but the agave, gin, bourbon and grappa are popular as well. And all of their spirits are made with local fruit and grains right here in Palisade.
The Brewery is not just delicious craft beer, (try the Dirty Hippie wheat ale or the Hula Hoppie for hop lovers), but a gathering place with yummy food and, very often, live music. Try to make it on a Tuesday night for their ‘Taco Tuesday’ but there are food specials daily. We love the tacos and the smoked pulled pork. For non-beer drinkers, like me, they also have good margaritas and a selection of local wines.
6. The Palisade Rim Trail
For amazing views of Palisade from above, along with a great hike, take the Palisade Rim Trail, one more of the top reasons to visit and explore Palisade. The Rim trail is a 3.3 mile loop trail that will take you up and around the southern rim above Palisade. It’s a moderate hike, (or if you prefer you can also use your mountain bike) and it does have some fairly steep drop offs to watch for. However, it is a great hike that doesn’t take more than an hour and will reward you with spectacular views of the valley and the fruit and wine country along with the impressive Mt Garfield. Be sure to look for the petroglyphs drawn into the red rocks on the upper part of the loop.
We’ve found the best time to go is morning, both for less traffic and less heat. If you go in the summer, bring water! It can get hot and dry on the top. And one of the cool things about this trail is the ability to bring your dogs. So pack your water, good shoes and your pup and head to the Palisade Rim Trail. It’ll be a great way to start your day before heading to all those wineries.
7. A Few Extra Places to Go
If you can stay longer in Palisade, it can make for a great jumping off point for even more amazing places to go. Here is a quick list of some of our favorite places within 2 hours of Palisade that can make for great day trips while you visit and explore Palisade.
1. Moab and Arches National Park
Palisade is only 48 miles from the border of Utah. This close proximity makes it an easy place to reach the gorgeous red rock National Parks of Utah, including Moab and Arches National Park. Arches is only an hour and 30 minutes from Palisade heading west on I 70. It is so worth the drive to see and experience this absolutely stunning park.
Arches is a “landscape of contrasting colors, land forms and textures unlike any other in the world. The park has over 2,000 natural stone arches, in addition to hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive fins and giant balanced rocks.” There is a driving tour and plenty of spots to stop and snap some great photos. There are also hiking trails throughout the park of varying distances.
2. Hanging Lake Trail
Another absolutely amazing hike to do while you visit and explore Palisade is Hanging Lake Trail. 1 1/2 hours east on I 70, 7 miles past Glenwood Springs is Hanging Lake Trail, an absolute must-do for the sheer beauty and fantasy-like views of this magical lake. The hike is fairly steep with some tricky, ledge parts, but there are handrails (thankfully!) on the most troublesome spots. But the reward is so worth the effort!
The scenery and views along the trail are amazing, and the final prize, the lake itself, is absolutely stunning. It feels like you are in a mystical land, rather than Western Colorado. Go in the early summer after the snow melt so there is plenty of water. Or try the fall to see the colors contrasting with the blue-green of the water. Don’t miss this if you are visiting Western Colorado.
3. Rifle Falls
One last top reason to visit and explore Palisade is Rifle Falls State Park; a 1 hour drive up I 70. It is a beautiful place with lush greenery and trees and the highlight, a triple waterfall. There is also camping sites and a picnic area so you can spend the whole day, or night, and enjoy the natural beauty.
There are limestone caves to explore as well and a trail to reach the top, and behind, the falls which is very cool. Summers are very busy here, so plan accordingly, especially for parking which can fill up quickly. There is a fee to enter and use the park, but it’s not expensive. So pack a lunch, and bring the doggies, for a lovely day by the falls.
I hope you got a taste for the wonderful things to see and do in Palisade. For such a small, quiet rural town, it is packed with fun, interesting and delicious reasons to visit and explore. From wine and peaches to gorgeous natural beauty and adventurous hiking, there are so many reasons to visit and explore Western Colorado and especially Palisade. Here’s to some great adventures.
If you enjoyed reading and found some tips on what to do, let me know by leaving a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts or even your own tips on places to go. Till next time, keep making your someday, today and go enjoy life!
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