Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area
Dominguez-Escalante NCA
A red rock wilderness in the Gunnison River canyon. The Big Dominguez Canyon trail offers ancient rock art, seasonal waterfalls and sandstone cliffs.
The conservation area extends along the Gunnison River. The most popular spot is Dominguez Canyon. From the Bridgeport trailhead, you cross the river by a bridge and hike along the canyon, where you can see ancient Native rock art, seasonal waterfalls and sandstone cliffs. Bighorn sheep are often seen. Hikes range from 5 to 10 km one way, so you can make a day trip or camp overnight. This stretch of the Gunnison River is also suitable for kayaking and rafting. It is about 40 minutes' drive southeast of Grand Junction. The last section is a gravel road, which a regular car can drive in dry weather.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Unaweep Canyon (Unaweep-Tabeguache Byway)
- Palisade Wine Country
- Cross Orchards Historic Site
- Mount Garfield
- Museum of the West
- Downtown Grand Junction (Main Street)
- Powderhorn Mountain Resort
- Colorado Riverfront Trail