Best Things to do on a Road Trip from Berkeley, California and Grand Junction, Colorado
An epic road trip from Berkeley, California to Grand Junction, Colorado is every adventure seeker's dream. The roughly 1200-mile journey takes about 18 hours, making it a great weekend road trip as you can enjoy the scenic views along the way.
The first highlight of the trip is Elko, NV, a beautiful city marking the halfway point of the trip. Elko is situated in the vast Great Basin Desert and is known for its unique history, stunning natural landscapes, and wild west heritage. Visitors can explore the city's museums, scenic trails, and experience the city's vibrant cowtown culture.
Top Five Things to Do
1. Hiking in Arches National Park
Arches National Park is a beautiful wonderland that boasts over 2000 natural sandstone arches. This park offers a wide range of trails with varying difficulty levels that allow visitors to explore the red rocks, hiking through the park's canyons, and get an excellent view of Balanced Rock. The park's hiking trails offer stunning views of the park's most popular formations, including the salty arch, The Windows, and the delicate arch, which is Utah's most photographed natural landmark.
Interesting fact: Delicate Arch, in Arches National Park, is featured on the Utah state license plate.
2. Visit Ghost Town of Jerome, Arizona
Jerome, Arizona, is like no other place you have ever visited. The city sits atop a hill overlooking the Verde Valley with winding streets, historic sites, and eclectic shops. The town's mining history means it's full of ghosts, as some reports indicate around 900 people died within Jerome over the years. There are many tales of strange sightings of ghosts in the city's buildings, and people come from all over to tour the haunted sites.
Interesting fact: Jerome was once known as the ''Wickederest Town in the West'' and is a National Historic Landmark.
3. Rafting on Colorado River
The renowned Colorado River boasts some of the best rafting routes in the U.S., and visitors can't resist the temptation to hit the rapids. The Colorado River allows for an unforgettable river rafting experience that will take visitors through the heart of the Grand Canyon. The route offers unbeatable views of majestic scenery and wildlife.
Interesting fact: The Colorado River's 277-mile stretch within Grand Canyon National Park includes some of the wildest, most remote, and most technically challenging white water in the United States.
4 Visit the San Juan National Forest
The San Juan National Forest, located in southern Colorado, boasts more than 2.8 million acres of public land surrounded by stunning mountain landscapes. The forest has over 450 miles of streams, eight wilderness areas, and many lakes. Visitors can try fishing in the San Juan River, hike, cross country ski, enjoy the scenic drives, rafting, and take the million-dollar highway road trip that offers scenic vistas of fall foliage.
Interesting fact: The San Juan National Forest is home to over 100 species of birds and considered a ''first-class birding area''.
5. Explore Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a massive freshwater lake that has an average depth of 1645 feet. Surrounded by majestic mounds of mountains and sprawling forests, the lake is a true natural wonder. Visitors can enjoy paddleboarding, fishing, kayaking, skiing, and snowboarding in the winter.
Interesting fact: The water at Lake Tahoe is so clear that people can see 70 feet down into the lake.
Conclusion
The road trip from Berkeley, California to Grand Junction, Colorado offers travelers plenty of opportunities to create unforgettable memories. The itinerary is an excellent guide for the top five must-do activities, yet, it is barely scratching the surface of what the route has to offer. With a travel time of around 18 hours, visitors will have enough time to savor both the sights and sounds along the way.