Originally Posted by
beachmouse
In the western part of the state, the Grand Junction/Colorado National Monument area has a lot of cool red rock and a lot fewer tourists than Moab and the surprisingly under marketed Black Canyon of the Gunnison is well worth a detour on the way to Durango
I stayed at the Hampton Inn in Rifle, CO during a roadtrip in July. While the property itself and location were fine, the area seemed well worthwhile of several days. I swam in the Rifle reservoir, and the scenery there was simply amazing. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time to explore the falls.