Rows of grapes growing in Palisade Colorado, and behind the Grand Mesa cliffs.
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Palisade Colorado 3-Day Itinerary

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Let us help you plan a perfect visit using our 3-day Palisade Colorado itinerary packed with activity ideas.

Palisade, Colorado, is one of our favorite in-state destinations from our base in Summit County.

Nestled between the stunning cliffs of Grand Mesa and near to Colorado National Monument, Palisade is renowned for its juicy stone fruits—especially peaches and cherries—and increasingly its wine scene and outdoor activities.

To help you plan your perfect getaway, we’ve created an exciting 3-day itinerary that showcases the best of Palisade.

From wine tastings and farm tours to hiking and dining, we also included recommendations on places to stay and where to eat based on our visits.

Palisade Colorado Activites & Attractions

At 4,728 feet, Palisade sits at the foot of the iconic Mount Garfield (7,740 feet). It’s a sunny spot with a climate that supports vineyards and fruit orchards and benefits from the Grand Mesa shelter and the Colorado River waters.

Imagine a few days where you pick fresh peaches in local orchards one morning. Next, you hike high mesas around town, then kick back at a winery tasting room or brewery for an afternoon. Maybe you squeeze in a float on the Colorado River.  

View of Palisade Colorado Grand Mesa with sunflowers and berries growing in a field below.

Perhaps take a drive along the rim of the stunning Colorado Monument or ski nearby if you visit in the winter months.

We have also split our favorite Palisade activities and experiences into 3 Days to give you a more detailed itinerary framework to build your ideal trip. If you prefer a longer adventure, check out our Denver to Crested Butte Road Trip with a stopover in Palisade.

We hope it is easy to move things around from this baseline to suit your interests, time available, and budget.

Day 1 – Palisade Colorado Itinerary

On your first day, we suggest exploring the small but picturesque historic downtown. Next, visit a few wineries and end your afternoon at Riverbend Park before a relaxing dinner.

Morning – Historic Downtown

An information board showing history of Palisade for visitors to read.

Free. Pick up a self-guided leaflet at kiosks around town.
Dogs: Keep pups on a leash as town law requires this.

Palisade may only be 120 years old but that doesn’t mean it lacks in history.  Take this walking tour and check out as many as 42 marked stops around the town center. Learn how trucks lined up to offload peaches onto railroad cars.

As you walk through the matrix of streets, you will pass by several original homes built by pioneers, each with its own story. 

An historic downtown street with a sign for The Palisade Livery Saloon sign and 357 Bar & Grill. The buildings are built from brick and wood.

Check out 204 W 1st Street, one of a twin set of homes, and for many years the home of the town’s schoolteacher.  Look out for the fruit trees; this is one of a few right in town with fruit orchards.

See where the Brown Palace Saloon opened in 1905 only to close due to prohibition 3 years later. After many uses over the decades, it’s now a helpful bike rental stop!  

Enjoy lunch downtown at any of our recommended spots (See places to Eat below)

Afternoon – Visit Palisade Wineries

Colorado’s wine region continues to flourish and draws thousands of visitors each year to its Wine Festival in September.

The state’s wine scene is growing, and Palisade is at the heart of it with nearly 30 local wineries offering a variety of wines, from crisp whites to bold reds and even sparkling options.

An office advertising Palisade Trolley and Limo tours in Palisade Colorado.

Here are 4 of our favorite Palisade wineries, each offering unique tastings, stunning views, and a range of entertainment from live music to food trucks.

Restoration Vineyards

Red canopies overhead shade people seated around small tables on a grassy area tasting wines in Restoration Vineyard, Palisade Co.

Open: Saturday-Thursday 11am-5pm; Friday 11am-7pm.  
Tastings: $12.50 for 3 or $20 for 6. Prices are reduced if you buy a bottle! Reservations are not required.

The tasting room at Restoration Vineyards is beautifully designed with a modern vibe. 

Sit on the shaded paved terrace area or the lawn sheltered by red ‘rent’ canopies. As you sip, enjoy vistas of rows of vines and beyond Grand Mesa and Bookcliff mountains. 

🎒 TPOP Tip:

If you visit on a Friday, check out Pali Thai Wine Down Fridays from 3pm-8pm. Sample authentic Thai Food Truck with a well-deserved wine!

Carboy Winery at Mt. Garfield Estates

A Bar with wine menu and tables with seats for guests.

Sunday/Monday & Thursday 12pm-6pm. Friday/Saturday 12 noon-7pm. Closed Tues & Wed. Take A Tour: $45 pp.
Reservations are not required for parties of up to 6 people.

You may have visited Carboy tasting rooms in Breckenridge, Littleton, and Denver but spend time on this Palisade rooftop patio; it’s hands down a winner!

As you sit upstairs on the deck area, Mount Garfield fills the sky and the sun shines brightly across the vines in the fields below you.  We found the staff here very friendly and enthusiastic and the wines were pretty good too!

They have a paint and sip event on the 3rd Friday of each month if you’re an artsy wine lover, or have aspirations to be!  

BookCliff Vineyards

View from tasting area of Cliffbook Vineyards in Palisade. Sheet mesa rock rises above gape vines.

April to November – Daily 12pm-6pm.
December to March: Thursday-Sunday 12pm to 5pm. Tastings: $15 for 4 wines.

Bookcliff Vineyards are located in a beautiful quieter spot just out of town, with fantastic views over the rugged mesa from their tasting area.  They also have a covered deck that offers shade as you sip and a welcoming main tasting room/retail area. 

The owners describe themselves as a next generation winemaking entity, “founded and run by engineers and trained winemakers.”  They won awards in 2024 for their Malbec and Syrah wines!

On our last visit, we enjoyed Bookcliff’s Albariño wine – not a variety we’ve seen that often around Palisade in the past. 

Colterris Winery Tasting Room

Wooden gazebo entrance to Colterris winery in Palisade and people are sitting wine tasting at outdoor tables with umbrellas as shade.

Daily 10am – 5pm. Walk-up tastings are $15 (flight of 5).
Reservations for Larger Groups, Table Reservations & Tours.
Leashed dogs are welcome in outdoor areas.

Colterris is the largest vineyard producer in Colorado and has the tasting infrastructure to match.  There are numerous options for tasting experiences that you can reserve in advance, including awesome charcuterie boards with wine selections. Here are directions to the Colterris Collections tasting room.

The only thing that disappoints is tastings are not served in a glass! They decant into a plastic cup and you have to pay another $5 for the real deal.  This feels a bit cheap and not sure why they have this policy.  However, the setting is lovely, so pay your $5 (or not) and enjoy your tastings!

It can feel busier here compared to other wineries partly because it’s a bigger venue, but if you are coming here with a group, Colterris is a great choice with its lively atmosphere.  

Pre Dinner Activity – Disc Golf River Band Park

An information board showing the disc golf course in Palisade Colorado and Hole 18.

If you feel you need a little exercise after the wineries and before dinner, we have a couple of ideas. Head down to the river and you will find River Bend Park with ample parking and paths that meander along the water’s edge.

This is also where you can play disc golf which has 11 holes, Par 54, and covers 6,000ft.  

Walking path at Riverbend Park next to the river. Views of Grand Mesa as you walk.

If disc golf is not your thing, the Riverbend Park Trail is a perfect late-afternoon stroll. It runs for just over 3 miles and is an easy walk for all ages.

Day 2 – Palisade Colorado Itinerary

Morning – Cycle the Fruit & Wine Route

Fruit Farm with a wooden barn, tractor and Grand Mesa in background.

Bike Hire – $40/ day @ Palisade Cycle (e-bikes $65 /day)
Trike with Us E-Bikes start at $69; $79 for fat tire models.

Start your second day in Palisade by enjoying a cycle along the excellent Fruit and Wine Route.

Rent your bike from downtown Palisade Cycle who also will rent you a kayak or paddle board if you would prefer to be on the river for a couple of hours. 

Check out e-bikes at Trike With Us (pick up is at Deroco Cellar where their trailer is parked). Note: Reservations can only be made online. 

Once you have your bike of choice, head along any of these 3 well-marked Fruit and Wine routes, all of which are loops, and return you to town! If biking is not possible, you can enjoy driving these routes too!

  • East Cruiser Loop – 5 miles along the Colorado River from downtown Palisade. (Rating: Easy)
  • West Cruiser Loop – 7 miles, and also a loop through the park (Riverbend) and passes many wineries. (Rating: Medium)
  • Easy Mesa Orchard Loop. A hilly route of 25 miles looping around the small farms, and vines with far-reaching views. (Rating: Challenging)

Afternoon – Visit Orchard Farms

Bite into a freshly picked Palisade peach and your senses will be awakened with juicy sweetness. With an Annual Peach Festival (usually in August), this is a town that loves to celebrate their famous produce, and rightly so!

Come in June or July and you can pick cherries and fresh lavender. It’s a lovely way to spend an afternoon. A couple of interesting places to do this are:

Green Barn Fruit Company

Experience a whole range of activities depending on when you visit Green Barn Fruit Co.  They grow 7 types of peaches, cherries, apricots, nectarines, apples, and pears!!  Check their website for information on harvest dates.

Clarke Family Orchard

The orchard is run by a 7th-generation farming family. As well as their tasting room, you can take a warehouse tour and horse-drawn wagon rides. Google Maps Link to Clarke Family Orchard.

Springs and Sprouts

Lavender is grown all around Palisade. Visit one of several farms open to visitors where you can tour the process, and learn how herbs enhance certain foods. At Springs and Sprouts, try their range of infused olive oils and vinegar! Their gift shop is stuffed with foodie goodies.

Where to Buy Palisade Peaches In Season

There are countless fruit stands, shops, and farms selling produce in and around Palisade.  If you are in town during peach season, we suggest waiting until you’re leaving to buy a flat (tray) of ripe peaches as they don’t last long when they are this fresh!

We recommend family-run C&R Farms to pick up your fruit. It’s pretty much a warehouse from the outside but pull up and walk in.

You’ll get a friendly welcome and their prices are competitive. Getting Here: Google Maps Link to C&R Farms.

Evening Entertainment in Palisade Co

Wineries close around 6pm but throughout the year and especially from June to October, there are many festivals. If you are in town, head to these and enjoy live music, and great food with an emphasis on local ingredients. Some of the popular festivals are:

  • Honeybee Festival (April)
  • Palisade Bluegrass and Roots Festival (June)
  • Lavender Festival (June)
  • Peach Festival (August)
  • Winefest (September)
  • Art Festival (September)

Day 3 – Palisade Colorado Itinerary

On your final day in Palisade, there are many options including hiking the 13-mile Palisade Rim, or even up Mount Garfield. A more leisurely option is to float the Colorado River or visit the Tillman Bishop State Wildlife Area.

Colorado National Monument State Park with towering columns of rock.

On our 3-day Palisade Itinerary, we recommend a drive west to Colorado National Monument Park and the awesome Rim Rock Drive. We love this park because everything is accessible and the scenery is incredible – think a miniature Grand Canyon.

Plan 4-6 hours for this trip – you won’t regret it in our view. Have a good breakfast before you leave!

Morning – Colorado National Monument State Park

28-mile drive from Palisade to National Monument Park.
Open 24 Hours Year Round. Entrance Fees: $45 per vehicle.

Saddlehorn Visitor Center

Start here. There’s ample parking on site. Head inside to find out what events are on, and any ranger-guided hikes; enjoy the exhibitions and film.

A sign in Colorado National Monument Park with hikes and distances on it.

There are some excellent short hikes from here. Use this Saddlehorn Hiking Trail Overview for details if you want to check before you arrive.

Rim Rock Drive

Get your camera ready! The drive (without stops) will take 45 minutes to 1 hour but you will want to stop again and again, so plan for 2-3 hours for a visit.

Rocks called coke ovens due to their similar shape tower above the valley at National Monument Park, Colorado.
Views on Ridge Rim Drive

Along the way are multiple pull-out points to get out where you can soak up the majestic rock formations. These date back billions of years at their base and note the change to sandstone layers higher up. Against blue skies, it’s a drive like nowhere else in Colorado or most of the USA.

You will drive through 3 tunnels as the road twists and turns around the rim. The coke ovens are amazing as is the monument and look out for park sheep as you drive. They move very quickly 🙂

Sheep at National Monument Park near Palisade Colorado

🎒 TPOP Tip:

There are no food facilities within the park. Bring snacks as you might get hungry. Dogs are not permitted to leave your vehicle.

When you leave the park, you can return to Palisade for dinner or perhaps try a venue in Grand Junction. Pablos’ Pizza is here and also in Frutia. It has a great reputation. Order ahead online and pick up to go if you are tight on time.

Places to Stay in Palisade, Colorado

For a small town, Palisade has a pretty decent range of accommodation for visitors but they do get booked up well in advance. If your dates are flexible, check to make sure you are not clashing with a major festival weekend as prices will spike up.

It is possible to base yourself in Grand Junction and then drive to Palisade. Although we prefer to stay in Palisade, if you have kids and need more facilities or options in hotels, this might be a great option.

If you are driving an EV, there is a charging unit at Wine Country Inn, which we have used and it is convenient rather than driving to Grand Junction.

Spoke and Vine Motel, Palisade Colorado - Single story building with red roof.

📍Spoke and Vine Motel – is in the heart of Palisade. From the outside, it might look like a conventional motel, but this refurbished building has all the modern comforts. Breakfast is delivered to your room and parking on site is free. Book Spoke & Wine Here.

Patio area of hotel with tables and chair. Rocking chairs are under a veranda area.
Wine Country Inn, Palisade

📍Wine Country Inn – is a classic hotel that has continued to offer great service and facilities for decades.  With recent updates to its swimming pool and hot tub outdoor facilities, this is a perfect spot to relax after a busy day. Breakfast is exceptional and they have EV charging (1 unit) on site. 

📍Luxury Option: Mesa View House – if you have a larger group, how about hiring this house for your stay in Palisade? It comes with a hot tub and incredible mountain views.  Also, you can walk to one of the wineries! Book Mesa View House.

Places to Eat in Palisade, Colorado

If you are looking for a breakfast spot, a mid-morning cappuccino, and pastry around town, we love:

Slice of Life Bakery – this is the home baking you dream of, and for 40+ years Mary, the owner has been turning out goodies that make you happy!  Order takeaway sandwiches for lunch or a pie for later!

Open air seating booth at Slice O’ Life Bakery in Palisade Colorado.

The Artful Cup at Blue Pig (a fantastic art gallery too by the way) – serves delicious coffee. Inside this cafe is bright and modern, leading into a glorious Alice in Wonderland of art!  Make time to check it out as you sip your drinks.

A coffee shop interior  filled with artwork.
The Artful Cup Cafe

Locally roasted coffee and fresh pastries from Palisade Peach Shack if you’re heading off on an adventure and don’t have time to sit down. 

Places to Eat Dinner in Palisade Colorado that we have enjoyed are:

Fidel’s Cocina and Bar – the tacos are delicious with a nod to local produce but combinations of flavours that are interesting – try the cauliflower tacos.  

A dining area with woven baskets hanging on a wall and woven lights hanging from the ceiling. Staff at bar with customers.
Fidel’s Cocina & Bar

Peach Street Distillers – try tasting their spirits before sitting down to dinner on their outside patio or in the larger dining area indoors. This is a fun place where locals like to hang out too, so you’re likely to make new friends when you spend a couple of hours here.

Peach Street Distillers interior with a large bar area and t-shirts for sale hanging from the roof.
Peach Street Distillery

Caroline’s at Wine Country Inn is a more traditional restaurant with a focus on Colorado produce as part of the hotel. During peak times, do book ahead to secure your table as it’s very popular with guests too. An alternative option is to enjoy Tapestry, their bar, which has a relaxed friendly vibe!

FAQs

What is Palisade Colorado known for?

Peaches, Wine, and Grand Mesa!

Palisade Peaches are right up there in terms of deliciousness and their reputation is unmatched in Colorado!

But the same soil that created these delicious stone fruits has helped establish an exciting wine region that is getting recognition globally.

Palisade Peaches Ready to Harvest hanging on a tree.

Being tucked in the Grand Mesa with Mount Garfield looking over the town, the many hiking and biking trails around Palisade are known for being exciting outdoor destinations.

Does it snow in Palisade, Colorado?

It does but compared to the rest of Colorado the snowfall in Palisade is minimal. Expect an average covering of just over a foot of snow annually in town.

However, head out of town for half an hour, and you will be at Powderhorn Ski Resort, the largest flattop mountain in the world.

Although this won’t compete with our local resorts like Copper Mountain, Vail, and Breck, Powderhorn is incredibly family-friendly, and lift ticket and lesson prices are more affordable than in Summit County Colorado.

How many wineries are there in Palisade, Colorado?

There are over 30 wineries in and around Palisade, many with tours and tasting rooms where you can learn about this young wine-producing region.

Although the first grapes were planted here decades ago and before US prohibition, it wasn’t until the 1970s that commercial activity started. The first wines were produced as recently as the 1980s and the whole industry has been steadily maturing.

The annual Colorado Wine Festival reflects that Palisade is being recognized as a serious wine-producing area!

When Is The Best Time to Visit Palisade Colorado?

We prefer to visit during the summer/fall months because fruits are ripening and ready for picking during this time.  It’s also perfect weather for sitting outside at the tasting rooms around town.

 The weather in Palisade is typically low humidity with an abundance of sunshine, minimal snowfall, and rain. Expect temperatures to peak to around 90 degrees in July/August and hover in the 50-60s in May, October for example.

If you plan to come during the Colorado Wine Festival held each year in September, book well in advance as accommodation sells out quickly!!

For less crowds, visit in winter and early spring when you can combine wine tasting with the local Powderhorn Ski Resort and enjoy winter hiking around Palisade.

Wrap Up – Palisade Colorado Itinerary

We hope our itinerary ideas have inspired you to visit Palisade and spend time enjoying unique activities and the laid-back pace of life in this small Colorado town.

The many annual festivals and community events along with fun local wineries and great hospitality reflect a destination that has a deep pride in its traditions.

We also feel this is still a little bit of a ‘hidden gem’ of the Rocky Mountains like the town of Leadville which we also love visiting for its unique mountain culture.

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