Growing up in Colorado we were constantly going for drives to the mountains, camping and enjoying the great outdoors. In 2011 my family and I moved to Texas and instantly missed having the mountains in our back yard. Nowadays we work to get to the mountains at least once per year, the crisp air, blue sky and gorgeous terrain always renews our spirit. One of our favorite places to visit is Grand Mesa Lodge. Grand Mesa Lodge has the best accommodations, endless activities and has been beautifully remodeled!

Location

The Grand Mesa of Colorado is on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The mesa (meaning an isolated flat-topped hill with steep sides) covers an area of about 500 square miles. The Grand Mesa is the largest flat-topped mountain in the world and boasts 312 natural lakes. 

From Denver International Airport (DEN) it is about a 5-hour drive to the lodge. Looking for a shorter commute? You can also fly into Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) where you will only be 1-hour from the lodge. Depending on the season roads can be messy so plan ahead, get a 4-wheel drive vehicle and take your time – it’s a beautiful drive!

As you pull up to the lodge on 65 you can’t miss the iconic Grand Mesa Lodge sign! Be sure to pull in to the lodge – where you can get checked in, enjoy a hot beverage or a cold beer!

The Lodge

After the historic snow of 2016-2017 season Grand Mesa Lodge had to do some intensive roof repairs. While the lodge was under construction the owners Mike and Rose Wenner discovered extensive damage to the structure, this finding let them to a nearly complete renovation. The new and improved lodge is the perfect place to spend an evening with friends and family!

The view of the back of the lodge showcases the large picture windows and outdoor seating – these windows overlook the beautiful Island Lake below. The lodge sits at an elevation of 10,500 ft and is the highest year-round operational lodge.

Inside the lodge, you will find a fully stocked general store! Everything from deodorant and toothpaste to fishing poles and (the softest ever) sweat pants! I always seem to find something I can’t live without! 🛍 During our recent trip, our group (mostly from Texas and California 🤷🏻) were excited to find canned Oxygen (Boost Oxygen) in the store. Everyone enjoyed having this on hand during our active weekend on the mountain – the elevation is no joke!

In addition to the general store, the lodge features a cozy seating area around a wood burning stove! Such a great place to relax and warm up after playing in the snow!

Of all the improvements made to the lodge, this one might be my favorite! 🍻 During their renovation, they added a bar and large seating area. The bar serves everything from local beer on tap to cocktails and wine by the glass. In addition, they also offer delicious bar food such as, house-made pizza, HOT wings and chili! Each food item we had was served hot and better than the last! I highly recommend Mikes secret recipe HOT🔥 wings – they are perfect for the spicy food lover!

The night we arrived, the lodge featured live music by a local artist. Her music was easy to listen to and enjoyable. The perfect addition to this cozy atmosphere!

One cannot visit Grand Mesa Lodge without meeting Wylie! Wylie is the resident pup that loves to greet newcomers from his stoop. This friendly pup is sure to make an impression on every Mesa visitor! 

 “Many guests have become good friends and it’s like welcoming guests to our home when they stay here because we live here and want them to get the most out of their visit”,  –Mike Wenner.

Accommodations

While staying at Grand Mesa Lodge there are 16 private cabins and 2 hotel rooms to choose from. Each cabin has an individual layout accommodating different quantities of people (check out the cabins here). We always stay in Cabin 12 which has two queen beds (in private bedrooms) and a futon couch. In addition to sleeping accommodations, each cabin has a full kitchen with a dining table. The kitchens are stocked with dishes, silverware and some select cookware – everything you need to make a hot breakfast or a can of soup!

❄The Grand Mesa averages 425 inches of snow per season, that is over 35 feet!!! ❄

Activities

While staying at Grand Mesa Lodge there are endless opportunities for outdoor fun!

Winter –

• Snowmobiling (Mike is the BEST tour guide!)
• Nordic Skiing (Cross-Country Skiing)
• Ice Fishing
• Skiing/Snowboarding @ Powderhorn Ski Resort (a 20-minute drive down the road)

Summer/Fall –

• Fishing
• Boat Rentals
• 4-Wheeling
• Golf @ Cedaredge Golf Club (a 30-minute drive down the road)
• Hiking
• Mountain Biking
• Swimming
• Fall Color Viewing
• Hunting

Weddings

If you are looking for a wedding spot look no further. Grand Mesa Lodge offers the most beautiful untouched canvas, perfect for tieing the knot surrounded by those you love. 

With cabins for the whole party, a gorgeous overlook for the ceremony and the beautiful lodge for the reception Grand Mesa Lodge is your one-stop shop for a classic mountain wedding. Interested in more information? Click here.

 

If you are looking to take a step away, to unplug and enjoy nature as it’s intended
Grand Mesa Lodge is the place for you.
Mike and Rose will welcome you into their home like family.
It really is Colorado’s hidden gem.

If you have any questions leave them below, if you make the trip make sure to scratch Wiley’s ears for me! 🐶

xo, 

C

Interested in more information on our Colorado travels? click here

Originally our family is from Colorado. We all grew up in Southern Colorado and had the fortune of the Rocky Mountains in our backyard.

One thing I have realized since becoming a Texan is that Colorado is waaay more fun to visit. As a resident we enjoyed the beautiful scenery, great camping and winter sports, but not as much as we do now. Planning a Colorado vacation is one of the greatest and most difficult tasks – what do we want to do this time? With so many options it might be daunting but thankfully there are no bad options.

This past summer we had the pleasure of attending a sunrise wedding in the gorgeous Maroon Bells (just outside of Aspen). The wedding was scheduled in early July and the weather could not have been more perfect. Sunshine and a light breeze kept us comfortable the whole stay.

Travel

It is about 50/50 whether we travel by car or plane when heading back home. To meet our time restraints for this trip we opted to fly. Flights from Dallas to Denver are reasonably priced for most months of the year. As a family we are light packers and tend to choose economy over comfort. With this particular trip I found flights with Spirit Airlines to be most cost effective. I know that there is some bad press when it comes to Spirit but we have never had any issue. And when you can fly round trip for less than $ 100/person – I mean com’on! 🤷🏻

Upon arrival we picked up our rental car that I booked with RentalCars.com. I love RentalCars.com because their app is user-friendly and they have the option to “Book Now, Pay Later”. I love this feature because it gives me the ability to book a rental car even if the trip is still a distant possibility.  Cancellation is free up until right before the reservation so it gives you the freedom to lock in a great rate without the commitment. After a quick turnaround at the checkout counter we were on our way, headed west on I-70. Mountain Bound!

Lodging

While we were in Aspen, Colorado we stayed at the beautiful Gant Hotel. Our room featured three bedrooms on a split level floor plan. The condo had a full kitchen, dinning room and living area. The kitchen was stocked with all the cookware and serving utensils you could need and the couch pulled out to feature even more sleeping area. It was a wonderful space for wedding prep and family chit-chat – our room was the hub for family throughout the stay. Adreena enjoyed the beautiful grounds, pool and hot tub with her friends. While Aaron and I enjoyed the walk ability of Aspen. We would gather up and walk as a group from the hotel to lunch, drinks and dancing. It was amazing how close everything felt. Other than the wedding I am pretty sure we never moved the car!

Colorado

On our way back down the mountain we opted to drive through the historic town of Leadville, Colorado. Leadville is known as the highest incorporated city in the United States. It is a former mining town that still has all the charm from its yesteryear. Downtown Leadville features one long drag lined with historic buildings from saloons to candy shops – it really is a wonderful place. Throughout the year Leadville features many festivals and events. Some of my favorite include Boom Days and Skijoring. We stopped for lunch and then were back on the road headed for Denver.

Many times when we are in Colorado for play we visit Grand Mesa Lodge. The Grand Mesa is the largest flat top mountain in the world and is located on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. At the lodge you will find fun things to do regardless of your age, ability or the season. Grand Mesa Lodge features 14 individual cabins and even some hotel rooms for rent. During the summer months there is hiking, biking, four wheeling and water sports. The winter months are full of snowmobiling, sledding, cross-country skiing and of course epic snow ball fights. Near to the lodge is Powderhorn Ski Resort – a smaller resort with a personal feel. We thoroughly enjoy skiing/snowboarding at Powderhorn. Of course if you prefer to just snuggle up in the rustic cabin with a hot cup of coffee – the lodge has you covered there too.

On the way back to Denver you pass by Glenwood Springs (home to the worlds largest hot springs pool), many other ski resorts and great shopping. With all these distractions it can be challenging to make back to the airport in time! 😅

What your favorite thing to do/see in Colorado?

Can you pick just one? 🤔

Let me know in the comments below!

xo

Carolyn