Explore Western
Colorado

Welcome to Montrose

Our city’s motto is
“stay here, play everywhere!”

With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, Montrose is the perfect place to explore the outdoors regardless of the season. Montrose is centrally located in western Colorado, making it the ideal destination for your vacation. Main Street Montrose features a variety of shops, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, antique stores, and more.

Hiking and Biking Trails

• Curecanti National Recreation Area: Located about an hour east of Montrose, this recreational area offers many different hikes for all skill levels. Listed below are some of our favorites. 

  • Pine Creek Trail: This trail begins with a descent of 200+ stairs, but then is a relatively easy and flat trailhead along the Gunnison River in the Upper Black Canyon. You can learn about the history of the Rio Grande Railroad. 2.4 miles long. 

  • Curecanti Creek Trail: This hike is a little more difficult because of the 800+ feet gained on the way out. On the hike in, you will descend into the canyon through a forest and past many waterfalls. There is a calm pool at the bottom where you can wade. The trip back up can be more challenging. About 4 miles round trip.

  • Mesa Creek Trail: An easy trail along the river with canyon views. In late spring the spillways to the Morrow Point Dam open. 2 miles round trip & good for kids.

• The Connect Trail is a paved path along the Uncompahgre River, stretching 7 miles from north to south through Montrose. It’s an ideal location for wildlife viewing, enjoying San Juan mountain views, and engaging in activities like hiking, biking, walking, or jogging. Along the trail, you'll find several dog parks, playgrounds, bike parks, and the new Shelter Distillery.

• Black Canyon National Park: With many different trails, there is something for everyone! Two of our favorites include: 1) Warner Point Nature Trail: Located at the end of S. Rim Road. 1.5 miles round trip. Great views of the areas surrounding Montrose and of the Canyon. 2) Rim Rock Nature Trail: Relatively easy 2 miles round trip hike with great views of the canyon. Start at Campground Loop C or the South Rim Visitor Center. 

• Cerro Summit Recreation Area: Located about 14 miles east of Montrose on Hwy 50, this recreational area offers over 110 acres of property and features many different trails great for hiking and mountain biking. There are both easy and intermediate hiking trails.

• Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area: About 15 minutes north of Montrose you will find many different hikes and mountain biking trails through adobe badlands and pinion and juniper covered slopes. These trails go for miles and miles. Take Highway 50 north of town toward Olathe. Right before you reach the town of Olathe, take a right onto Falcon road. This will lead you into the conservation area.

Seasonal Activities and Festivals

• The Star Drive-In Movie Theatre: Right next to our home, this drive-in movie theatre has been owned and operated by the same family for over 70 years! They have traditional in-car sound and FM connection. There is a concession stand where you can buy hamburgers, fries, drinks and candy. They run movies every night through the summer. 

• Montrose Summer Music Series: Free concerts are held the first Friday of each month during the summer at Montrose Amphitheater at Cerise Park.

• FUNC Fest (Fun on the Uncompahgre): Held on the 2nd Saturday of August every year at the Montrose Water Sports Park. You can watch or partake in water fun by kayaking, SUP, or just floating down the river. There is live music, a beer garden, and vendors. 

• Black Canyon Auto Show: Held Memorial Day Weekend, the black canyon auto show closes down Main Street with many classic cars and trucks on display. 

• Palisade Lavender Festival: Held at the end of June at Riverbend Park in Palisade, which is about an hour and 15 minute drive from Montrose. Enjoy tours of the Lavender fields, vendors, demonstrations and wreath making classes. 

• Fourth of July Fun: On Fourth of July Montrose has a large parade down Main Street followed by a great fireworks show at sundown. 

• Montrose County Fair and Rodeo: Held at the end of July at the fairgrounds. Come see some animals up close, check out the vendors, music, and art, or watch a rodeo show. 

• Olathe Sweet Corn Festival: A festival held in August to celebrate the famous sweet corn grown in the neighboring town of Olathe, 15 minutes down the road. Come try our famous sweet corn and enjoy some live music, vendors, drinks, and food. 

• Palisade Peach Festival: Held the second weekend in August in Palisade, Co. Come try the famous locally grown peaches, vendors, music, kids activities, food and goods from around the valley.

• Cedaredge Applefest: Held at the beginning of October in Cedaredge, which is about a 45 minute drive north of Montrose. Enjoy hundreds of vendor booths, live music, children’s activities, and of course the famous Cedaredge apples! 

• Take a Scenic Fall Drive: Take a drive over one of the area’s many scenic byways to view our fall colors in late September through October. Keebler Pass will take you from Paonia to Crested Butte and offers some beautiful views, colors and hiking. Red Mountain Pass, a drive to Telluride, or Owl Creek Pass are other great options! 

• Year-round Access to Black Canyon National Park: The South Rim Road is open to vehicles from mid-April to mid-November. In winter, the South Rim Road is open to the visitor center. The remainder of the road is closed to vehicles, but open to cross country skiing and snowshoeing as conditions permit.

• San Juan Skijoring Event: Every second full weekend in January you can view the unique sport of skijoring in Ridgway, CO. Watch as skiers race down a specially designed track behind a galloping horse. It is a thrilling sport that connects the area’s love of winter sports with local ranching heritage. 

• Ouray Ice Festival and Competition: Head south 45 minutes to Ouray in mid January for one of the largest Ice Climbing events in the country! You can watch some of the world’s best ice climbers traverse the huge ice walls or even try it out for yourself on the beginners' wall. 

Other Notable Attractions

• Three history museums: the Ute Indian Museum, Montrose County Historical Museum, and the Museum of the Mountain West. There’s also a Children's Museum in town.

• Three golf courses in the area include The Bridges, Cobble Creek, and Black Canyon Golf Course.