Colorado · Hiking
Hiking in Mack, Colorado
Mack sits in the far western corner of Colorado, just off I-70 between Grand Junction and the Utah border, and the hiking here is almost entirely high-desert terrain — sandstone, scrub, and open sky.
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Mack sits in the far western corner of Colorado, just off I-70 between Grand Junction and the Utah border, and the hiking here is almost entirely high-desert terrain — sandstone, scrub, and open sky. The bulk of the 69 listings in and around Mack pull from the Rabbit Valley Recreation Area and the surrounding BLM road network, which means you're looking at a mix of dedicated singletrack like the Rabbit Valley 1, 2, 5, and 8 Trails, the well-known Kokopelli Trail corridor, and a web of numbered BLM roads — 719C, 731A, 731B, 742B, and others — that double as hiking routes across open mesa country. Trail Through Time is the standout for anyone interested in paleontology; it passes actual dinosaur fossil sites and is one of the more distinctive short hikes in the region. The Jouflas Trail and LM 105 add variety for hikers who want to get away from the main Rabbit Valley trailheads. Elevations here are modest by Colorado standards, which means the trails are accessible earlier in spring and later into fall than the high-country routes a few hours east. That also means summer middays are genuinely hot, and water sources on most of these routes are nonexistent.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time of year to hike near Mack?
March through May and September through November are the sweet spots. Summer temperatures in Rabbit Valley regularly push past 95°F by midday, so if you're hiking in June through August, start before 7 a.m. and plan to be off exposed routes by late morning. Winter is generally hikeable on the lower BLM road routes, though snow and mud can close some access roads temporarily.
What is Trail Through Time, and is it suitable for beginners?
Trail Through Time is a short interpretive loop in Rabbit Valley that passes exposed dinosaur fossil sites in place — bones are visible right in the rock. It's one of the easier hikes in the area, appropriate for most fitness levels and families with older kids. Stay on the marked trail; the fossil sites are protected and disturbing them carries federal penalties.
Do I need a permit to hike the Rabbit Valley trails or the BLM road routes?
No permit is currently required for day hiking in Rabbit Valley or on the surrounding BLM lands. The area is managed by the BLM Grand Junction Field Office, and most trailheads have a self-registration box where you sign in. Check the BLM website before your trip if you're planning an overnight, as dispersed camping rules can vary by zone.
What gear should I bring for a day hike here?
Carry more water than you think you need — there are no reliable water sources on any of these routes, including the Kokopelli corridor and the numbered road hikes. Sun protection is non-negotiable: hat, sunscreen, and light long sleeves. The terrain is rocky and uneven in places, so trail runners or light hiking boots with ankle support are better than casual sneakers, especially on the Jouflas Trail and the more rugged Rabbit Valley singletrack.
How do I access the Rabbit Valley trailheads from Mack?
Rabbit Valley is roughly 30 miles west of Grand Junction on I-70; take Exit 2, which puts you directly at the main trailhead parking area. From Mack itself, it's a short drive west on I-70. The parking area is gravel and can fill up on busy spring weekends, so arriving early also helps you beat both the crowd and the heat.
