Mesa County Fairgrounds in Grand Junction is a good, safe place to stay when you’re on your way to another riding destination.

It works especially well as a staging point or overnight stop, and it’s conveniently located for trailering out to nearby riding areas like Colorado National Monument, Dominguez Canyon, and McInnis Canyon.

Access is very easy, with well designed roads for entry and plenty of room for trailers. This makes it a stress-free stop, especially when you’re traveling long distances or heading toward Utah. There are sites with electric and water and others with full hookups.

The setup is simple but functional. There are covered stalls with water nearby, and shavings are provided (and required) for stall use.

There are also two outdoor arenas that can be used for turnout, which is a nice bonus when you’re stopping overnight with horses.

Full hookups are available at some sites, but depending on events at the fairgrounds, you may be placed in a site without them.

Reservations are required, so you’ll need to call ahead to secure a spot (970-255-7107). When you arrive, they will leave a bag of shavings for you, and there is a kiosk for payment.

One convenient perk is that you do not need to clean stalls when you leave—they handle that for you.

Bathrooms are available but may occasionally be locked.

If you’re in the area, there’s a great nearby spot to eat—Aztecas Family Mexican Restaurant—which we make a point to visit every time we stay here.

This is a great overnight stop, especially if you’re traveling to or from Utah or using Grand Junction as a base to explore nearby riding areas.