Gateway Canyons: Family luxury at its best

 

The palisade formation at Gateway Canyons Resort

I have to confess, when I made the reservation for Gateway Canyons, I thought we were headed to Grand Junction for Labor Day Weekend. I had “Googled” Grand Junction to find a place that our family has not seen before. We’ve done Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, every year since our 6 year-old was born. So we needed a bit of change of scenery.

 

But, as we drove past Grand Junction, and made our way onto Highway 141 South, we realized that we were actually no where near Grand Junction. As the cell phones lost all connection with the Front Range and even the Western Slope we drove into the most beautiful canyon we had ever seen. Not knowing for sure where we were going or how far it was going to be we pressed on, encouraged by the road signs to “Gateway.”

Finally, about 45 minutes later we found our oasis. With beautiful adobe architecture, staggering red rock formations and a flowing Delores River, Gateway Canyons is a true paradise. Tucked under a looming palisade rock formation and hundred-year-old cottonwood trees, we knew we were going to like it here.

Our room in the Kiva Lodge was wonderful – a double-queen room with a small outdoor patio with a stunning view of the cliffs. The kids, ages 6 and 2, fell in love with the pool outside our door, and the private, stocked fishing pond just beyond our room. Realizing we were closer to Moab, Utah, than Denver, Colorado, the opportunity for escape could not be matched. For the active adventurous types, the resort offers ATV trips, mountain bikes, kayaks, float boats, Jeep tours, and other great activities through the outfitters shop. Fishing poles for the private stocked fishing ponds were free for the kids and they had a ball catching Blue Gills and whatever else was stocked. 

Hiking trails, a spa, two on-site restaurants, a general store and a great automobile museum on the premises round out just a few of the entertainment options. But the most important option was just relaxing and recharging the batteries for all. We left refreshed from a much-needed family getaway.

For more information on Gateway Canyons, visit www.gatewaycanyons.com. 

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