A look at Vega State Park near Grand Junction:

Description: The park to the far west has a name that stems appropriately from the Spanish word meaning meadow. The tall grass here surrounds a 900-acre lake, nestled at 8,000 feet along the slopes of the world’s largest flattop mountain, Grand Mesa. Wildflowers burst in the summer, and the aspen-lined hillsides glow in autumn. Hikers, bikers, snowshoers and snowmobilers can venture from park grounds into Grand Mesa National Forest. Overnighters might take advantage of five rustic cabins available year-around.

Activities: Hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, water sports, camping, snowmobiling, OHV, cross-country skiing/snowshoeing, wildlife/bird viewing

Wildlife: Elk, mule deer, red fox, coyotes, marmots, beavers common; black-billed magpie, scrub jay, raven common among birds, with many others drawn to the water; trouts include rainbow, cutthroat and brook

Fun fact: In the Paleozoic era, a sea covered what is now the park’s land. Fossils of sea turtles have been found over the years.

Address: 15247 N. 6/10 Road., Collbran, 81624

Contact: 970-487-3407, [email protected]

Hours: Day use 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Directions: Go west on Interstate 70, take exit 62 toward De Beque and follow Road 451/2 for 11 miles to Highway 65. After a short drive south, turn east onto Highway 330 and follow about 16 miles through Collbran. Turn south onto Road 64.6 and continue about 4 miles to park.