Editing Fruita, Colorado (section)

==Recreation==
The Fruita Community Center has stood as a hub of recreational, cultural, and social activities since 2011. Located at 324 N Coulson Street, this facility serves as a focal point for the community, offering a wide range of amenities and programs for residents and visitors alike. The indoor pool features lap lanes, a leisure pool, a spa, a drop slide, a climbing wall, and a diving board. It is available for both exercise and relaxation year-round. Equipped with modern cardio and strength training equipment, the fitness center caters to individuals of all fitness levels. Certified trainers are available to assist with personalized workout plans and you can even join a class. The facility includes a gymnasium for basketball, volleyball, and other indoor sports and activities. It's a versatile facility for both organized sports leagues and casual pick-up games. Various meeting and multipurpose rooms are available for community gatherings, workshops, and events. This includes various meeting rooms, the public library, the Senior Center, a pool party room, and an indoor playground. These spaces can be reserved for both public and private use. Beyond its physical offerings, the Fruita Community Center plays a vital role in fostering a sense of togetherness within the community. It serves as a venue for local clubs, groups, and community organizations to gather and collaborate. Its inclusive atmosphere promotes social connections, wellness, and the overall quality of life for Fruita's residents.

===Biking===
The area surrounding Fruita is renowned for its mountain, road, and gravel biking trails. The most notable mountain biking areas include the North Fruita Desert/18 Road trail system (Chutes and Ladders, Zippety-do-da, Edge Loop, Joe's Ridge, Prime Cut, Kessel Run, and others) and the Kokopelli Trailhead region (Mary's Loop, Horsethief Bench, Lion's Loop, Moore Fun, Rustler's Loop, Steve's Loop, Troy Built, and others). Kokopelli Trail is a {{convert|142|mi|km|adj=on}} continuous single and double track trail connecting the nearby town of Loma to Moab, Utah. Road biking is also a favorite sport in the high desert climate of Fruita. Many ride the {{convert|46|mi|km|adj=on}} loop along the Colorado National Monument overlooking the Grand Valley. The Fruita Farms/Highline Lake Loop is also popular, stretching from the town to the lake and back. Gravel biking has more recently gained traction in the area. The Fruita and Palisade Gravel Adventure Field Guide is a free booklet that details the best trails and the history of them, along with maps. There are multiple bike shops where people can buy new bikes or parts as well as get repairs. Colorado Backcountry Biker, Over the Edge Sports, Pedaling Innovations, and Canfield Bikes are all conveniently within city limits for all biking needs.

===Birding===
Many common and rare birds can be seen here, including ash-throated and gray flycatchers, [[bald eagle]]s, [[Great Blue Heron|blue heron]]s, [[pinyon jay]]s, and [[peregrine falcon]]s, as well as some rare breeds such as [[red-throated loon]] and [[red-necked grebe]]. The best birding locations are the Colorado River, Colorado National Monument and Highline Lake State Park. The Grand Valley Audubon and the Colorado Birding Society are good sources of local information on birding. See also [[List of birds of Colorado]].

===Water Sports===
Rafting, kayaking, boating, and canoeing: The Colorado River, located just a short drive away, offers various sections suitable for different skill levels. You can embark on thrilling whitewater adventures or opt for a more leisurely float through scenic canyons.

Stand-Up Paddle boarding: There are multiple opportunities for paddle boarding, including the James M. Robb State Park, Imondi Wake Zone (which also offers wakeboarding and a water obstacle course), Snooks Bottom Open Space, Highline Lake, and calmer spots in the Colorado River.

Swimming: For indoor swimming, the Fruita Community Center offers a swimming pool and hot tub. There are also plenty of places to swim outdoors such as Highline Lake, James M. Robb State Park, and more.

Exploring Waterfalls: The area around Fruita features some stunning waterfalls, like Connected Lakes, No Throughfare Canyon, Big Dominguez Canyon, and Rifle Falls, which are worth visiting. These natural wonders are often surrounded by lush vegetation and provide a refreshing escape from the heat.

===Golf===
[[Adobe Creek National Golf Course]], located at 876 18 1/2 Road, offers three nine-hole courses nestled along Adobe Creek and the Colorado River. There are four golf courses available in Grand Junction.

===Hiking and horseback riding===
[[Image:Fruita-nonumbers.jpg|thumb|View of Fruita from the [[Colorado National Monument]]]]
There are hiking and horseback riding trails of variable lengths available in nearby [[McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area]] including Devil's Canyon, Pollock Bench, [[Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness]] (Knowles Canyon, [[Mee Canyon]], Moore Canyon, [[Rattlesnake Canyon (Colorado)|Rattlesnake Canyon]]), [[Colorado National Monument]] (Canyon Rim Trail, Coke Ovens Trail, Liberty Cap Trail, Monument Canyon Trail, Otto's Trail, Serpent's Trail, Window Rock Trail), Dinosaur Hill, [[Highline Lake State Park]], and [[Rabbit Valley, Colorado|Rabbit Valley]].

===Hunting and Fishing===
Big Game Hunting: Fruita and its surrounding areas are known for their excellent big game hunting. Hunters flock to the region in pursuit of deer and elk. The vast public lands, including the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests, offer ample acreage for both rifle and archery hunting. The hunting season typically starts in the fall, and hunters are required to obtain the appropriate licenses and follow state regulations.

Small Game and Upland Bird Hunting: Fruita and the western slope of Colorado also offer opportunities for small game and upland bird hunting. This includes hunting for species like rabbits, squirrels, grouse, and pheasants. The local terrain, including sagebrush flats and piñon-juniper woodlands, provides suitable habitats for these game animals.

Waterfowl Hunting: The Colorado River and nearby wetlands attract waterfowl hunters in search of ducks and geese. The region's diverse waterways and marshy areas provide ideal habitats for waterfowl, and hunters can access public lands or private hunting clubs to pursue this activity.

Trout Fishing: The rivers, streams, and lakes in and around Fruita offer some of the best trout fishing in Colorado. The Colorado River itself is home to a variety of trout species, including rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout. Additionally, high mountain lakes in nearby areas provide opportunities for pristine alpine trout fishing.

Warm Water Fishing: In addition to trout, the region's lakes and reservoirs support a variety of warm water fish species, including bass, catfish, crappie, and sunfish. Local fishing spots like Highline Lake State Park and Mack Mesa Lake are popular destinations for warm water anglers.

Fly Fishing: Fruita and the surrounding region are a haven for fly anglers. The crystal-clear streams and rivers provide an excellent environment for fly fishing enthusiasts looking to test their skills against wary trout. Local fly shops can provide guidance on the best flies and techniques for the season

Ice Fishing: In the winter months, when lakes freeze over, ice fishing becomes a popular activity. Anglers can drill holes in the ice and fish for a variety of species, including trout and perch.

===Parks===
[[File:Fruita-Canyon View 2012-10-27.JPG|thumb|Fruita Canyon as viewed from [[Colorado National Monument]]]]
Town parks in Fruita include Circle Park at the junction of Mesa Street and Aspen Avenue, Comstock Park at 725 Galena Circle, Heritage Park at 210 I-70 Frontage Road, Little Salt Wash at 1135 18 Road, Raptor Skate Park at 273 North Cherry,
Reed Park at 250 South Elm, Roberson Park at 280 West Roberson Drive, Triangle Park at 103 South Coulson Street, and Veteran's Memorial Park at 342 Hwy 340. The [[James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park|James M. Robb Colorado River State Park]] encompasses 890 acres located on [[Colorado State Highway 340|State Highway 340]].

The [[Colorado National Monument]] is almost {{convert|20500|acre|km2}} of semi-arid wilderness, rising more than {{convert|2000|ft|m}} above the city of Fruita. Native wildlife such as [[eagle]]s, [[bighorn sheep]], and [[mule deer]] can be seen in the area.

The Riverfront Trail system follows the Colorado River through Mesa County through [[Populus sect. Aegiros|cottonwood]] groves, [[wetlands]], and marshes. It is home to over 200 different species of birds, three endangered species of fish, and an abundance of small animals. The trail project is still in progress and plans to connect Fruita to [[Palisade, Colorado|Palisade]] via a paved recreation trail. The project is a collaboration of several cities, Mesa County, and state agencies and overseen by the Colorado Riverfront Commission.<ref>Colorado Riverfront Commission, [http://riverfrontproject.org/index.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725005150/http://riverfrontproject.org/index.html|date=July 25, 2008}}, ''What is the Riverfront Trail System'', February 11, 2011</ref>

===Rodeo===
Rimrock Rodeo takes place from June through August every Tuesday evening through the summer. A series of events showcase riders: there is a "Mutton Busting" event and the Professional Rodeo Riders "Grand Entry" event.

===Running===
Fruita runners take part in town races such as the July PteRANodon Ptrot, the February Sweet Heart Run, and the annual Rim Rock marathon held in November atop the Colorado National Monument. Trail running is also popular and takes place on any of the hiking trails. The Desert RATS Trail Running Festival includes 5, 10, 25, and {{convert|50|mi|km|adj=on}} trail races in April, as well as the Desert RATS multi-day supported trail race along the Kokopelli's Trail from Loma to Moab.