Land of Lakes Overlook
Land of Lakes Overlook sits at 10,790 feet on the Grand Mesa byway, facing east, where the land drops 497 feet within 600 meters of the viewpoint. Ward Way Picnic Site lies east-northeast at 2.5 miles, with Leon Peak further along the same direction at 10.0 miles and 11,229 feet. To the east-southeast, Wilbanks Mesa and Spaulding Peak sit 9.3 and 9.4 miles out, at 8,180 and 8,583 feet respectively, with Cedar Mesa beyond them to the southeast at 11.3 miles and 6,784 feet. Directly east, Green Mountain and Priest Mountain rise at 14.0 and 15.3 miles, reaching 10,802 and 10,984 feet.
The overlook faces squarely toward sunrise. On the June solstice, the sun rises at 05:47 and sets at 20:42; on the December solstice, sunrise comes at 07:28 and sunset at 16:54. Clifton lies 23.5 miles to the west, with Grand Junction 29.4 miles west and Rifle 37.1 miles north-northeast. The previous stop along the byway is Cedaredge Overlook.
What you’re looking at
Named terrain inside the view from this overlook, nearest first.
- Ward Way Picnic Site10,174 fteast-northeast · 2.5 mi
- Wilbanks Mesa8,180 fteast-southeast · 9.3 mi
- Spaulding Peak8,583 fteast-southeast · 9.4 mi
- Leon Peak11,229 fteast-northeast · 10.0 mi
- Cedar Mesa6,784 ftsoutheast · 11.3 mi
- Green Mountain10,802 fteast · 14.0 mi
- Priest Mountain10,984 fteast · 15.3 mi
Light
This overlook faces sunrise — 0° off square to it.
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Golden hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | 07:16 | 19:24 | 18:49 |
| June solstice | 05:47 | 20:42 | 20:02 |
| September equinox | 07:00 | 19:11 | 18:36 |
| December solstice | 07:28 | 16:54 | 16:11 |
Local time (America/Denver). Computed for this exact position.
Where it is
- Clifton23.5 mi west
- Grand Junction29.4 mi west
- Rifle37.1 mi north-northeast
Take the scenic way to Land of Lakes Overlook.
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How high is Land of Lakes Overlook?
Land of Lakes Overlook sits at about 10,790 feet (3,289 m).
What can you see from Land of Lakes Overlook?
From Land of Lakes Overlook: Ward Way Picnic Site (ENE, 2.5 mi); Wilbanks Mesa (ESE, 9.3 mi); Spaulding Peak (ESE, 9.4 mi); Leon Peak (ENE, 10 mi).
Is Land of Lakes Overlook better at sunrise or sunset?
Sunrise. The land falls away from Land of Lakes Overlook toward the sunrise, so at sunset the light is behind you. Exact times shift through the year; the page shows the current window.
What is the nearest town to Land of Lakes Overlook?
Clifton, 24 miles W of Land of Lakes Overlook.
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Locals make it Verified.
Land of Lakes Overlook — confirmed, rated, and photographed by people who actually pulled over. A local confirmation is what upgrades a lookout from Discovered to Verified. Zero hallucinations.
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