Rocky Mountain Outdoor Writers and Photographers

Discover the Heart of Colorado’s Canyon Country

Dates:  Tuesday, September 29 through Friday, October 2 

Location: Grand Junction, Colorado

Things To Do Around Grand Junction

This year, we’ll gather in Grand Junction, Colorado, where red rock canyons meet alpine lakes, vineyards, and the Colorado River. The area offers an outstanding variety of subjects for both photographers and writers — from sweeping desert overlooks to quiet garden paths — making it a perfect location for RMOWP.

Following the conference, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels will be performing their airshow on Saturday and Sunday, making it a perfect extension of the trip for aviation photography and storytelling. https://www.gjairshow.com

To wrap up the weekend, Sunday will also feature a fall-color drive (“Color Sunday”), taking advantage of peak autumn conditions in western Colorado—an ideal opportunity for landscape photography.

September 29 – October 2, 2026 | Grand Junction, Colorado
Hosted at the Clarion Inn with additional events at the Grand Junction Library and Colorado National Monument.

• Board of Directors Meeting (open to members) 
• Registration and Opening Reception with light buffet 
• Opening presentation and contest submissions showcase 

• Bird Banding Experience with Grand Valley Audubon Society 
• General Membership Meeting 
• Anne Sullivan Writers’ Forum 
• Workshop: Publishing for Outdoor Writing - Bill Haggerty
• Special Presentation: Santa Clara Ranch 
• Evening field outing to Colorado National Monument for a sunset and moonrise photography experience 

• Guided Bird Walk with Grand Valley Audubon Society 
• Workshop:  Journaling in the Backcountry: How to Capture Your Experiences -  Melody Jones  
• Photo Critique Session with experienced professionals 
• Presentation: The Magic of Taking Photos - Andy Bowen, of Above Alpine Photography, will be discussing the joy of the process. It's easy to get caught up in the technical side of photography and oftentimes overthink preparation and execution. No matter how prepared you are, the reality of the situation you're in will inevitably change. Being able to be fully present, calm, and ready to enjoy whatever you are handed is paramount to anything else. The more you're enjoying the process, regardless of what happens, the more pictures you will take, the better you'll become, and ultimately the more fun you'll have. Andy takes joy seriously and is excited to encourage you to do the same. 
• Evening Member Auction and group dinner 

• Presentation:  Desert to Delta: Storytelling Tips from the Journey to Africa’s Last Eden - Joe Casias and Ada Andrews (RMOWP Members) 
• “Capturing the Outdoors” Public Showcase at the Grand Junction Library. Click Here To Learn More
  • Photography displays 
  • Live writing readings 
  • Community engagement and educational experiences 
• Closing Banquet with BBQ dinner and Awards Presentation 

• Hands-on outdoor experiences (birding, photography outings) 
• Educational workshops for writers and photographers 
• Opportunities to showcase work and connect with the public 
• Networking with a passionate outdoor creative community