Colorado National Monument

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37 mi 60 km of trail — 8 Featured Hikes

4 Gems

14 Trails

8 Trails

4 Trails

Towering over the American West, the monoliths of Colorado National Monument rise above a vast plateau. The striking red rock, sheer canyon walls, and incredible spires create an unforgettable panorama. While the desert landscape appears barren at first glance, big horn sheep, collared lizards, and eagles all call the area home. Whether you make your way into the backcountry or follow the twists and turns of Rim Rock Drive, Colorado National Monument provides an amazing escape.

To learn more about the Colorado National Monument, visit www.nps.gov.

Local Info

Visitor Centers:

Saddlehorn Visitor Center: 9 am to 4:30 pm, open daily

Visiting Tips

Colorado National Monument is open year round, 24 hours a day (closed December 25). Information about temporary or storm closures can be found by calling the park hotline at (970) 858-3617.

The most popular times to visit the park are during the spring and fall, when temperatures are moderate. Though hot in the summer months, winter months bring cold temperatures and snowfall.

Fees and Passes:
To learn more about park fees, click here.

Purchase an annual pass for all national parks sites, $80

Camping & Lodging

If you'd like to extend your visit to Colorado National Monument overnight, there is one campground that operates within the Monument. The Saddlehorn Campground is open year-round and features both first-come, first-serve sites, as well as reservable sites. Sites are suitable for recreational vehicles as well as tents. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-(877) 444-6777.

Food & Drink

There are no places to purchase food or beverages within the monument, but the nearby towns of Fruita and Grand Junction have many options for a variety of tastes.

Outfitters, Tours, & Shuttles

There is a variety of ranger-led programs that provide unique insight into the Monument beginning in the month of June. Check the calendar for more information.

Other Activities

Year round there are a variety of activities available to visitors of the Colorado National Monument. Take a drive along the historic Rim Rock Drive and stop along the way to picnic among ancient sandstones and desert flora and fauna. If you're looking to escape from the every day, there are many popular places to rock climb, cycle, and hike, and it is easy to get off of the beaten track. Spectacular especially at dawn and dusk, the Monument is the perfect location to practice photography skills, or to simply appreciate the unique desert landscape. Visit Colorado National Monument's website for more information on the park's other activities.

Maps & Guidebooks

To download a variety of free brochures to help plan your visit, click here.

Gems in Colorado National Monument - 4

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Gems

Without spoiling the surprise of the Bathtub, here is the view into Monument Canyon from the location. Just make your way, carefully to the edge to see a piece of history.

Featured Hikes in Colorado National Monument - 8

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Hikes

The base of the cliffs on Monument Canyon Trail, the day before the snow

Monument Canyon and Wedding Canyon

7.2 mi 11.5 km • Loop • 961 ft Ascent 292.84 m Ascent

(18) Fruita, CO

Lower Liberty Cap Trail

3.3 mi 5.4 km • Out and Back • 1,103 ft Ascent 336.17 m Ascent

(12) Redlands, CO

If you are photographer, go in the early morning for beautiful orange glow. You'll also have the place to yourself!

Devils Kitchen

1.1 mi 1.8 km • Out and Back • 242 ft Ascent 73.74 m Ascent

(13) Redlands, CO

Window Rock Lollipop Loop

1.7 mi 2.7 km • Loop • 182 ft Ascent 55.36 m Ascent

(5) Fruita, CO

Taking the ice tools for a walk up to Devils Kitchen after checking to see if the ice was in at No Thoroughfare Canyon.

No Thoroughfare Canyon Trail

6.7 mi 10.8 km • Point to Point • 1,980 ft Ascent 603.57 m Ascent

(15) Redlands, CO

Serpents Trail

3.8 mi 6.1 km • Loop • 789 ft Ascent 240.51 m Ascent

(10) Redlands, CO

Black Ridge Trail

11.4 mi 18.3 km • Out and Back • 1,204 ft Ascent 366.84 m Ascent

(4) Redlands, CO

Coke Ovens

1.0 mi 1.7 km • Loop • 156 ft Ascent 47.59 m Ascent

(3) Redlands, CO

Trails in Colorado National Monument - 18

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Trails

3.0 mi 4.8 km #1The Ribbon Difficult Orchard Mesa, CO	Difficult	3.0 mi 4.8 km	Orchard Mesa, CO	2
5.8 mi 9.4 km #2Monument Canyon Trail Intermediate Fruita, CO	Intermediate	5.8 mi 9.4 km	Fruita, CO	14
4.1 mi 6.6 km #3Ute Canyon Trail Intermediate Redlands, CO	Intermediate	4.1 mi 6.6 km	Redlands, CO	6
0.4 mi 0.6 km #4Otto's Trail Easy Fruita, CO	Easy	0.4 mi 0.6 km	Fruita, CO	3
1.3 mi 2.2 km #5Corkscrew Trail Difficult Redlands, CO	Difficult	1.3 mi 2.2 km	Redlands, CO	4
2.2 mi 3.5 km #6Wedding Canyon Trail Intermediate Fruita, CO	Intermediate	2.2 mi 3.5 km	Fruita, CO	2
0.7 mi 1.1 km #7Canyon Rim Trail Intermediate Fruita, CO	Intermediate	0.7 mi 1.1 km	Fruita, CO	2
0.3 mi 0.5 km #8Devils Kitchen Trail Easy/Intermediate Redlands, CO	Easy/Intermediate	0.3 mi 0.5 km	Redlands, CO	4
4.9 mi 7.9 km #9Bench Route Intermediate Redlands, CO	Intermediate	4.9 mi 7.9 km	Redlands, CO	5
0.4 mi 0.6 km #10Coke Ovens Trail Easy Redlands, CO	Easy	0.4 mi 0.6 km	Redlands, CO	3
0.3 mi 0.5 km #11Window Rock Trail Easy/Intermediate Fruita, CO	Easy/Intermediate	0.3 mi 0.5 km	Fruita, CO	3
5.1 mi 8.3 km #12Upper Liberty Cap Trail Intermediate Redlands, CO	Intermediate	5.1 mi 8.3 km	Redlands, CO	3
0.8 mi 1.3 km #13Echo Canyon Trail Easy/Intermediate Redlands, CO	Easy/Intermediate	0.8 mi 1.3 km	Redlands, CO	4
3.7 mi 5.9 km #14Old Gordon Trail Intermediate/Difficult Redlands, CO	Intermediate/Difficult	3.7 mi 5.9 km	Redlands, CO	3
0.7 mi 1.2 km #15CCC Trail Intermediate Redlands, CO	Intermediate	0.7 mi 1.2 km	Redlands, CO	2
0.4 mi 0.7 km #16Alcove Nature Trail Easy Fruita, CO	Easy	0.4 mi 0.7 km	Fruita, CO	1
2.0 mi 3.2 km #17Fruita Dugway Difficult Fruita, CO	Difficult	2.0 mi 3.2 km	Fruita, CO	0
0.9 mi 1.5 km #18Kodels Canyon Route Difficult Fruita, CO	Difficult	0.9 mi 1.5 km	Fruita, CO	0