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    Colorado National Monument

    4.8 (128 reviews)
    Open Open 24 hours
    Updated 2 months ago

    Colorado National Monument Photos

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    Entrance
    Bee W.

    With our parks pass we decided to stop on our way back to Colorado. But because of the government shutdown, no fees collected. We drove in and enjoyed the scenic route. Stopped to look at the different rock formations and admire Mother Nature's work. One of my favorite places to visit.

    Joy S.

    We had never heard of this national monument until we saw some signs for it on the highway going into Grand Junction, CO. We decided we had a little time after supper before it got dark, so we drove out to see it. What a fantastic surprise it turned out to be! The road through it wound back and forth on the edge of gorgeous canyons and rock formations. There were several areas to pull over and view the scenery. If we'd had more time, hiking in the area would've been fun. As it was, we ran out of light before we ran out of scenery! The road doesn't have guardrails everywhere, so be sure to take your time and drive carefully. Highly recommend visiting this gem.

    Jeffrey S.

    I was embarrassingly old years old when I realized this place was a national monument. To rectify that, it went on my list as a spot to visit and before long we carved out a weekend for that purpose. Located near the town of Grand Junction, Colorado, it's not the largest national monument, nor the most remote. You can feel the development moving in, with some parts of the hike we chose actually along a fenceline peering into backyards. But despite that, it's still quite an incredible little nugget carved out of the desert plateau. It feels like a portmanteau of several of the west's best national parks (Canyonlands, Arches) all scrunched into a tidy and accessible package. We opted for a hike, followed by a drive over the entire scenic road, which is probably the best way to see this if you only have a day. You can get a great feel for it after just a day, but I'm sure the locals would say you really ought to get out on a few more hikes. What a fun treat to have here, on what turned out to be a great weekend in Grand Junction. Don't sleep on it like I did.

    Ed T.

    This review is for Monument Canyon Loop Trail which was a ~4.5 miles round trip that took ~2.5 hours to complete. Started the loop by going counterclockwise. A few extremely steep inclines and snow further in. Stunning views of the canyon and rocks! Not a fan of the fence adjacent to the trail near the beginning and the end. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/-CTPNnfPIlo

    Saddle horn campsite
    Rus M.

    Food: 0/5 Service: 0/5 Ambiance: 5/5 Parking: 4/5 Family friendly: 5/5 Stroller friendly: 5/5 Saddlehorn Campsite was amazing! Took a little time to get up the top where the camp site from Fruita, CO, but well worth it. Only downside: there isn't much shade if you're going to stay during the summer. Make sure to bring your own, but also be aware of the wind that kicks up from time to time. Cool amenities here include: clean bathrooms, water, and picnic benches. Highly recommend this place!

    Israel G.

    Absolutely STUNNING!! This place is must see if you're driving through Grand Junction!! It's not too far off the freeway and you can drive through the park! The views were just spectacular! We drove through the park, stopped for about 15 minutes taking pics, and spent about 20 minutes in the visitor center. All together it took about 90 minutes from entry to exit. You could make this a 45 minutes trip or 4-5 hours. All depends on your pace and what you want to see.

    Linda L.

    Beautiful, magical with stunning views! But know before you go! ~The Colorado National Monument has two entrances but THE BEST entrance is off the I-70 from Fruita to the west entrance. This is where most of the magic is! ~The monument is open 24 hours a day year-round. ~Rim Rock Drive offers 23 miles of stunning cliff, rock formations/monoliths (as tall as 450 feet!) and breathtaking canyon views! Be sure to stop at the scenic overlooks along the way for photo ops and informative signage. ~There are varying entrance fees, so be sure to check out their website. During the winter season the entrance station is closed. Unless you've got an annual pass there is an "honor system" payment box...please be sure to pay before you look, explore and play! ~Rim Rock Drive may be closed on occasion due to poor road conditions (snow, ice, fallen rock, etc.). For updates on storm info or temporary closures call the park hotline at 970.858.3617 ext 311 for a daily update on the road and conditions. ~There are three tunnels (the longest being 530 feet long), so headlights on and proceed with caution. ~Be sure to check out the Visitor Center for cool and unique gifts and to learn fun facts about the history of the canyon! Standard hours are 9am-4:30pm. In warmer months, there's a nice picnic table to the right of the center so you can snack and take in the views! ~Furry pals are not allowed on the trails and must stay on paved roads only...but are welcome in the campgrounds. Bottom line...this is an absolute MUST for locals, travelers, hikers, climbers, cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts! SO WORTH IT! Be happy outside!

    Mel C.

    Colorado National Monument Colorado National Monument is located about 30 minutes from Grand Junction, Colorado. I recommend Colorado National Monument if you're in the area or if you just want to see what Mother Nature has to offer minus the huge crowds of people. Colorado National Monument can be visited in a few hours. We started at the visitor's center, received tips from the Ranger, drove the 23-mile Rim Rock Drive, went on a few hikes, and enjoyed the landscape. All this was completed in less than 4 hours. Highlights include Liberty Cap, Devil's Kitchen, Independence Monument, and the Coke Ovens. We hiked Otto's Trail and the Upper Monument Canyon. The views are awesome at every stop. Here's a tip...the views from the visitor's center are awesome too. On the way back down, we had a not so little bonus. A big horn sheep was in the middle of the road doing what big horn sheep do. We obviously stopped and watched the big horn sheep as it took its time getting to safety. Side note...big horn sheep are the only Rams that I am a fan of. Go Niners!! I recommend Colorado National Monument. Just do it!! 2024 Yelp Review #17

    Book cliffs view from Rim trail
    Kris L.

    This is a fantastic, less known park, a bit like Bryce Canyon meets Monument Valley with uncrowned hikes.n We started at Fruita, avoiding the busier and closer to town Devils Kitchen area. The views towards the town and the river valley from the Historic Trails view were a fabulous start. Do hike the easy ( but hot) Canyon Rim Trail to Book Cliffs and Window Rock trail for a more immersive experience. The short hike to the Coke Ovens is also a must do. We turned around after Coke ovens so that we could do a 5.6 mile loop trail of Wedding Canyon and Monument Canyon from the parking lot on highway 340 - this was a suggestion from a Park Ranger and an excellent one. Take lots of water if you do this and hiking boots as this is moderately challenging with uphill sections and only shade in a few spots - more shade on the Wedding Canyon side in the late afternoon.

    Kaori M.

    At first we didn't plan to come here but due to rental car problem we had to come to Grand Junction since there is rental car center at the airport. Since we were in the area, we decided to hike in Colorado NM. We hiked into Devild Kitchen, No Throughfare canyon, and Monument canyon. Very pretty. Most memorable is to see wildlife.

    Independence Monument from Otto's Trail
    Terri C.

    Located outside of Grand Junction, Colorado, the Colorado National Monument is a unit of the National Park Service that is worth a visit. We spent a few hours driving along the 23-mile Rim Rock Drive, stopping for a couple of short walks along the way. The first stop was for Otto's Trail, which was less than a mile round trip. At the overlook, you have excellent views of canyons and Independence Monument. We then drove to the Upper Monument Canyon to see the Coke Ovens; this walk was a little over a mile round trip. We even saw a big horn sheep crossing the road, so look out for wildlife! There was more to see that we'll have to go back for on another visit. Highly recommended.

    Sunrise (7/24/21)
    Matt C.

    Live in Colorado? Plan a trip to Grand Junction so you can experience the Colorado National Monument. It's an incredibly special place and it shocks me how many people are unaware of its existence. It's one of Colorado's four national parks! Ok, why is it special? For starters, the scenery is very different from Colorado's main attractions. Here you are in Colorado's Western Slope, Grand Mesa country. Red rock, desert, plateaus, flat. It might not be your favorite characteristic of the Centennial State, though it shouldn't deter you from experiencing its unique beauty at least once in your life. Looking for a low lift experience. Perfect. Drive along Rim Rock Drive, a 23-mile road veering up and down the canyon. With so many viewpoints and look outs, you can essentially go from one to the next, taking your sweet time. Sunrise at the Colorado National Monument is humbling. We arrived around 6am, drove up the mountain, and although the sun was hiding behind the clouds for most of the morning, we were able to catch a quick glimpse of its grandeur at Artist's Point. It was just us, the silence was mesmerizing, the views nothing short of spectacular. Additionally, we made friends with about 15 bighorn sheep during our time here. Yep, 15, you heard correctly. These animals are fun to watch, especially as they survey the vast land in front of them. Independence Monument, Grand View, Artist Point, there's so many amazing spots here. We didn't hike or camp or bike, but there are so many opportunities for one to experience the park however they see fit. The monoliths, rock formations, and twists and turns of Rim Rock Drive are the ultimate trip through the American West. The landscape is planted in my brain. I truly cannot wait to return here to the hidden gem of Colorado!

    Marshall G.

    This was a Wonderful day. This is a auto loop with pull outs Very clean and safe @ 25 mph or less. The canyons here were used by the Ute Indians long ago. But the views and the balanced rock can't be missed. This is a National Park Service park.

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    9 months ago

    Oh this drive- truly awe-inspiring. Nice road with amazing hikes, trails, scenic overlooks. If you're in the area this is a must do!

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    Absolutely breathtaking views! Gorgeous and a little scary! Beautiful trails and and pullover spots are awesome!

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    Review Highlights - Colorado National Monument

    It's located In Grand Junction, Colorado near the Utah border with plenty of sights to see within the area.

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    Dead Horse Point State Park

    Dead Horse Point State Park

    4.7
    (148 reviews)
    67.1 mi

    I had most incredible experience solo camping and canoeing out here. The peacefulness, the awe of…read morebeauty, the sheer magnitude of it all, it's really something quite special. Photos and videos do not do it justice. You have to experience it for yourself, seriously! Every new bend around the corner was even more breathtaking than the last. If you get a chance, definitely paddle the river. It's a whole new perspective down there!!

    Dead Horse Point State Park is absolutely stunning--and pet friendly! The overlooks alone are worth…read morethe stop, but there are also several trails to choose from. We hiked the East Rim Trail, which connects to the West Rim Trail, for a total of about 3.9 miles. I'd rate it as easy to moderate: mostly flat with a few sections of light climbing. The views throughout the hike are breathtaking, and when we went, it wasn't crowded at all. Keep in mind that the park is very hot with almost no shade, so bring plenty of water. If you're traveling with a dog, be mindful of the ground temperature to avoid burning their paw pads. The visitor center itself isn't pet-friendly, but the bathrooms are located outside and accessible. My only complaint is that the trail markers could be clearer--since some trails overlap, it can get confusing. Entry is $20 per vehicle, paid at the gate. We spent about 2.5 hours exploring, though you could easily stay longer if you want to sit, relax, and take in the scenery. Overall, this is a must-visit stop in Moab.

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    Dead Horse Point State Park Utah
    Dead Horse Point State Park Utah
    Dead Horse Point State Park
    Dead Horse Point State Park

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    Lunch Loop Bike Park

    Lunch Loop Bike Park

    5.0
    (1 review)
    6.7 mi

    Who knew that a bike park could also provide some great hiking and trail running?…read more My partner is a serious mountain biker and enjoys black and double black routes and this was mainly a mountain bike trip that he organized and I tagged along with the doggie. This was a great bike park for hikers and trail runners too and dogs are allowed and make sure they are leashed. I did see plenty of dog owners have their dog(s) off leash, which can be great for the dogs, but can be more trying for little dogs who may not want to deal with that. There is a parking lot here with plenty of spots, restrooms and air pump for your bikes here. I was able to hike this bike park for 3+ hours and really enjoyed it. I started on Tabegauche Trail and made it up to Eagle's Connector and finally to Eagle's Wing and then back on Tabeguache Trail back to the parking lot. This was about a 6 to 6.5 mile hike and with some portions where there is a bit of climbing (around 800 to 1,000 feet ascent). I really enjoyed the views and could do a bit of trail running also, and my companion, an 18 pound Shiba Inu was great! I was on the Eagle's Connector Trail and there were so many blue colored birds and I was able to ID them and they are Pinyon's Jay, which is a new species for me! Awesome! Definitely check this bike park out, but also if you have folks in your group that aren't bikers, this would be fun for them too! Lots of great trails, very well marked (can't get lost as I usually do) and some awesome views from the top and just an overall cool place to hang out for a couple of hours!

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    Photo of trails
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    Another photo of trails

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    Another photo of trails
    Looking Glass Arch

    Looking Glass Arch

    4.3
    (3 reviews)
    65.5 mi

    The climb is located eastern rib ( 38°16'30.37"N 109°24'11.85"W). Extremely fun, and easy climb…read more Just as stated, 3 pitches to the summit, and accurate information. All solid bolts with the exception of the second bolt on the second pitch are slightly loose but unfortunately didn't have the equipment to fix. Just bolts on third pitch anchors, no chains or rings. A 60m rope runout on a double rap on the third pitch, but it's walkable to pitch 2 anchors --make sure you close the system. Climbed on 06-22-2018. Didn't see any rattlers on this climb --though their holes are everywhere.

    We decided to check out Looking Glass Arch for a quickie climb before we headed back to CO. I had…read moreread about an easy 3-pitch bolted route (Regular Route) that tops out on the summit followed by an ~115 ft free hanging rappel. We were a bit thrashed from climbing Honeymoon Chimney the day prior in nasty winds and my climbing partner was sick, so this seemed like the perfect objective. The amphitheater/arch are quite spectacular and it's worth the short hike even if you don't want to climb. We were there on a Sunday and it wasn't a zoo like some areas in Arches. The arch is ~5 min from the parking lot. No water/bathrooms so plan ahead. DIRECTIONS The easiest way to get to the arch is to turn right on Looking Glass Road (23 miles from central Moab on Hwy 191 south). If you hit Wilson Arch you've gone too far. Once on Looking Glass Road the side road to Looking Glass Rock is signed. The road is passable with 2WD or low clearance vehicles.

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    Looking Glass Arch
    Looking Glass Arch
    Looking Glass Arch

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    Colorado National Monument - hiking - Updated July 2026

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