Colorado National Monument Guide

Use our realistic Colorado National Monument Guide to plan your next adventure in this park.

Colorado National Monument is a park along a scenic drive. You can get amazing views of the red rock canyons right from your car.

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Sights & Places of Interest

Colorado National Monument has been a protected area for over 100 years. It became a monument in 1911. That was just 5 years after Devils Tower, the first monument in the US.

Colorado National Monument looks a lot like Utah’s Arches and Canyonlands. But this monument has its own charm.

Historic Rim Rock Drive is the main attraction of this park. All of the sights are along the scenic drive. The Rim Rock Drive covers 23 miles (37 km). Most of the drive is near the edge of the canyon.

There are only two entrances to this scenic drive, at each of its ends. You can explore the drive in either direction.

This Colorado National Monument Guide will describe an eastbound drive. It starts in Fruita and finishes in Grand Junction.

Fruita Canyon

The first few miles of the Rim Rock Drive go uphill. You will also pass through two tunnels. The winding road will bring you higher and higher above the valley.

There are a few viewpoints in this section of the Drive. But the first panoramic viewpoint is at the top of Fruita Canyon. It offers breathtaking views of the canyon and the valley below.

Pipe Organ

The park headquarters is at the Pipe Organ View, the next viewpoint. This area is also home to the Visitor Center and a campground. The Visitor Center has one of the four restrooms in the park.

This is your opportunity to hike some of the short trails in the park. Alcove Nature Trail, Window Rock, and Canyon Rim Trail all start at or next to this viewpoint.

The Rim Rock Drive starts to follow different canyons from this point on. The drive still climbs and descends.

But its elevation gain remains within 400 ft (125 m). It is much lower than the 950-ft (290-m) climb in the first 4 miles (6 km).

The Rim Rock Drive has a lot of viewpoints. The number of viewpoints make this drive similar to Shenandoah and Blue Ridge Parkway. Both are iconic scenic byways on the East Coast.

Independence Monument

The Independence Monument View is just a few miles from the Visitor Center. It provides a good view of the Independence Monument. This monument is one of the most famous sights in the entire park.

Grand View

You would want to drive a bit further to the Grand View. This viewpoint lives up to its name. It gives an iconic view of the Independence Monument.

The Monument is home to an Independence Day tradition. Climbers raise an American flag on top of the Monument every 4th of July. The park has a watch party for visitors who are less adventurous than the climbers.

Monument Canyon

The Rimrock Drive continues to the Monument Canyon View. This view pales in comparison to other viewpoints in the park. It is the best viewpoint to skip if you get tired of the endless stops.

Coke Ovens

You would soon need all the time you saved. This is because the next section of the Rim Rock Drive goes through the beautiful canyons.

You would want to stop at the next few viewpoints. The Coke Ovens Overlook is a perfect stop in the park.

Artists Point

The Artists Point View is another good viewpoint. Its name reflects the beauty of its formations.

The setup of this viewpoint is similar to the last stop. In fact, it looks like a slim version of the Coke Ovens.

The Rim Rock Drive will then pass a major trail crossing. Two backcountry trails start at this trailhead.

The Black Ridge Trail and Liberty Cap Trail are over 5.5 miles (8.8 km) each. You would need at least 3 hours to complete either of these trails. The trailhead has a small parking lot and a restroom.

Fallen Rock

You will start driving next to Ute Canyon after the trailhead. This canyon has four viewpoints over the course of 2.5 miles (4 km).

The Upper Ute Canyon Overlook and the Fallen Rock Overlook are within 0.3 miles (0.5 km) of one another. As you could guess, their views are quite similar.

If you are in a hurry, skip Upper Ute Canyon in favor of the Fallen Rock. This massive rock is certainly worth a stop.

Ute Canyon

You will pass the highest point on the Rim Rock Drive on your way to the Ute Canyon View. The scenic drive reaches 6,640 ft or 2,024 m.

You will get the best view of Ute Canyon at the Ute Canyon View. The path on the canyon floor is another backcountry trail. The Ute Canyon Trail continues for 7 miles (11.3 km).

Red Rock Canyon

You would have covered 3/4 of the Rim Rock Drive, when you get to Red Rock Canyon. This canyon has even steeper slopes than Ute Canyon.

There are no trails that go through it. You can only enjoy Red Rock Canyon from the viewpoint.

Cold Shivers

The Cold Shivers Point and Devils Kitchen Picnic Area are the last stops on the Rim Rock Drive.

Devils Kitchen got its name from a scenic formation. You can reach it from a trailhead by hiking 1.2-mi (1.9-km) round trip trail.

It is unclear what is behind the name of the Cold Shivers Point. But you might want to wear a layer or two just to be on the safe side. Remember that you will not need anything but a base base if you visit this viewpoint in the summer.

The Rim Rock Drive will drop nearly 1,700 ft (520 m) after the Cold Shivers Point. The Drive will bring you back to the valley in just 3.4 miles (5.5 km). You will enter the town of Grand Junction right after exiting the monument.

Continue with our Colorado National Monument Guide. You will learn more about ways to get to the sights, entrance requirements, and places to stay.

Getting to Colorado Monument

Colorado Monument is a park in Western Colorado. The park is along Interstate Highway I-70. It spans from Grand Junction to the small town of Fruita.

There are two entrances into Colorado National Monument.

• The West Entrance is near Fruita. It is closer to the park headquarters. This entrance is great for visiting the park from Utah.
• The East Entrance is near Grand Junction. This entrance is a good stop on the way from Black Canyon or Rocky Mountain.

Where to Stay near Colorado Monument

Grand Junction is an excellent choice for a place to stay when visiting Colorado National Monument.

This town is at the intersection of two major highways. Interstate Highway (I-70) and Highway US-50 meet in Grand Junction.

As a result, Grand Junction has a lot of affordable places to stay. But there are few options nearby if Grand Junction is not to your liking.

• You could continue east on I-70 to Rifle.
• You could drive south on US-50 to Montrose.
• Or you could drive to Moab, UT.

Yet, most of these towns will have less places to choose from than Grand Junction. On top of it, you will likely pay more for a place to stay there.

Entrance Requirements & Passes

Colorado Monument is open every day of the year. You can drive the Rim Rock Drive at any point during the day.

But things are different if you need an advice from a park ranger. The Visitor Center has short hours in the fall and winter. It is also closed during the major holidays.

You should not be surprised if there is no ranger on duty at the entrance gate. The next few hours will show you that the rangers take good care of this park. The Rim Rock Drive and its viewpoints are in good condition.

The monument charges entrance fees of $25 per vehicle. America the Beautiful annual pass will get you free admission.

Takeaways: Colorado National Monument

Colorado National Monument is a scenic park. Historic Rim Rock Drive is one of the best routes in the Southwest.

You will be driving on top of a few canyons. You will see impressive red rock canyons. The Independence Monument and Fallen Rock are the sights to see.

Sometimes you do not even need to leave your car to enjoy the view. But you would want to jump out to see more of this park.

Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours to complete the drive and stop at all viewpoints.

You will get the best views and pictures around noon. The reason is simple. You would not have to deal with the shadows. It is easier to get a good shot here midday than in the morning or close to the sunset.

It is hard to recommend Colorado National Monument over Canyonlands or Black Canyon. But you should not miss it if you travel on the I-70 and have a few hours to spare.

Take a look at our Colorado National Monument Video Guide. And visit our YouTube channel for the latest videos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Safe realist travels!