Colorado National Monument

sandstone spire hundreds of feet tall stands above sparsely vegetated canyon bottom and cliffs
Independence Monument as seen from Rim Rock Drive is an icon of the larger national monument.
Two female desert bighorn sheep look to the right among rusty sandstones
Desert bighorn sheep are often seen along Rim Rock Drive.
a wide sandstone monolith stands next to cliffs on a misty, cloudy day with green shrubs below
Independence Monument, and all our monoliths and canyons, change moods with the weather, seasons, and time of day.
Rock spire with large boulder balancing on top, blue skies above, green shrubs below.
Balanced Rock is one of many monoliths in the national monument easily seen from pullouts along Rim Rock Drive.
lizard with turquoise body and yellow head lounges on sandstone with canyon cliffs in distance
Collared lizards are one of many lizard species found in the monument.
Silhouette of twisted juniper tree as starry clusters of Milky Way rise vertically in dark night sky
Many clear nights allow for excellent dark sky viewing in most areas of the monument.
two people stand together at canyon cliff edge pointing to tree covered hills across the canyon
Canyon Rim Trail starts at Saddlehorn Visitor Center and provides a great introduction to this canyon landscape.
Looking down from canyon rim at a U shaped portion of road entering and exiting the canyon
Historic Rim Rock Drive was begun in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Photos: National Park Service

About Colorado National Monument

Colorado National Monument preserves one of the grand landscapes of the American West. But this treasure is much more than a monument. Towering monoliths exist within a vast plateau and canyon panorama. You can experience sheer-walled, red rock canyons along the twists and turns of Rim Rock Drive, where you may spy bighorn sheep and soaring eagles.

Quick Facts

State Colorado
Designation National Monument
State Code CO
Weather Spring: Daytime high temperatures 70-85 F (21-30 C), nighttime low temperature 30-50 F (-1 - +10 C). Summer: Daytime high temperatures can reach 100 F (38 C), afternoon thunderstorms common.…

Location & Map

Colorado National Monument is located in Colorado.

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle $25.00

$25 for a private vehicle. Unlimited entry for one vehicle and all its passengers for seven consecutive days, beginning on the day of purchase. Private vehicle must be non-commercial and with a seating capacity of 15 or less.

Entrance - Motorcycle $20.00

Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.

Entrance - Per Person $15.00

This pass is good for 7 days for an individual who is walking or bicycling into the monument.

Entrance - Non-commercial Groups $15.00

Organized groups such as Scouts, Rotary, Hiking Clubs, Youth Groups, Religious Institutions, etc. that do not qualify for an Academic Fee Waiver are charged as follows: $15 per person, not to exceed the equivalent commercial rate. Passes are valid for 7 days. Youth ages 15 and under are free. Individuals or families in the group may use any valid Annual or Lifetime pass for entry. Pass and photo ID must be presented.

Entrance - Education/Academic Groups $0.00

Groups entering the park for educational purposes (curriculum-based classes or activities) may be eligible for a free academic fee wavier. Email COLM_permits@nps.gov to apply for a waiver or for more information.

Commercial Entrance - Sedan $25.00

Cost: $25, plus $15 per person to a maximum of $40. The entry fees for commercial tours are based on the total capacity of vehicles that carry 7 or more people, regardless of the actual number of passengers. Possession of an annual or lifetime pass, or the ages of the passengers, does not affect the price charged unless the vehicle's capacity is less than 7 passengers, excluding the driver.

Commercial Entrance - Van $40.00

The entry fees for commercial tours are based on the total capacity of vehicles that carry 7 or more people, regardless of the actual number of passengers. Possession of an annual or lifetime pass, or the ages of the passengers, does not affect the price charged unless the vehicle's capacity is less than 7 passengers, excluding the driver.

Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus $40.00

The entry fees for commercial tours are based on the total capacity of vehicles that carry 7 or more people, regardless of the actual number of passengers. Possession of an annual or lifetime pass, or the ages of the passengers, does not affect the price charged unless the vehicle's capacity is less than 7 passengers, excluding the driver.

Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach $100.00

The entry fees for commercial tours are based on the total capacity of vehicles that carry 7 or more people, regardless of the actual number of passengers. Possession of an annual or lifetime pass, or the ages of the passengers, does not affect the price charged unless the vehicle's capacity is less than 7 passengers, excluding the driver.

Operating Hours

The Monument is open 24 hours a day year-round. Rim Rock Road is only closed for poor road conditions (snow, ice, rock fall, etc). For updates on storm or temporary closures call the park hotline at (970) 858-3617 ext 350.

Wednesday All Day
Monday All Day
Thursday All Day
Sunday All Day
Tuesday All Day
Friday All Day
Saturday All Day

Activities

Auto and ATV Scenic Driving Biking Road Biking Camping Backcountry Camping Car or Front Country Camping Climbing Rock Climbing Food Picnicking Hiking Backcountry Hiking Front-Country Hiking Junior Ranger Program Wildlife Watching Park Film Shopping Bookstore and Park Store

Getting There

Driving Westbound on Highway I-70 towards Grand Junction, Exit 31 (Horizon Drive). Follow signs through Grand Junction to the east entrance. The visitor center and campground are 19 miles from the east entrance. Eastbound on Highway I-70 take Exit 19 (Fruita). Turn south on Highway 340 to the west entrance, which is approximately three miles from Fruita. The visitor center and campground are four miles up from the west entrance.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

Address 1750 Rim Rock Drive, Fruita, CO, 81521
Phone 9708582800

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park $45.00

Annual Pass for Colorado National Monument, valid for one year from month of purchase.

Topics & Themes

Schools and Education Transportation Roads, Routes and Highways Animals Canyons and Canyonlands Geology Scenic Views Trails

Things To Do

Accessible Visit to Colorado National Monument

Accessible Visit to Colorado National Monument

Explore accessible ways to visit Colorado National Monument, from visitor center features to short trails to overlooks into the canyons.

While driving or riding along Rim Rock drive, take time to stop at the overlooks and perhaps even take a…

Short Hikes in the Monument

Short Hikes in the Monument

These out-and-back trails start from along scenic Rim Rock Drive in Colorado National Monument. All are less than two miles…

Junior Ranger of the Monument

Junior Ranger of the Monument

Become a Junior Ranger of Colorado National Monument by completing a booklet (pick up at Saddlehorn Visitor Center) to earn…

Backpacking in the Monument

Backpacking in the Monument

Backpacking or backcountry camping in the Monument is a great way to deepen your visit with the canyons. Monument, No…

Start at Saddlehorn Visitor Center

Start at Saddlehorn Visitor Center

Begin your visit to Colorado National Monument at the visitor center. Watch the orientation film, explore the exhibit hall, shop…

Hiking from Saddlehorn Visitor Center

Hiking from Saddlehorn Visitor Center

These hikes can be accessed from the visitor center. Several short hikes to incredible views begin here, as well as…

Visitor Centers

Saddlehorn Visitor Center

For first hand information, maps, and brochures, the visitor center is a good place to start your adventure. It is located four miles from the…

Hours: Operating hours vary depending on the season. Winter hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and summer hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please call the visitor center at 970-858-2800 ext 360 for up-to-date information.

Campgrounds

Saddlehorn Campground

All Saddlehorn Campground reservations, including same day, MUST be made online at www.recreation.gov. The campground is 4 miles from the west (Fruita) entrance. It is…

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