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.
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.
- Auto and ATV
- Scenic Driving
- Biking
- Road Biking
- Camping
- Backcountry Camping
- Car or Front Country Camping
- Climbing
- Rock Climbing
- Food
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Wildlife Watching
- Park Film
- Shopping
- Bookstore and Park Store
- Transportation
- Roads, Routes and Highways
- Animals
- Canyons and Canyonlands
- Geology
- Scenic Views
- Trails
Independence Monument
View of Independence Monument with Grand Valley in background. Taken from Rim Rock Rock Drive.
Monument Canyon
Monument Canyon
Colorado National Monument Visitor Center
Colorado National Monument Visitor Center
Rim Rock Drive
Rim Rock Drive was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).
Balanced Rock
Balanced Rock