Colorado National Monument, United States

Colorado National Monument Travel Guide

Trek Zone

National park • Locality

Facts and practical information

Colorado National Monument, located in Mesa County, Colorado, is a breathtaking national park that offers visitors a unique and awe-inspiring experience. With its stunning red rock formations, deep canyons, and panoramic views, this park is a must-visit for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts.

The park covers an area of over 20,000 acres and is home to a diverse range of wildlife and plant species. Visitors can explore the park's many hiking trails, which wind through canyons and up to high overlooks, providing stunning vistas of the surrounding landscape. The popular Monument Canyon Trail takes hikers on a journey through towering rock formations and offers unparalleled views of the park's most iconic landmarks.

For those seeking a more thrilling experience, rock climbing and rappelling are popular activities in the park. The towering cliffs and sheer rock faces provide an exhilarating challenge for climbers of all skill levels. Adventurers can also explore the park on horseback or by mountain biking, taking in the rugged beauty of the landscape from a different perspective.

The Colorado National Monument is not only a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts but also a haven for wildlife. Visitors may spot bighorn sheep, mule deer, and a variety of bird species as they explore the park. The park's diverse ecosystems, from the desert floor to the high mesas, provide a habitat for a wide range of animals and plants.

In addition to its natural wonders, the Colorado National Monument offers visitors a glimpse into the region's rich history and cultural heritage. The park is home to several ancient Native American rock art sites, where visitors can learn about the ancient peoples who once inhabited the area. The Visitor Center provides educational exhibits and information about the park's geology, wildlife, and history, making it a great starting point for any visit.

Alternative names: Established: 24 May 1911 (113 years ago)Visitors per year: 375 thous.Elevation: 6093 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 39°3'1"N, 108°41'28"W

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ColoradoUnited States

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Colorado National Monument Top Attractions

Colorado National Monument Attractions - What to See and Explore

Colorado National Monument offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Grand View Spire, Coke Ovens, Pipe Organ, Terra Tower. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Rock
Grand View Spire
Grand View Spire is a 5,821-foot-elevation sandstone pillar located in Colorado National Monument, in Mesa County of western Colorado, United States.
Rock
Coke Ovens
Coke Ovens is a 5,962-foot-elevation linear set of pillars located in Colorado National Monument, in Mesa County of western Colorado, United States. This iconic landmark is situated on the west side of Monument Canyon, two miles south of the monument's visitor center, and 9 miles west of the community of Grand Junction.
Rock
Pipe Organ
Pipe Organ is a 5,731-foot-elevation sandstone pillar located in Colorado National Monument, in Mesa County of western Colorado, United States.

Rock
Terra Tower
Terra Tower is a 5,790-foot-elevation sandstone pillar located in Colorado National Monument, in Mesa County of western Colorado, United States.
Rock
Sentinel Spire
Sentinel Spire is a 5,500-foot-elevation sandstone pillar located in Colorado National Monument, in Mesa County of western Colorado, United States.
39°6'9"N • 108°43'59"W
Saddlehorn
The Saddlehorn Caretaker's House and Garage, also known as the Stone House, the Rock House, and the Superintendent's Quarters is a house and asset listed as part of the National Register of Historic Places located in the Colorado National Monument.
39°6'17"N • 108°44'24"W
Saddlehorn Comfort Station
The Saddlehorn Comfort Station is one of a group of related structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Colorado National Monument.
39°6'5"N • 108°44'17"W
Saddlehorn Utility Area Historic District
The Saddlehorn Utility Area Historic District in Colorado National Monument comprises a complex of park service buildings, designed by the National Park Service Branch of Plans and Designs in the National Park Service Rustic style.
39°6'7"N • 108°43'52"W
Colorado National Monument Visitor Center Complex
The Colorado National Monument Visitor Center Complex is a group of structures in Colorado National Monument in Mesa County, Colorado, United States, that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Vernacular architecture
Devils Kitchen Picnic Shelter
The Devils Kitchen Picnic Shelter in Colorado National Monument was designed by Harvey H. Cornell, Jerome C. Miller and Kenneth M. Saunders of the National Park Service Branch of Plans and Design in 1940.
Neighbourhood • Rustic architecture
Rim Rock Drive
Rim Rock Drive is a scenic road in Colorado National Monument. The 23-mile drive follows the upper rim of a series of canyons, extending from the vicinity of Fruita, Colorado, in the west to near Grand Junction, Colorado, in the east, connecting points only 8 miles miles apart in a straight line.

Day trips

Colorado National Monument – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Colorado National Monument, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Egyptian Theatre (Delta), Rattlesnake Canyon (Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness), Dominguez–Escalante National Conservation Area.

40 milesSE
Concerts and shows, Cinema, Theater
Egyptian Theatre, Delta
The Egyptian Theatre in Delta, Colorado is an Egyptian Revival movie house. The 750-seat theater opened in 1928 at the height of the fashion for thematically-designed cinemas. It was designed by Montana Fallis, who designed the Mayan Theatre in Denver.
12 milesNW
Nature, Natural attraction, Canyon
Rattlesnake Canyon, Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness
Rattlesnake Canyon is a scenic area within the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness which in turn forms the core of the Bureau of Land Management administered McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area in west central Colorado.
27 milesSE
National park
Dominguez–Escalante National Conservation Area
The Dominguez–Escalante National Conservation Area is a 209,610-acre National Conservation Area located in western Colorado southeast of Grand Junction and northwest of Montrose.
7 miE
Botanical garden, Hiking trail, Park
Western Colorado Botanical Gardens, Grand Junction
The Western Colorado Botanical Gardens and Butterfly House is located at 15 acres cite on the bank of Colorado River at the southern end of 7th Street in Grand Junction, Colorado, United States.
39 milesSE
Historical place, Forts and castles
Fort Uncompahgre, Delta
Fort Uncompahgre was a fur trading post constructed in 1828 by Antoine Robidoux, a trader based out of Mexican Santa Fe. The post was situated about two miles down from the confluence of the Gunnison River and the Uncompahgre River, near the present day community of Delta, Colorado.