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Colorado National Monument

Nature reserves & national parks ·Grand Junction
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#10Things to do in ColoradoTravelers' Choice 2025
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About

Colorado National Monument protects high desert canyons near Grand Junction, Colorado, with sandstone formations rising above the Colorado River valley.

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Colorado National Monument

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Why go

  • Independence Monument, the Kissing Couple and Coke Ovens in Monument Canyon
  • Rim Rock Drive, a 23-mile route through tunnels with canyon and sandstone viewpoints
  • Serpents Trail, which overlooks the monument and Grand Valley
  • Devil’s Kitchen’s roughly one-mile trail to a sandstone grotto

Don't miss

  • Independence MonumentA named rock formation in Monument Canyon; climbers raise a US flag here each July 4.Monument Canyon
  • The Kissing CoupleA named rock formation in Monument Canyon, passed by the roughly five-mile Monument Canyon Trail.Monument Canyon
  • Coke OvensNamed rock formations in Monument Canyon.Monument Canyon
  • Liberty CapAn ancient sand dune whose trail climbs from the valley floor to the monument rim.Monument rim
  • No Thoroughfare Canyon waterfallsSmall waterfalls appear during spring runoff; the canyon is dry much of the year.No Thoroughfare CanyonSpring

With kids

  • Devil’s Kitchen is a short hike suited to families with children.

Tips for your visit

  • Hike Serpents Trail, which has parking at both ends near Rim Rock Drive.
  • The roughly one-mile Devil’s Kitchen hike ends at a sandstone grotto near the eastern entrance.
  • Monument Canyon Trail runs about five miles and passes Independence Monument and the Kissing Couple.
  • Corkscrew Trail is the monument’s only loop trail, running about three miles past a small canyon and cliffs.
  • Rangers lead talks and guided walks.

Best time to visit

  • Cross-country skiing is sometimes possible on trails such as Liberty Cap in winter.

Know before you go

  • Summer storms can trigger flash floods and hazardous trail conditions.
  • Rattlesnakes and rough terrain occur on trails.

History

John Otto explored the canyons and built trails before helping secure national monument protection in 1911. He served as the first ranger until 1927.

  1. Historical periodThe area was part of the Ute people’s hunting grounds; they left rock art there.
  2. 1907John Otto began exploring the landscape and building trails onto the plateau and into the canyons.
  3. 1911President William Howard Taft proclaimed the area a national monument on May 24. Otto became its first ranger.
  4. 1929Plans began for Rim Rock Drive, later built with help from the Civilian Conservation Corps.

How to get there

  • CarThe western entrance is about four kilometres from Fruita.
  • CarThe eastern entrance is six kilometres from Grand Junction.
  • CarReach the lower Monument Canyon Trailhead from CO 340, also called Broadway.

Shorts

Interesting facts4

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  1. 610 metres

    The sandstone formations rise more than 610 metres above the Colorado River valley.

    Colorado National Monument - Wikipedia

  2. Cliffs provide habitat for nine kinds of raptors, including peregrine falcons and golden eagles.

    Colorado National Monument - Wikipedia
  3. 2000

    The monument has been an Important Bird Area since 2000 because of its importance to raptors.

    Colorado National Monument - Wikipedia

  4. The high desert plateau supports pinyon and juniper forests, bighorn sheep, coyotes and golden eagles.

    Colorado National Monument - Wikipedia

Sources: Colorado National Monument - Wikipedia · Colorado National Monument - Wikipedia · Colorado National Monument - Wikipedia · checked 27 Oct 2026

Where
CO, Colorado

Plan from here: Evening walk →

Questions and answers

How long does a visit to Colorado National Monument take?

The data gives trail lengths, including about one mile for Devil’s Kitchen and about five miles for Monument Canyon Trail, but no visit duration.

How do you get to Colorado National Monument from Fruita or Grand Junction?

The western entrance is about four kilometres from Fruita. The eastern entrance is six kilometres from Grand Junction.

Can children visit Colorado National Monument?

Devil’s Kitchen is described as a short hike suited to families with children.

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