Sophia May
Hiking In Monument Colorado – The Colorado National Monument is one of the most popular tourist attractions in western Colorado. With its spectacular red rock formations and winding gorges, it’s easy to see why. If you visit the monument, here are some must-sees – and they’re easy to see in one day!
If you love the outdoors and the environment, you’ve probably heard of John Muir. John Muir was one of the founders of the ecological land ethics movement. So John Otto, they say, also advocated for the preservation and protection of the Colorado National Monument area. Otto is mentioned in the park’s trail names and is an important figure in the creation of the Colorado National Monument.
Hiking In Monument Colorado
The Colorado National Monument was established in 1911 by the Otto administration of President Taft and the Antiquities Act.
Colorado National Monument: Desert Beauty And Outdoor Fun
We used to live in Grand Junction, Colorado and spent a lot of time here in all seasons. In fact, Pablo and I had an adventure at the Colorado National Monument!
We’ve written this guide so you can avoid the crowds, make the most of your time, and see as many sights and attractions as possible. “The Monument,” as the locals call it, is one of the most iconic places in Colorado that you’ve probably never heard of, and we’re going to share some of the things you shouldn’t miss.
It’s easy to visit the Colorado National Monument in one day! Let’s start on how to enjoy your trip.
You can enter the monument from the east or the west. The east entrance is on the Grand Junction side and the west entrance is on the Fruita side. To be fair, you have access to that too, but we think most of the route is the east side. So, prepare to be amazed!
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Start your day as early as possible to avoid crowds and beat the heat. In general, this park is not overcrowded with visitors and there is plenty of space to explore.
Enter Colorado National Monument from the east entrance at Grand Junction. You will start the loop via a slightly steep but paved road through high red rock sandstone country.
Along the way you can see the magnificent and almost indescribable majesty of the Monument and the blue sky along with various tours through the tunnels. Grand Junction is known for having lots of sunny days!
Rim Rock Drive is 23 miles long, has 19 viewpoints, and has access to 14 different hiking trails (more on hiking below).
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Travel tip: Keep your eyes open for road bikes! It is a very popular place for bicycles. very popular So if you want to cycle, bring your bike and start at sunrise.
The trip takes at least an hour, depending on how long it takes to take in the views, stops at 19 lookouts and several short day hikes.
Keep an eye out for some famous views like Cold Shivers Point, Red Canyon Overlook, Artists Point, Coke Ovens, Monument Canyon View, Grand View and Independence Monument View.
If you’re looking for a great place to take photos, the Colorado National Monument should be at the top of your list. With impressive rock formations and breathtaking views, the park offers plenty of photo opportunities.
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Read more about the amazing travel cameras we use these days to inspire your photography.
There are 14 roads in the region. Some are light and short, while others are long and perfect for backpacking.
There are several options for walking along the scenic route. Alternatively, you can plan a longer hike.
The following trail listings are not available on Rim Rock Scenic Drive. Access points are from the next street, Broadway (340).
Monument Canyon Trail
These hikes are listed on the backcountry list, but you don’t need a backcountry permit to do them as a day hike.
Leave no trace – The desert is near and dear to our hearts. Check out our page for tips on how to responsibly regenerate the desert and protect the biological layer of the Earth’s crust.
The Saddlehorn Visitor Center is located near the West or Fruita entrance. Here you will find brochures, information about walks and baths.
Below are approximate distances from several major cities to help you plan an epic road trip:
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No matter where you’re coming from, make sure you plan your road trip to arrive during the day so you can take in the beautiful scenery and navigate the winding roads.
Other questions you may have: What is the best time of year to visit Colorado National Monument?
The monument is open year-round, and Grand Junction’s winters are relatively mild, so you can visit year-round.
In our opinion, spring and autumn are the best times of the year to walk in nature. April-June and then October are the best times of the year to visit.
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Yes, it snows here. At elevations ranging from 4,700 feet to 7,028 feet, the area receives snow. Also take the altitude into account when planning your trip.
As with most national parks, pets are not allowed on any trail, including back roads. Dogs are allowed at the campground and on the paved trail.
But don’t worry, if you’re out with your best friend, there are plenty of options for walking your dog in BLM country. Western Colorado has some of the most epic desert public land in the United States!
To have the best time in Grand Junction, you’ll want to stay downtown. In the center of the city, you are within walking distance of boutique shops, local restaurants, bars and historic high streets.
Trip Report: Colorado National Monument — Hilary Hikes
If you want to see some of the most beautiful and impressive scenery in the United States, you must visit the Colorado National Monument. The park is located just outside of Grand Junction, and it’s easy to spend a day exploring the various canyons, mesas, and rock formations.
Ashley Fecino is an outdoor recreation and travel writer who shares the best-kept secrets you won’t find in your typical guidebook. Her goal is to inspire people to travel in search of adventure by sharing hidden gems in the US and beyond. She is married to an Argentinian expatriate named Pablo. They often camp in their Aliner and love to travel the world. Follow his latest adventures on Instagram @
We founded Happiness Feature to show how to find fulfillment in the outdoors through active living, hiking, camping and traveling in the US.
Happiness Function is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate programs, which are affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means to earn advertising fees for sites by advertising and linking to amazon.com and other websites affiliates. The trails of the Colorado National Monument offer many opportunities for hikers. Bird watchers and photographers alike will find the wonder that travels so far. Whether you stay here for an hour or a whole day, there is a hike for everyone. Walking distances range from 0.25 miles to 14 miles. Click here for a walking brochure.
Hiking The Colorado National Monument
Pets and bicycles are prohibited on all trails in the park. BLM sites near the monument have many options for pet-friendly hiking and biking trails. Visit their website for more information and directions.
There are no water sources on the paths inside the monument. It is a dry and desert environment. Passengers must carry all necessary water with them. One liter per person per day is the recommended minimum amount. A water fountain is located at the visitor center and A Campground Loop has water throughout the year.
A 3-year project to improve Upper Monument Canyon will begin on May 3, 2021. The work lasts about three months each year and lasts from the closure of the top of Monument Canyon on weekdays. Visit our projects page for more information and to schedule.
McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area – BLM, over 123,000 acres. Hiking, backpacking, camping, ATVs, horseback riding, mountain biking, boating, pet friendly, access to the Kokopelli Trail.
Echo Canyon Trail, Colorado National Monument, Colorado
The Colorado Riverfront Trail is a paved trail that connects Palisade to Fruita along the Colorado River. Walking, pet friendly, biking. ATVs or motorized vehicles are not permitted. Most national parks are known for what they contain. Mesa Verde has cliff dwellings, Yellowstone has geysers, and Glacier has glaciers (now). The beauty of Colorado National Monument (CNM), on the other hand, lies in what is missing: its canyons, monoliths, and impossibly-shaped rock formations are the remnants of massive rock faces eroded by wind, weather, and time.
It’s also happy and gone people. The 32-square-mile wilderness sees just 375,000 visitors a year, a million less than Utah’s Arches National Park. Perhaps this Colorado National Monument is not a national park, but rather a monument, a largely semantic distinction based largely on who it designates: Congress typically creates parks and presidents create monuments.
Of course, CNM’s relative desolation is not due to a lack of spectacular scenery. For those who know him well,
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