Colorado National Monument

Desert canyons and towering rock monoliths on the Colorado Plateau, near Grand Junction, reached by a scenic 23-mile drive.

1750 Rim Rock Drive, Fruita, CO 81521 · Fruita, CO

About Colorado National Monument

This National Park Service unit near Grand Junction protects sheer red canyon walls, freestanding rock monoliths, and high plateau terrain. Rim Rock Drive, a 23-mile road, climbs onto the mesa tops and follows the canyon edges, with pullouts for views of formations such as Balanced Rock and Independence Monument. Visitors often spot desert bighorn sheep and soaring eagles. Hiking, camping, road biking, and horseback riding are among the activities, and the Canyon Rim Trail begins at Saddlehorn Visitor Center. The area also offers strong dark-sky viewing on clear nights.

#canyons
#red rock
#scenic drive
#hiking
#camping

What's around here?

The closest stops to Colorado National Monument, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

Museums
History Buff
Atomic Legacy Cabin
No admission fee
Free interpretive center on the Cold War uranium mining history of the Colorado Plateau.
6.1 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums
Sports & Outdoors
Western Colorado Botanical Gardens
Under $25
A 15-acre botanical garden on the Colorado River in Grand Junction, with specialty gardens, a tropical rainforest house, and a butterfly house.
6.7 mi awayMore like this
Museums
Western Colorado Center for the Arts
Under $25
A regional arts center in Grand Junction known as The Art Center, with galleries, a permanent collection, classes, and a gift shop.
7.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums
Museums
Family Favorite
Dinosaur Journey
Under $25
Hands-on dinosaur and fossil museum with a working paleontology lab in Fruita.
Transit: reachable by public transit
8.1 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums
Sports & Outdoors
James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park
Under $25
A five-section state park strung along the Colorado River near Grand Junction, offering trails, fishing, picnic sites and camping.
12 mi awayMore like this
Sports & Outdoors
Highline Lake State Park
Under $25
Grand Valley state park built around a reservoir, with water recreation, trails, and bird and wildlife viewing near Grand Junction.
18 mi awayMore like this