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.
Alerts
- CautionNPS ↗Year-round Fire Restrictions in Effect
Smoking is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle. Fireworks and wood fires are always prohibited. Charcoal fires only allowed in designated grills. Visit our Fire Safety page for more info.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedTransfer Rd Rx
49 mi from the park's reference point · 139 acres
Within 50 miles, as of 2026-10-14. Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Check the park's alerts and the managing office before you drive.
Fees & passes
| Type | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Private Vehicle$25 for a private vehicle. Unlimited entry for one vehicle and all its passengers for seven consecutive days, beginning on the day of purchase. Private vehicle must be non-commercial and with a seating capacity of 15 or less. | $25 | |
| MotorcycleValid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. | $20 | |
| Per PersonThis pass is good for 7 days for an individual who is walking or bicycling into the monument. | $15 | |
| Non-commercial GroupsOrganized groups such as Scouts, Rotary, Hiking Clubs, Youth Groups, Religious Institutions, etc. that do not qualify for an Academic Fee Waiver are charged as follows: $15 per person, not to exceed the equivalent commercial rate. Passes are valid for 7 days. Youth ages 15 and under are free. Individuals or families in the group may use any valid Annual or Lifetime pass for entry. | $15 | |
| Education/Academic GroupsGroups entering the park for educational purposes (curriculum-based classes or activities) may be eligible for a free academic fee wavier. Email [email protected] to apply for a waiver or for more information. | Free | |
| Commercial tours · by vehicle capacity | ||
| SedanCost: $25, plus $15 per person to a maximum of $40. The entry fees for commercial tours are based on the total capacity of vehicles that carry 7 or more people, regardless of the actual number of passengers. Possession of an annual or lifetime pass, or the ages of the passengers, does not affect the price charged unless the vehicle's capacity is less than 7 passengers, excluding the driver. | $25 | |
| VanThe entry fees for commercial tours are based on the total capacity of vehicles that carry 7 or more people, regardless of the actual number of passengers. Possession of an annual or lifetime pass, or the ages of the passengers, does not affect the price charged unless the vehicle's capacity is less than 7 passengers, excluding the driver. | $40 | |
| Mini-busThe entry fees for commercial tours are based on the total capacity of vehicles that carry 7 or more people, regardless of the actual number of passengers. Possession of an annual or lifetime pass, or the ages of the passengers, does not affect the price charged unless the vehicle's capacity is less than 7 passengers, excluding the driver. | $40 | |
| Motor CoachThe entry fees for commercial tours are based on the total capacity of vehicles that carry 7 or more people, regardless of the actual number of passengers. Possession of an annual or lifetime pass, or the ages of the passengers, does not affect the price charged unless the vehicle's capacity is less than 7 passengers, excluding the driver. | $100 | |
| Passes | ||
| Annual Entrance - ParkAnnual Pass for Colorado National Monument, valid for one year from month of purchase. | $45 | |
Hours
| Colorado National Monument | Daily · All Day |
When to go
May draws the most visits here and January the fewest, averaged over 2021 to 2025.
Campgrounds
| Saddlehorn Campground | 80 sites | |
| $22 a night · B Loop is open year-round. A Loop was opened March 19, 2026, but is typically open from April 1 to October 29. · 51 reservable, 29 first-come | ||
Every campground here has its own page on Campsite Atlas, with site counts, hookups, rig limits and booking windows. All of them on one page → How park camping works
Visitor centers
- Saddlehorn Visitor Center ↗Passport stamp
For first hand information, maps, and brochures, the visitor center is a good place to start your adventure. It is located four miles from the Fruita Entrance and near Saddlehorn Campground. It is open every day except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day.
Explore
Things to do
- Accessible Visit to Colorado National Monument2-4 Hours
Explore accessible ways to visit Colorado National Monument, from visitor center features to short trails to overlooks into the canyons.
Opens on the Park Service site - Short Hikes in the Monument20-60 Minutes
These out-and-back trails start from along scenic Rim Rock Drive in Colorado National Monument. All are less than two miles round-trip, perfect for short treks from the car to get better views of these outstanding canyons.
Opens on the Park Service site - Junior Ranger of the Monument20-60 Minutes
Become a Junior Ranger of Colorado National Monument by completing a booklet (pick up at Saddlehorn Visitor Center) to earn your badge.
Opens on the Park Service site - Backpacking in the Monument1-7 Days
Backpacking or backcountry camping in the Monument is a great way to deepen your visit with the canyons. Monument, No Thoroughfare, and Ute Canyons, as well as Black Ridge and Monument Mesa, are excellent areas for overnights in the backcountry.
Opens on the Park Service site - Start at Saddlehorn Visitor Center15-60 Minutes
Begin your visit to Colorado National Monument at the visitor center. Watch the orientation film, explore the exhibit hall, shop for souvenirs at the park store, talk with a ranger, earn your Junior Ranger badge, and get your National Parks Passport…
Opens on the Park Service site - Hiking from Saddlehorn Visitor Center1-8 Hours
These hikes can be accessed from the visitor center. Several short hikes to incredible views begin here, as well as a longer trail perfect for a night in the backcountry.
Opens on the Park Service site
Show all 12Hide
- Hiking in Colorado National Monument15-360 Minutes
Colorado National Monument trails offer a hike for everyone from 0.25 mile to over 14 miles, from flat accessible surfaces to rugged canyons.
Opens on the Park Service site - Road Biking on Rim Rock Drive2-5 Hours
Road biking the 23-mile Rim Rock Drive offers cyclists a challenging ride with stunning views.
Opens on the Park Service site - Travel on Rim Rock Drive2-4 Hours
For panoramic views of Colorado National Monument's canyons and rock monoliths, a trip along Rim Rock Drive is a must.
Opens on the Park Service site - Monument Canyon Loop Hike4-6 Hours
This 5-mile loop can be extended for a deeper exploration into Monument Canyon. We recommend starting at the Lower Monument Canyon Trailhead to avoid the steep switchbacks below Rim Rock Drive.
Opens on the Park Service site - Hiking from Devils Kitchen Picnic Area1-8 Hours
Many incredible hikes begin just inside the East Entrance to the Monument. Choose from short day hikes to longer, more difficult backcountry travel.
Opens on the Park Service site - Climbing in the Monument
The sandstone cliffs and spires of Colorado National Monument attract hundreds of climbers a year. Most routes in the park require "traditional" climbing techniques. The installation of new permanent hardware is prohibited.
Opens on the Park Service site
Films
National Park Service productions, public domain.
Webcams
Camera images load live from the National Park Service and partner agencies
Events
- Creating this Monument10/1509:00 AM · free
- Archaeology Day10/1711:00 AM · free
- Geology of the Monument10/2409:30 AM · free
- Up Close and Personal10/2401:30 PM · free
News
- Fire Restrictions Increase in Colorado National Monument ↗2026-06-11
Colorado National Monument, along with surrounding public lands, is experiencing hazardous fire conditions with dry fuels, low humidity, and minimal precipitation.
Map
Interactive map by the National Park Service
On the National Register nearby
- Devils Kitchen Picnic ShelterBuilding · Grand Junction · 3.4 mi
- Saddlehorn Caretaker's House and GarageBuilding · Grand Junction · 4.2 mi
- Saddlehorn Utility Area Historic DistrictHistoric district · Grand Junction · 4.3 mi
- Pipe Line SchoolBuilding · Glade Park · 4.5 mi
Public land nearby
Distances are approximate. Wilderness Atlas publishes a center point and an acreage for each area rather than a boundary, so each area is treated here as a circle of the same size and the figure is the gap to that circle.
Forest Service trails nearby
These trails are outside the park on National Forest land, within 15 miles of Colorado. Each one opens on Trailhead Atlas.
Distance is measured from the park's reference point to the nearer end of the trail.
Guidebooks for Colorado's national parks
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Local history books for Colorado National Monument
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject.
Reference
Wildlife
Seen this monthNorth American River Otter 7× · Bighorn Sheep 7× · American Black Bear 3× · Belted Kingfisher 2× · Bald Eagle 1× · Osprey 1×Research-grade observations within 25 km, last 30 days, via iNaturalist
Full checklist: 164 birds, 53 mammalsHide
Raptors & owlsAmerican Kestrel · Bald Eagle · Barn Owl · Burrowing Owl · Cooper's Hawk · Ferruginous Hawk · Golden Eagle · Great Horned Owl · Long-eared Owl · Merlin · Northern Harrier · Northern Pygmy-Owl · Northern Saw-whet Owl · Osprey · Peregrine Falcon · Prairie Falcon · Red-tailed Hawk · Rough-legged Hawk · Sharp-shinned Hawk · Swainson's Hawk · Turkey Vulture · Western Screech-owl · Zone-tailed Hawk
Waterfowl & wadersGreat Blue Heron
Shorebirds & seabirdsKilldeer · Wilson's Snipe
Gamebirds & dovesBand-tailed Pigeon · Blue Grouse · Eurasian Collared-Dove · Gambel's Quail · Mourning Dove · Ring-necked Pheasant · Rock Dove · Wild Turkey
WoodpeckersHairy Woodpecker · Lewis's Woodpecker · Northern Flicker · Red-naped Sapsucker · Williamson's Sapsucker
Hummingbirds & swiftsBlack-chinned Hummingbird · Broad-tailed Hummingbird · Magnificent Hummingbird · Rufous Hummingbird · Vaux's Swift · White-throated Swift
Also on the checklistAmerican Crow · American Goldfinch · American Pipit · American Robin · American Tree Sparrow · Ash-throated Flycatcher · Bank Swallow · Barn Swallow · Belted Kingfisher · Bewick's Wren · Black Rosy-Finch · Black-and-white Warbler · Black-billed Magpie · Black-capped Chickadee · Black-chinned Sparrow · Black-headed Grosbeak · Black-throated Gray Warbler · Black-throated Sparrow · Blue Grosbeak · Blue-gray Gnatcatcher · Bohemian Waxwing · Brewer's Blackbird · Brewer's Sparrow · Brown Creeper · Brown-capped Rosy-Finch · Brown-headed Cowbird · Bullock's Oriole · Bushtit · Canyon Wren · Cassin's Finch · Cassin's Vireo · Cedar Waxwing · Chipping Sparrow · Chukar · Clark's Nutcracker · Cliff Swallow · Common Nighthawk · Common Poorwill · Common Raven · Common Yellowthroat · Cordilleran Flycatcher · Dark-eyed Junco · Dusky Flycatcher · Eastern Bluebird · Eastern Kingbird · European Starling · Evening Grosbeak · Golden-crowned Kinglet · Grace's Warbler · Gray Catbird · Gray Flycatcher · Gray Vireo · Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch · Green-tailed Towhee · Hammond's Flycatcher · Hermit Thrush · Horned Lark · House Finch · House Sparrow · House Wren · Juniper Titmouse · Lark Sparrow · Lazuli Bunting · Lesser Goldfinch · Lincoln's Sparrow · Loggerhead Shrike · MacGillivray's Warbler · Mallard · Mountain Bluebird · Mountain Chickadee · Northern Goshawk · Northern Mockingbird · Northern Rough-winged Swallow · Northern Shrike · Olive-sided Flycatcher · Orange-crowned Warbler · Oregon Junco · Pine Grosbeak · Pine Siskin · Pink-sided Junco · Pinyon Jay · Plumbeous Vireo · Red Crossbill · Red-breasted Nuthatch · Red-winged Blackbird · Rock Wren · Rose-breasted Grosbeak · Ruby-crowned Kinglet · Sage Thrasher · Sagebrush Sparrow · Savannah Sparrow · Say's Phoebe · Scott's Oriole · Slate-colored Junco · Song Sparrow · Spotted Towhee · Steller's Jay · Townsend's Solitaire · Townsend's Warbler · Tree Swallow · Vermilion Flycatcher · Vesper Sparrow · Violet-green Swallow · Virginia's Warbler · Warbling Vireo · Western Bluebird · Western Kingbird · Western Meadowlark · Western Tanager · Western Wood-Pewee · White-breasted Nuthatch · White-crowned Sparrow · Willow Flycatcher · Wilson's Warbler · Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay · Yellow Warbler · Yellow-breasted Chat · Yellow-rumped Warbler
Small mammalsBlack-tailed Jackrabbit · Botta's Pocket Gopher · Brush Mouse · Bushy-tailed Woodrat · Canyon Mouse · Crawfords' Desert Shrew · Deer Mouse · Desert Cottontail · Hopi Chipmunk · House Mouse · Least Chipmunk · Long-tailed Vole · Mexican Woodrat · North American Porcupine · Northern Grasshopper Mouse · Ord's Kangaroo Rat · Pinon Mouse · Plains Pocket Mouse · Rock Squirrel · Western Harvest Mouse · White-tailed Antelope Squirrel · White-tailed Jackrabbit · Yellow-bellied Marmot
PredatorsAmerican Badger · American Black Bear · Bobcat · Coyote · Gray Fox · Long-tailed Weasel · Mountain Lion · Northern Raccoon · Red Fox · Ringtail · Striped Skunk · Western Spotted Skunk
Hoofed mammalsBighorn Sheep · Elk · Mule Deer
BatsBig Brown Bat · Big Free-tailed Bat · Brazilian Free-tailed Bat · California Myotis · Canyon Bat · Fringed Myotis · Hoary Bat · Little Brown Myotis · Long-eared Myotis · Long-legged Myotis · Pallid Bat · Silver-haired Bat · Townsend's Big-eared Bat · Western Small-footed Bat · Yuma Myotis
Activities
Activity guides for this park Camping in the national parks · Hiking in the national parks · Rock climbing in the national parks · Wildlife watching in the national parks
Weather & climate
Spring: Daytime high temperatures 70-85 F (21-30 C), nighttime low temperature 30-50 F (-1 - +10 C). Summer: Daytime high temperatures can reach 100 F (38 C), afternoon thunderstorms common. Fall: Similar to spring temperatures, sudden changes in weather common. Snow can occur in October. Winter: Daytime highs vary from 10 - 45 F (-12 - +7 C). Snow common, patches of snow and ice stay around most of the winter.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Colorado?
Entrance is $25 per private vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, and $15 per person on foot or bike. $25 for a private vehicle.
Source: National Park Service
Which passes work at Colorado?
The $80 America the Beautiful pass covers the entrance fee here, and a Colorado-only annual pass is $45.
Source: Is the pass worth it
Can I pay the entrance fee in cash?
No. Colorado takes cards only at the entrance.
Source: National Park Service
When is entrance to Colorado free?
Next on October 27, Theodore Roosevelt's birthday. 2 fee-free days are left this year, for US residents only.
Source: Free entrance days
Do I need a reservation to enter Colorado?
No. There is no timed-entry or entrance reservation at Colorado. Camping and some tours have their own reservations.
Source: National Park Service
Is Colorado open year-round?
Yes. The grounds are open 24 hours a day, year-round.
Source: National Park Service
Can I camp in Colorado?
Yes. The Park Service lists 1 campground in Colorado: Saddlehorn. 1 takes reservations through Recreation.gov.
Do any Colorado campgrounds have hookups or showers?
No. None of the 1 listed campgrounds report showers, electric hookups, or a dump station.
Source: Campgrounds
Do camping fees at Colorado include the entrance fee?
No. Camping is charged per night on top of the entrance fee or a pass; Saddlehorn is $22 a night.
Source: Campgrounds
Is anything closed at Colorado right now?
1 active alert as of October 14, 2026: Year-round Fire Restrictions in Effect.
Source: Alerts
How busy is Colorado?
483,436 recreation visits in 2025, number 116 of 387 units that report visitation.
Source: Most visited parks
Is there cell service at Colorado?
At the park's reference point, FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 5G. No reported coverage for T-Mobile. Coverage inside the park varies by location.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
Follow this park
- Alerts feed (RSS)
- Every active Park Service alert for this unit, one item each, rebuilt with the nightly data refresh.
- Add dates to your calendar (.ics file)
- Fee-free entrance days that apply here and each published hours exception, as all-day events.
More in Colorado
