Entrance Fee
$25.00
/ Entrance - Private Vehicle
Park Hours (Today)
All Day
Saddlehorn Visitor Center: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Miza AI
Plan your Colorado trip
About the Park
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.
Ready to explore Colorado National Monument?
Take the stress out of planning. Our AI will automatically sequence your stops, find the best hotels, and optimize your driving time in seconds.
What to See & Do
Accessible Visit to Colorado National Monument
Explore accessible ways to visit Colorado National Monument, from visitor center features to short trails to overlooks into the canyons.
Short Hikes in the Monument
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.
Junior Ranger of the Monument
Become a Junior Ranger of Colorado National Monument by completing a booklet (pick up at Saddlehorn Visitor Center) to earn your badge.
Backpacking in the Monument
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.
Start at Saddlehorn Visitor Center
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 stamp.
Hiking from Saddlehorn Visitor Center
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. Come to the visitor center for an orientation film, Junior Ranger booklets, and more.
Self-Guided Tours
Walking/Driving Tour of Saddlehorn Historic District
This self-guided tour introduces you to some Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) (1933-1942) and Mission 66 (1956-1966) projects at Colorado National Monument. You may visit 9 locations. The CCC and Mission 66 locations will intertwine as you read about each stop. This can also be done by car. You do not have to visit the park to do this tour.
Walking Tour and Activity- ESCAPE to Colorado National Monument
Are you looking for an outdoor activity for kids and young adults that teaches resiliency and mindfulness in these uncertain times? You and the kids need to ESCAPE to YOUR National Parks! This tour should take 45 to 90 minutes. It includes activities and the chance to break the codes to ESCAPE. The tour follows the accessible portion of the Alcove Nature Trail directly across Rim Rock Drive from the Saddlehorn Visitor Center. The trail is 0.5 miles one-way. You do not have to visit the park to participate.
Visitor Centers
Saddlehorn Visitor Center
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. The visitor center includes educational exhibits, an information desk staffed with knowledgeable rangers and volunteers, an eighteen minute long movie, and a bookstore operated by Colorado National Monument Association.
Where to Stay
Saddlehorn Campground
All Saddlehorn Campground reservations, including same day, MUST be made online at www.recreation.gov. The campground is 4 miles from the west (Fruita) entrance. It is located in an area of Utah juniper and pinyon trees. Sites cost $22 a night, plus entry fee to Monument. One loop is open year-round. There are flush toilets, but no hookups or dump station. Each site has a picnic table and charcoal grill, no wood fires allowed. Max length is 40 feet for RVs, including both trailer and tow vehicle.
Getting Here & Transit
How to Get Here
Driving Westbound on Highway I-70 towards Grand Junction, Exit 31 (Horizon Drive). Follow signs through Grand Junction to the east entrance. The visitor center and campground are 19 miles from the east entrance. Eastbound on Highway I-70 take Exit 19 (Fruita). Turn south on Highway 340 to the west entrance, which is approximately three miles from Fruita. The visitor center and campground are four miles up from the west entrance.
Park Amenities
Entrance Fees & Passes
Standard Fees
Entrance - Private Vehicle
$25.00$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.
Entrance - Motorcycle
$20.00Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Entrance - Per Person
$15.00This pass is good for 7 days for an individual who is walking or bicycling into the monument.
Entrance - Non-commercial Groups
$15.00Organized 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. Pass and photo ID must be presented.
Entrance - Education/Academic Groups
$0.00Groups entering the park for educational purposes (curriculum-based classes or activities) may be eligible for a free academic fee wavier. Email COLM_permits@nps.gov to apply for a waiver or for more information.
Commercial Entrance - Sedan
$25.00Cost: $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.
Commercial Entrance - Van
$40.00The 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.
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus
$40.00The 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.
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
$100.00The 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.
Annual & Lifetime Passes
Annual Entrance - Park
$45.00Annual Pass for Colorado National Monument, valid for one year from month of purchase.
Operating Hours
Colorado National Monument
The Monument is open 24 hours a day year-round. Rim Rock Road is only closed for poor road conditions (snow, ice, rock fall, etc). For updates on storm or temporary closures call the park hotline at (970) 858-3617 ext 350.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Live Webcams
Click any camera to open the live feed on the NPS website.
Visitor Center
View from the Saddlehorn Visitor Center on Rim Rock Drive. On most days a small sliver of the visitor center roof is in the foreground, beyond that are the red rock cliffs of Wedding and Monument canyons. On a clear day, in the distance, one can see the Grand Mesa (one of the largest flat-topped mountains in the United States).
Saddlehorn Visitor Center Webcam
View from the Saddlehorn Visitor Center on Rim Rock Drive. On most days a small sliver of the visitor center roof is in the foreground, beyond that are the red rock cliffs of Wedding and Monument canyons. On a clear day, in the distance, one can see the Grand Mesa (one of the largest flat-topped mountains in the United States).
Photos
Two female desert bighorn sheep look to the right among rusty sandstones
a wide sandstone monolith stands next to cliffs on a misty, cloudy day with green shrubs below
Rock spire with large boulder balancing on top, blue skies above, green shrubs below.
lizard with turquoise body and yellow head lounges on sandstone with canyon cliffs in distance
When to Go
Crowd CalendarPlan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Build your Colorado itinerary
Tell Miza your dates, pace, and interests—get a day-by-day plan with hikes, drives, and must-see stops.
Best Time
May-September
Trip Length
1 day
Searching for the best hotel deals near Colorado National Monument...
Planning Colorado National Monument
These common questions go deeper into logistics and planning. For real-time updates on road closures and current conditions, always check the Alerts section above.