In America there are many parks and natural beauties in remote areas that are not accessible by car (or rental car); in those cases we often have to stop, pick up our boots and start walking, or simply not go there; it is actually one of the few flaws of travel conceived exclusively as “a road trip”… however, don’t worry: today we won’t have this problem!
Colorado National Monument is a protected nature reserve crossed by the Historic Rim Rock Drive, a scenic byway of rare beauty, one of those scenic byways that give you everything, that you can enjoy directly from the car window (or on stopping at the many viewpoints available along the way). You can also walk a few trails if you wish, but rest assured that exploring this park by car won’t leave you feeling like you’ve missed out on the best!
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How to get to Colorado National Monument
As you can see from the map below, Colorado National Monument has 2 separate entrances, both of which give access to the parkway:
- West Entrance, near Fruita
- East Entrance, near Grand Junction
You can choose to access the Monument from either one depending on your itinerary. Keep in mind that Rim Rock Drive is a winding road that requires careful driving, with many bends, narrow sections, and a 1800-feet elevation gain (if you suffer from vertigo, park rangers recommend entering from the west side), however the challenging drive will be amply rewarded by wonderful viewpoints.
Rim Rock Drive: a scenic byway for thrills and spills
Rim Rock Drive is about 23 miles long and was built in 1930 by the Conservation Corps, public work that resulted in a road that blends beautifully with its natural surroundings. Along the way you’ll find no less than 19 scenic spots and 14 trails.
The best overlooks: where to stop?
Of the park’s 19 overlooks, here are the ones I recommend you don’t miss, in order, starting at the West Entrance:
Balanced Rock View: entering from the West Entrance, this is the second overlook (after Redlands View) where you’ll have a chance to stop. Park your car, take a short walk and you’ll reach a panoramic terrace that overlooks the cliff and from where you can admire Balanced Rock, a precariously balanced rock that will somehow seem familiar to those who have already visited Arches National Park.
Would you like to have a clearer idea of what awaits you? Here is an explanatory video:
Independence Monument View: after about 3.5 miles, on the left, you will find a parking area. Pull over and get ready to enjoy a beautiful view of the Independence Monument, a rocky pillar that stands alone in the valley, a very impressive landscape.
Grand View Overlook: get ready for the most majestic view of the Colorado National Monument, a reddish valley on which monoliths and rocky plateaus of various shapes are stood. It is a view that in some ways could remind you of Monument Valley. The overlook is just minutes from the previous one.
Coke Ovens Overlook: just 5 minutes from the Grand View, there is another fascinating view, another valley of red rock framed by imposing rock structures, including the dome-shaped Coke Ovens. Another opportunity to put your photography talents to the test.
Artists Point: Just 0.6 miles and you’ll be parked up again. Another memorable plateau awaits you, full of spires and pinnacles of red rock with the most bizarre designs, as if they were created by an artist’s hand (the name Artists Point is not accidental).
Ute Canyon View: take the car and drive about 6 miles to reach another viewpoint, where you can easily see both sides of the canyon.
Red Canyon Overlook: just under 0.6 miles away is another rest stop (on your left). This is one of the prettiest panoramic points of the park, that allows you to admire the Red Canyon in its entirety. Continuing on, after 6 miles, you will exit the park through the East entrance, which is reached after a very windy stretch.
Colorado National Monument Hiking Trails
Although the park is largely enjoyed from the scenic route, nothing prevents you from doing some hiking, to enjoy close-up views of canyons and special rock formations.
- Otto‘s Trail: a very short trail, just over a mile, but it will take you to a very scenic overlook, where you can see bizarre rock formations such as Independence Monument and Pipe Organs from another perspective. The trailhead is very close to the Independence Monument Viewpoint.
- Canyon Rim Trail: This is a half-mile trail (one mile round trip) that leads to the canyon rim and offers truly stunning views of Colorado National Monument’s most iconic rock formations. The hike can be extended by connecting to the Window Rock Trail. The trailhead is near the visitor center.
- Coke Ovens Trail: a short trail of just one mile that leads to the dome-shaped rock formations called Coke Ovens. To do this you’ll have to take the Monument Canyon Trail trailhead (mentioned below) and then detour after 200 yards to the right. The elevation gain is 150 feet.
- Monument Canyon Trail: the longest and most challenging of these four trails. The trailhead is near Coke Ovens Overlook and is six miles long. On this trail you’ll get close-up views of some striking rock monoliths, including Independence Monument, the largest rock monument in the entire park, and Kissing Couple, named for its shape like two people kissing.
Places to Stay in the surrounding area
The Colorado National Monument does not offer overnight accommodations, except for camping areas, however, as already mentioned, its 2 entrances are very close to the towns of Fruita and Grand Junction, the 2 best solutions for lodgings (especially the second one, which boasts a greater number of facilities):
- Fruita: 10 minutes by car from the West entrance: all accommodations available in town
- Grand Junction: 10-minute drive from East entrance: all accommodations available in town
