Colorado National Monument in short
The Monument is a National Park Service area of red sandstone canyons near Grand Junction. Rim Rock Drive crosses it for 23 miles, from the east entrance near Grand Junction to the west entrance at Fruita. President William H. Taft established the Monument on 24 May 1911, after John Otto built trails and campaigned for its protection.
The park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but weather and events can close the road. The park gives a road hotline: 970-858-3617, extension 350. NPS suggests at least 1 hour for the drive itself, plus time at the viewpoints.
Rim Rock Drive and viewpoints
How to drive the road, and what to watch for.
Colorado National Monument Rim Rock Drive
Start at either entrance. The road has 3 tunnels, and the posted height limit is 16 feet, so follow the signs. Watch for rockfall and bighorn sheep on the road.
Cycling
The road has no shoulder and steep drop-offs, so ride single file. In tunnels you need a white front light visible for 500 feet and a red rear light visible for 200 feet, and passing is not allowed. Bikes and e-bikes stay on roads, not trails. There is no e-bike charging in the Monument.
Visitor center
The Saddlehorn Visitor Center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from April to September. It closes on Thanksgiving, 25 December and 1 January. Check the closing time on the day.
Our pick: sunset ride toward the Monument
A guided evening ride with views toward Colorado National Monument. Ask before booking whether any park entry is part of it.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Colorado National Monument tours
Guided trips along Rim Rock Drive and into the canyons, with live prices and availability.
Entry fees and passes in 2026
One ticket covers 7 consecutive days.
| How you enter | Fee (2026) |
|---|---|
| Private vehicle | $25, covers the occupants |
| Motorcycle | $20 |
| On foot or by bike | $15 per person aged 16 and older, under 16 free |
| Monument annual pass | $45, for US citizens and residents |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | $250 if you do not live in the US, $80 for US residents |
The America the Beautiful pass is accepted at the Monument. Since 2026, free-entry days apply only to US residents. If you visit several national parks in one trip, the pass can pay off. For a single visit, the $25 vehicle ticket is simpler.
Colorado National Monument campground at Saddlehorn
Rules for staying overnight.
Saddlehorn costs $22 per site per night in 2026, in addition to the entry fee. Reserve every site through Recreation.gov, including same-day stays. Booking windows run 6 months, 2 weeks or the same day. Eligible senior or access pass holders pay $11 per night.
Loops
The B Loop is open all year. The A Loop is open from 1 April to 15 October. Length limits are 40 feet for A and B, including the tow vehicle, and 19 feet for C with no trailers.
Rules
The limit is 14 nights per calendar year. Wood fires are not allowed. You cannot sleep at viewpoints or picnic areas.
Safety and good habits
Short, practical points for the desert.
Stay at least 2 meters from canyon edges. Do not enter the seasonal pools, because sunscreen harms them, and keep your distance from wildlife: two bus lengths from large animals and 50 feet (15 m) from small ones. Flash floods are most likely from July to September but possible all year. For walks, see hiking in the Monument. Dogs may be on paved roads and in developed areas on a leash of 6 feet or less, not on trails.
Lodging near the Monument is covered on where to stay. The park's story starts on the history page.
Colorado National Monument: questions
How long does Rim Rock Drive take?
NPS suggests at least 1 hour for the drive, without stops. With viewpoints and a short hike, allow more time.
How much does it cost to enter?
$25 per vehicle in 2026, $20 for a motorcycle and $15 per person on foot or bike for visitors 16 and older. The ticket is valid for 7 days.
Can I camp in the Monument?
Yes, at Saddlehorn for $22 per night plus entry. Reserve through Recreation.gov. The A Loop closes on 15 October.
Are dogs allowed?
On paved roads and in developed camping and picnic areas, on a leash. Not on trails, even carried.
Is Colorado National Monument open in winter?
The park is open 24 hours a day, but snow, ice or rockfall can close parts of the road. Call the road hotline before you drive.