A Quick Guide to Colorado National Monument
Post Topic: Things to do in Colorado National Monument
Colorado National Monument is located right outside of Grand Junction, Colorado. Although it’s located in Colorado, it is much more similar to Utah in scenery & geological features. I honestly think Colorado National Monument was wrongfully placed in Colorado and should actually be found in Utah. But maybe that’s part of the reason that this place is so special.
The national monument is made up of many different canyons, a couple of the bigger and noteworthy canyons are Monument Canyon, Ute Canyon, and Red Canyon. Just about everywhere you look in the park, you’ll see magnificent views of red rock canyons.
Keep reading for tips and “must-sees” at Colorado National Monument!
Life Update from The Postcard Traveler
If you’ve been following along with The Postcard Traveler, you know that we left our home in Dallas in February and headed to Colorado for a month. Colorado National Monument was our last stop in Colorado. We spent 4 incredible weeks exploring Colorado and it was so wonderful, but we’ve since continued on our adventure and moved on to Utah!
Continue following along with The Postcard Traveler for so many Utah adventures! We’ve been in Utah for a couple of weeks now and have already done so many amazing things! I’ll be sharing content from those adventures over the next few weeks so don’t miss it.
The History of Colorado National Monument
In 1907, John Otto wrote “I came here last year and found these canyons, and they felt like the heart of the world to me. I’m going to stay… and promote this place because it should be a national park.”
John Otto found this desolate canyon located just southwest of Grand Junction, Colorado and immediately fell in love with it. So much so, that he decided stay in this wild but beautiful country. Not only did he settle in the canyon but he began petitioning Washington to establish this park as a national park.
After campaigning tirelessly for the canyon southwest of Grand Junction to be set aside as a national park, his dream finally came true in 1911 when the park officially became Colorado National Monument. He then became caretaker of the park until 1927, for only $1 a month. Because his love for this park was so strong, I’d imagine he would have done it for free.
Most of the trails in the park today, were built by Otto who truly desired to share this park with others. So it’s thanks to John Otto that we are able to enjoy this beautiful place!
How Long to Stay
Colorado National Monument can be easily seen in just a half-day. A few hours will allow you time to drive the scenic road and check out 1-2 of the trails. However, if you’re an avid hiker, you can easily find enough trails to keep you interested for 1-2 days.
Where to Stay
Many people stop by Colorado National Monument on their journey across I-70. But, if you’re wanting to stick around for a night or two, Grand Junction has many different accommodation options.
The national monument also has one campground, Saddlehorn Campground. The views from the campground look insane! If you have the time to camp here for a night, I’d definitely recommend you give it a try. I wish we had the time! You can check availability on Recreation.gov.
Drive the Scenic Road
You can see so much of Colorado National Monument from the comfort of your car! The Rim Rock Drive is a 23-mile scenic drive that climbs the Colorado River’s Grand Valley up into the high-country and then descends along the plateau rim. There are many great stops along the road to get out and admire the view. Some of my favorite overlooks are: Grand View, Monument Canyon View, Coke Ovens Overlook, Red Canyon Overlook, and Cold Shivers Point.
Although the road is only 23 miles long, plan at least an hour to an hour and a half as the speeds on the road are slow moving. And you’ll want to stop a few times at the different overlook spots.
Hiking Trails in Colorado National Monument
There are 45 miles of trails in Colorado National Monument that allow visitors to really take in the beauty and wonder of the park. You can find just about every length and difficulty of trail – so there’s something for everyone.
We, unfortunately, only had time to hike one trail during our quick visit, but we thoroughly enjoyed it! We hiked the Devils Kitchen trail and I’d highly recommend it as well as checking out the other trails in the park. I so wish that we had the time to hike all of them!
The trail recommendations that I have listed below are based on information from the NPS and other reviews that I’ve read.
Devil’s Kitchen
We loved this trail! The trail is only 3/4 mile one-way (1.5 miles RT) but provides incredible views of the canyon and also features very interesting rock formations. The first half of the trail is a gentle walk on a gravel trail and then becomes a moderately difficult rock scramble to the top of Devils Kitchen which is a naturally occurring rock room.
Window Rock Trail
The Window Rock Trail is a level loop trail that leads through a pinyon-juniper woodland to an overlook of the canyon. From here, you can see views of both Monument & Wedding Canyons. You’ll also see views of Window Rock, a hole carved out of a crack in the canyon wall formed by erosion. The trail is only 0.5 miles round trip and is perfect for everyone!
Monument Canyon/Wedding Canyon Loop Trail
If you’re seeking a longer trail, consider combining the Monument Canyon Trail with the Wedding Canyon Trail. Making this loop, you’ll hike approximately 5 miles round trip and have an elevation change of roughly 767 feet. Consider hiking the trail in a counter-clockwise direction to get the elevation change out of the way sooner. To find more information on this trail, check out the trail profile on AllTrails.
What to Pack for Colorado National Monument
1. Good Hiking Shoes
Colorado National Monument is home to some pretty beautiful red rocks. But it also makes for some pretty rocky trails.
When hiking around Colorado National Monument, it’s super important to wear sturdy hiking shoes or sandals on the trails. I wear brands like Merrell Moab 2 Mid Ventilator, Teva Universal Trail (trail sandal), and Timberland Mt. Maddsen Mid Waterproof. My husband, who is very prone to ankle injuries, wears Salomon X Ultra Low GTX and swears by them.
I love being able to switch between a solid hiking boot and a trail sandal with excellent traction on the easier hike. I’m very prone to blisters and having different shoes to change into makes a world of difference.
2. Water Bottle & Hydration pack
Colorado National Monument is in a desert, so it’s important to stay hydrated on hiking trails. Especially if you’re traveling during the hot summer season!
To keep your drink extra cold, go with a Hydroflask, which is vacuum-sealed and keeps your liquids cold for up to 24 hours. If you’re looking for something a bit more lightweight, go with the traditional Nalgene.
On longer hikes, fill up your Ospry Hydraulics Reservoir to keep your water easily accessible & hands free. My favorite day pack that accommodates a hydration bladder is the Osprey Mira 22 Hydration Pack.
3. Trail Snacks
Colorado National Monument has some incredible hiking trails so make sure you bring enough energy-boosting food to get you through the day.
Some of our favorite trail snacks are the traditional PB&J, grapes, trail mixes, Go Macro Bars, and RX Bars.
4. Sunscreen and Sun Protection
The sun in Colorado National Monument is INTENSE. Protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen. This Sun Bum sunscreen is so light and easy to fit in your pack. Also, it’s super protective against the sun. It’s also reef friendly, so save it for your next trip to the beach!
In addition to sunscreen, make sure you protect your face with a sun hat. I really enjoy wearing this Vintage Style Cap from Amazon. It has tons of colors to choose from, I’ve been loving the yellow.
Sunglasses are never a bad idea, either.
5. Lightweight & Moisture-Wicking Clothes
Make sure to choose moisture-wicking clothing (aka NOT cotton), to pull the sweat away from your body and stay cool and dry while hiking.
These Icebreaker T-Shirts have been a favorite of mine recently, they’re excellent at keeping you dry. And the best part is that they don’t stink even after a long sweaty day on the trail!
6. Lots of Layers
Depending on when you visit Colorado National Monument, you may encounter cooler than expected temperatures. Especially during an early morning or late evening hike. Don’t forget to pack a jacket for your trip.
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Backpacking the Blue Lakes Trail: A Hiker’s Guide
10 Hiking Spots Near Denver to Check Out this Spring
Hidden Gems Near Colorado Springs
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