Colorado National Monument

Usual hours

• Mon–Sun 0:00–0:00

From 56 published days, 2026-10-21 to 2026-12-15; community-mapped.

About

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

This park's official page lists: Store / concessions.

This park's official page lists: Visitor center.

At the park

• Visitor center exhibit
• ATV / off-road activity
• Biking activity
• Camping activity
• Horseback riding activity
• Hunting activity
• Wildlife & bird watching scenic feature
• Hiking trails trail
• Boating water
• Fishing water
• Swimming water

Events

• Geology of the Monument
• Evening Program: Our Night Skies
• Up Close and Personal
• This Land is Your Land; This Land is My Land

Before you go

Limits

Yes, service dogs are legally permitted anywhere in a park that visitors can go

Getting there

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.

Weather & when to go

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.

⚠ Caution: 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.

Visitor center

Alcove Nature Trail (Colorado National Monument)

Visitor center

Alcove Nature Trail (Colorado National Monument)

Visitor center

CCC Era Campground C-Loop Restroom

Visitor center

Historic Tour Starting Point Saddlehorn Visitor Center

Visitor center

Historic Tour Starting Point Saddlehorn Visitor Center

Visitor center

Historic Tour Starting Point Saddlehorn Visitor Center

Visitor center

Historic Tour Starting Point Saddlehorn Visitor Center

Visitor center

Saddlehorn Campground Kiosk

Visitor center

Saddlehorn Visitor Center

Visitor center

Saddlehorn Visitor Center

Visitor center

Saddlehorn Visitor Center

Visitor center

Saddlehorn Visitor Center

Facilities on the park map

2 bench, 3 changing table, 1 defibrillator, 1 first aid kit, 7 picnic area, 12 restroom, 14 visitor information, 3 water fountain.

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 · 80 campsites · Accessibility: Campground loop road is paved and mostly level. One campsite in loop A is paved for wheel chair access. One campsite in Loop C is accessible. Restrooms are…