National Monument

Colorado National Monument

Colorado National Monument is a National Monument in Colorado. The NPS currently lists 1 active alert, 1 campground and 1 visitor center; entrance fees start at $15.

Colorado National Monument America the Beautiful pass accepted

Updated · NPS Data API

sandstone spire hundreds of feet tall stands above sparsely vegetated canyon bottom and cliffs
Independence Monument View · Photo: NPS Photo (via nps.gov)

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.”

Active alerts

1

Closures

0

Campgrounds

1

Visitor centers

1

Current alerts and closures

1 active NPS alert as of Oct 28, 2026: 0 closures, 0 danger, 1 caution and 0 information.

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.

Posted or updated Sep 3, 2026 ·Details on nps.gov

Entrance fees and passes

Entrance fees
FeeCostDetails
Entrance - Private Vehicle$25$25 for a private vehicle. Unlimited entry for one vehicle and all its passengers for seven consecutive days, beginning on the day of purchase. Buy online
Entrance - Motorcycle$20Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. Buy online
Entrance - Per Person$15This pass is good for 7 days for an individual who is walking or bicycling into the monument. Buy online
Entrance - Non-commercial Groups$15Organized groups such as Scouts, Rotary, Hiking Clubs, Youth Groups, Religious Institutions, etc. Buy online
Entrance - Education/Academic GroupsFreeGroups entering the park for educational purposes (curriculum-based classes or activities) may be eligible for a free academic fee wavier.
Commercial Entrance - Sedan$25Cost: $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…
Commercial Entrance - Van$40The 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.
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus$40The 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.
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach$100The 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.
Park passes
PassCostBuy
Annual Entrance - Park$45Recreation.gov

The interagency America the Beautiful pass is accepted here.

Things to do

sunset turns canyon walls a vibrant red-orange
Photo: NPS Photo / N Scarborough

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.

1-7 Days Spring, Summer, Fall Reservation required

Backcountry Camping

A low, mostly flat building with a flagpole and shrubs, standing before a desert canyon
Photo: NPS Photo

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.

1-8 Hours Spring, Summer, Fall

Hiking

See all 13 things to do in Colorado →

Activities the NPS lists for Colorado.

Auto and ATVScenic DrivingBikingRoad BikingCampingBackcountry CampingCar or Front Country CampingClimbingRock ClimbingFoodPicnickingHikingBackcountry HikingFront-Country HikingJunior Ranger ProgramWildlife WatchingPark FilmShoppingBookstore and Park Store

Operating hours

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).

Colorado National Monument
DayHours
MondayAll Day
TuesdayAll Day
WednesdayAll Day
ThursdayAll Day
FridayAll Day
SaturdayAll Day
SundayAll Day

Weather: 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.

Contact and directions

Phone
9708582800
Email
[email protected]
Address
1750 Rim Rock Drive, Fruita, CO 81521
Coordinates
39.0505, -108.6921· View on OpenStreetMap

Official park page on nps.gov Directions

Visitor centers

Visitor centerStandard hoursPhonePassport stamp
Saddlehorn Visitor CenterDaily: 9:00AM - 5:00PM9708583617 ext. 360Yes

Campgrounds

CampgroundTotal sitesReservableFirst-comeRVsFeeReserve
Saddlehorn Campground805129Yes, up to 40 ft$22Recreation.gov

Site counts and fees are from the NPS campground data. Fees show the first listed rate; availability is not shown here — check the reservation site.

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More parks in Colorado

Amache National Historic SiteBent's Old Fort National Historic SiteBlack Canyon Of The Gunnison National ParkCalifornia National Historic TrailCurecanti National Recreation AreaDinosaur National MonumentFlorissant Fossil Beds National MonumentGreat Sand Dunes National Park & PreserveHovenweep National MonumentMesa Verde National ParkOld Spanish National Historic TrailPony Express National Historic TrailAll in Colorado

Nearest other NPS sites

Sources

  • Park details, alerts, fees and passes, visitor centers and campgrounds: National Park Service Data API, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
  • Official park page: https://www.nps.gov/colm/index.htm
  • Data: National Park Service (NPS) Data API, U.S. Department of the Interior (developer.nps.gov). This product uses the NPS Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the National Park Service. The National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior do not endorse OpenParks. Photos are NPS images shown with their original credits; park descriptions are short excerpts credited to the NPS. Always confirm current conditions on nps.gov before you travel.