Rate Colorado National Monument
Learn and Explore
Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.
We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.
Taking care of the national parks and helping Americans take care of their communities is a job we love, and we need—and welcome—your help and support.
Our Mission
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a park entrance pass?
Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
About this location:
National Monument
Operating Hours & Seasons
Colorado National Monument
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). For updates on storm or temporary closures call the park hotline at (970) 858-3617 ext 402.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:Open 24 hours
- Monday:Open 24 hours
- Tuesday:Open 24 hours
- Wednesday:Open 24 hours
- Thursday:Open 24 hours
- Friday:Open 24 hours
- Saturday:Open 24 hours
Fees & Passes
Entrance Fees:
- $15.00 – Private Non-commercial Vehicle Entrance Fee
Allows all people in one private non-commercial vehicle entrance into the Monument. Receipt good for 7 consecutive days. Entrance Fees are paid at the entrance station by credit card, cash or by check. - $10.00 – Motorcycle Entrance Fee
Allows driver and passenger of one motorcycle entrance to the Monument. Receipt is good for 7 consecutive days. Entrance Fees are paid at the entrance station by credit card, cash or by check. - $5.00 – Individual Entrance Fee (Hiker, Bicyclist)
Allows one person, 16 years of age and older, entrance to the Monument. Typically this covers hikers and bicyclists. Receipt is good for 7 consecutive days. Entrance Fees are paid at the entrance station or in self-serve stations at trail heads by credit card, cash or by check. - $40.00 – Commercial Entrance Fee – Sedan
A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization. The entry fees of commercial tours are based upon the total capacity of vehicles that can carry seven or more passengers regardless of the actual number of passengers. Possession of passes or the ages of the passengers does not affect the price charged. Sedan – 1-6 passengers $25 + $5 per person to a maximum of $40 - $40.00 – Commercial Entrance Fee – Van & Minibus
A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization. The entry fees of commercial tours are based upon the total capacity of vehicles that can carry seven or more passengers regardless of the actual number of passengers. Possession of passes or the ages of the passengers does not affect the price charged. Van – 7-15 passengers: $40 Minibus – 16-25 passengers: $40 - $100.00 – Commercial Entrance Fee – Motorcoach
A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization. The entry fees of commercial tours are based upon the total capacity of vehicles that can carry seven or more passengers regardless of the actual number of passengers. Possession of passes or the ages of the passengers does not affect the price charged. Motor coach – 26 or more passengers: $100 - $5.00 – Non-commercial Groups
Organized groups such as Scouts, Rotary, Clubs, Youth Groups, Churches, Reunions, etc. that do not qualify for an Academic Fee Waiver are charged as follows: $5.00 per person, not to exceed the equivalent commercial rate.
Entrance Passes:
- $40.00 – Colorado National Monument Annual Pass
Covers entrance fees for any two passholders and accompanying passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle at Colorado National Monument. This pass can be purchased at either entrance to Colorado National Monument. Good for one year from purchase. This pass does not cover camping fees. Non-transferable and non-refundable.
About
The Heart of the World
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. You can experience sheer-walled, red rock canyons along the twists and turns of Rim Rock Drive, where you may spy bighorn sheep and soaring eagles.
Directions
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.
Visitor Centers
Saddlehorn Visitor Center
For first hand information, maps, and brochures, the visitor center is a good place to start your adventure. It is located four miles from the Fruita Entrance and near Saddlehorn Campground. It is open every day except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day. The visitor center includes educational exhibits, an information desk staffed with knowledgeable rangers and volunteers, two twelve minutes movies and a bookstore operated by Colorado National Monument Association.
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. 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.
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