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Colorado National Monument

National Monument · Colorado

sandstone spire hundreds of feet tall stands above sparsely vegetated canyon bottom and cliffs
Independence Monument as seen from Rim Rock Drive is an icon of the larger national monument. Photo: NPS Photo

Hours

See this week's hours below.

Entrance fee
$25 · private vehicle
Phone
9708582800
Address
1750 Rim Rock Drive, Fruita, CO 81521

About Colorado

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.

Hours

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 350.

MondayOpen 24 hours
TuesdayOpen 24 hours
WednesdayOpen 24 hours
ThursdayOpen 24 hours
FridayOpen 24 hours
SaturdayOpen 24 hours
SundayOpen 24 hours

Entrance fees

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. Private vehicle must be non-commercial and with a seating capacity of 15 or less.
Motorcycle$20Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Per Person$15This pass is good for 7 days for an individual who is walking or bicycling into the monument.
Non-commercial Groups$15Organized groups such as Scouts, Rotary, Hiking Clubs, Youth Groups, Religious Institutions, etc. that do not qualify for an Academic Fee Waiver are charged as follows: $15 per person, not to exceed the equivalent commercial rate. Passes are valid for 7 days. Youth ages 15 and under are free. Individuals or families in the group may use any valid Annual or Lifetime pass for entry. Pass and photo ID must be presented.
Education/Academic GroupsFreeGroups entering the park for educational purposes (curriculum-based classes or activities) may be eligible for a free academic fee wavier. Email [email protected] to apply for a waiver or for more information.
Commercial 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 people, regardless of the actual number of passengers. Possession of an annual or lifetime pass, or the ages of the passengers, does not affect the price charged unless the vehicle's capacity is less than 7 passengers, excluding the driver.
Commercial 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. Possession of an annual or lifetime pass, or the ages of the passengers, does not affect the price charged unless the vehicle's capacity is less than 7 passengers, excluding the driver.
Commercial 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. Possession of an annual or lifetime pass, or the ages of the passengers, does not affect the price charged unless the vehicle's capacity is less than 7 passengers, excluding the driver.
Commercial 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. Possession of an annual or lifetime pass, or the ages of the passengers, does not affect the price charged unless the vehicle's capacity is less than 7 passengers, excluding the driver.

An America the Beautiful pass covers the entrance fee at every site that charges one.

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

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.

Things to do

Auto and ATV, Backcountry Camping, Backcountry Hiking, Biking, Bookstore and Park Store, Camping, Car or Front Country Camping, Climbing, Food, Front-Country Hiking, Hiking, Junior Ranger Program, Park Film, Picnicking, Road Biking, Rock Climbing, Scenic Driving, Shopping, Wildlife Watching.

Source: National Park Service data feed, checked September 24, 2026. Hours shown are the Park Service's posted standard hours plus any date changes it lists. Official page for Colorado ↗