{"id":"nps-colm","slug":"colorado-national-monument","name":"Colorado National Monument","designation":"National Monument","category":"national-monument","categoryLabel":"National Monument","agency":{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov"},"managedBy":[{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov","unitCode":"COLM","designation":"National Monument","sourceId":"nps-colm"}],"states":["CO"],"stateNames":["Colorado"],"location":{"lat":39.05045016,"lon":-108.6920709},"bbox":[-108.757,38.9775,-108.6217,39.1208],"acres":{"value":20545,"kind":"gis-estimate","source":"Computed from the simplified boundary","note":"Approximate. The managing agency publishes official acreage."},"firstProtected":null,"established":null,"administrations":[],"designationHistory":[],"summary":"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.","summarySource":"National Park Service","guide":{},"trConnection":null,"trConnections":[],"trTypes":[],"links":{"official":"https://www.nps.gov/colm/index.htm","social":{},"recreationGov":null,"alltrails":null,"alltrailsExplore":"https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_tl_lat=39.1208&b_tl_lng=-108.757&b_br_lat=38.9775&b_br_lng=-108.6217","recreationGovSearch":"https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=Colorado%20National%20Monument","directions":"http://www.nps.gov/colm/planyourvisit/directions.htm"},"images":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/9DAD9E70-FE9C-A507-CCD4F5B8E14B26E4.jpg","title":"Independence Monument View","alt":"sandstone spire hundreds of feet tall stands above sparsely vegetated canyon bottom and cliffs","caption":"Independence Monument as seen from Rim Rock Drive is an icon of the larger national monument.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/9E1EDDBC-EC30-B590-F009486945DFA412.jpg","title":"Desert Bighorn Sheep","alt":"Two female desert bighorn sheep look to the right among rusty sandstones","caption":"Desert bighorn sheep are often seen along Rim Rock Drive.","credit":"NPS Photo / VIP C DeKalb","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/A3A3DD38-924F-88E1-1955AC605FD38C97.jpg","title":"Independence Monument from Grand View","alt":"a wide sandstone monolith stands next to cliffs on a misty, cloudy day with green shrubs below","caption":"Independence Monument, and all our monoliths and canyons, change moods with the weather, seasons, and time of day.","credit":"NPS Photo / N Scarborough","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/A3CDC1B8-FBB4-BF09-4EE2123BB764F4BC.jpg","title":"Balanced Rock","alt":"Rock spire with large boulder balancing on top, blue skies above, green shrubs below.","caption":"Balanced Rock is one of many monoliths in the national monument easily seen from pullouts along Rim Rock Drive.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/A38CC3DD-A6F1-CCEF-824107F83EFC9E77.jpg","title":"Collared Lizard","alt":"lizard with turquoise body and yellow head lounges on sandstone with canyon cliffs in distance","caption":"Collared lizards are one of many lizard species found in the monument.","credit":"NPS Photo / VIP C DeKalb","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/A3923597-DC99-F65C-1775A0008724E4AB.jpg","title":"Night Skies with the Milky Way","alt":"Silhouette of twisted juniper tree as starry clusters of Milky Way rise vertically in dark night sky","caption":"Many clear nights allow for excellent dark sky viewing in most areas of the monument.","credit":"Photo Courtesy of Rick Ahern","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/9F19DEC4-F0F8-6641-4F5ABD7B26BE533D.jpg","title":"Enjoy the Scenery in Every Season","alt":"two people stand together at canyon cliff edge pointing to tree covered hills across the canyon","caption":"Canyon Rim Trail starts at Saddlehorn Visitor Center and provides a great introduction to this canyon landscape.","credit":"NPS Photo / N Scarborough","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/9DEDE342-0DFC-0ECC-B255AF38755DB18A.jpg","title":"Rim Rock Drive from Fruita Canyon View","alt":"Looking down from canyon rim at a U shaped portion of road entering and exiting the canyon","caption":"Historic Rim Rock Drive was begun in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"}],"activities":["Auto and ATV","Scenic Driving","Biking","Road Biking","Camping","Backcountry Camping","Car or Front Country Camping","Climbing","Rock Climbing","Food","Picnicking","Hiking","Backcountry Hiking","Front-Country Hiking","Junior Ranger Program","Wildlife Watching","Park Film","Shopping","Bookstore and Park Store"],"topics":["Schools and Education","Transportation","Roads, Routes and Highways","Animals","Canyons and Canyonlands","Geology","Scenic Views","Trails"],"fees":[{"title":"Entrance - Private Vehicle","cost":"25.00","description":"$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."},{"title":"Entrance - Motorcycle","cost":"20.00","description":"Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers."},{"title":"Entrance - Per Person","cost":"15.00","description":"This pass is good for 7 days for an individual who is walking or bicycling into the monument."},{"title":"Entrance - Non-commercial Groups","cost":"15.00","description":"Organized 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."},{"title":"Entrance - Education/Academic Groups","cost":"0.00","description":"Groups entering the park for educational purposes (curriculum-based classes or activities) may be eligible for a free academic fee wavier.  Email COLM_permits@nps.gov to apply for a waiver or for more information."},{"title":"Commercial Entrance - Sedan","cost":"25.00","description":"Cost:  $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."},{"title":"Commercial Entrance - Van","cost":"40.00","description":"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."},{"title":"Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus","cost":"40.00","description":"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."},{"title":"Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach","cost":"100.00","description":"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."}],"passes":[{"title":"Annual Entrance - Park","cost":"45.00","description":"Annual Pass for Colorado National Monument, valid for one year from month of purchase."}],"hours":[{"name":"Colorado National Monument","description":"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.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"All Day","monday":"All Day","thursday":"All Day","sunday":"All Day","tuesday":"All Day","friday":"All Day","saturday":"All Day"},"exceptions":[]}],"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.","weatherInfo":"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.","contacts":{"phone":"9708582800","email":"colm_info@nps.gov"},"visitorCenters":[{"name":"Saddlehorn Visitor Center","description":"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, an eighteen minute long movie, and a bookstore operated by Colorado National Monument Association.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/colm/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm","lat":39.1007588668,"lon":-108.7344360352}],"campgrounds":[{"name":"Saddlehorn Campground","description":"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 grill, no wood fires allowed. Max length is 40 feet for RVs, including both trailer and tow vehicle.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/colm/planyourvisit/saddlehorn-campground.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234778","sites":80}],"thingsToDo":[],"nearby":[{"slug":"mcinnis-canyons-national-conservation-area","km":22},{"slug":"dominguez-escalante-national-conservation-area","km":43},{"slug":"grand-mesa-national-forest","km":69},{"slug":"uncompahgre-national-forest","km":71},{"slug":"gunnison-gorge-national-conservation-area","km":84},{"slug":"arches-national-park","km":86}],"hasBoundary":true,"boundarySource":{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division","url":"https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2224545"},"sources":[{"name":"NPS Data API","url":"https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1/parks?parkCode=colm"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division boundaries","url":"https://services1.arcgis.com/fBc8EJBxQRMcHlei/arcgis/rest/services/NPS_Land_Resources_Division_Boundary_and_Tract_Data_Service/FeatureServer/2"}],"editorialStatus":"draft","synced":"2026-11-09T02:12:45.610Z","alerts":[{"source":"NPS","kind":"Caution","title":"Year-round Fire Restrictions in Effect","text":"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.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/colm/learn/nature/fire-safety.htm","updated":"2026-09-04 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-31355126-BD15-4D8D-A808-AC3FD21ACF11"}],"url":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/sites/colorado-national-monument/","boundaryUrl":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/boundaries/colorado-national-monument.geojson"}