• View from the Canyon Rim Trail. Photo by Jeff Kochevar

    Colorado

    National Monument Colorado

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  • Rim Rock Drive is OPEN - Visitor Center is OPEN 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    Rim Rock Drive is OPEN Be on the lookout for Desert Bighorn Sheep along Rim Rock Drive. There also may be minor traffic delays near the East Entrance over the coming weeks. Watch for construction flaggers on the roadway.

Nature & Science

Most of Colorado National Monument rises more than 2,000 feet above the Grand Valley of the Colorado River. Situated at the edge of the Uncompahgre Uplift, the park is part of the greater Colorado Plateau, which also embraces such geologic wonders as the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Arches. It is a semi-desert land of pinyon pines and junipers, ravens and jays, desert bighorns and coyotes. Magnificent views from highland trails and the Rim Rock Drive stretch from the colorful sheer-walled canyons and fascinating rock sculptures to the distant Colorado River valley, the purple-gray Book Cliffs, and the huge flat-topped mountain called Grand Mesa.

Grand View
Grand View along Rim Rock Drive.
NPS
  • NASA Features the Monument NASA Features the Monument

    See satellite imagery of Colorado National Monument. Read More

  • Inventory and Monitoring Network Inventory and Monitoring Network

    Northern Colorado Plateau Inventory and Monitoring Network Read More

Did You Know?

Golden eagle

When desperate, golden eagles can take down animals as large as bighorn sheep or mule deer.  Golden eagles can be seen in and around Colorado National Monument. More...