Colorado National Monument's trails offer many opportunities for hikers. Bird watchers and photographers discover the splendor that they traveled so far to find. Hikes range from only 0.25 mile to over 14 miles. Click here for a hiking brochure.
PETS AND BICYCLES PROHIBITED.

Trails are listed from west to east.

SHORT TRAILS:

Window Rock Trail

• Location: Saddlehorn campground
• Trailhead: Marked trailhead is on the campground one-way road just before Book Cliffs View. 
• Mileage: 0.25 one way (0.4 km) 
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Elevation: 5,626 feet (1715 meters)
• Average time: 1/4 hour
• Usage: Hiking only. Horses prohibited.
• Description: Level loop trail through pinyon-juniper woodland to overlook with excellent views of Monument and Wedding Canyons and most of their major rock formations, including Independence Monument. Click here for the Canyon Rim and Window Rock Trail brochure.

Canyon Rim Trail

• Location: Starts behind the Saddlehorn Visitor Center and ends at Book Cliffs View.
• Mileage: 0.5 one way (0.8 km) 
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Elevation: 5,626 feet (1715 meters)
• Average time: 1/2 hour
• Usage: Hiking only. Horses prohibited.
• Description: Level trail following the cliff edge above colorful Wedding Canyon. Outstanding views make this a favorite for landscape and wildlife photographers. Click here for the Canyon Rim and Window Rock Trail brochure.

Alcove Nature Trail

• Location: Directly across Rim Rock Drive from the Saddlehorn Visitor Center.
• Mileage: 0.5 one way (0.8 km) one-way
• Difficulty Level: Mostly level.
• Elevation: 5,800 feet (1768 meters)
• Average time: 1/2 hour
• Usage: Hiking only. Horses prohibited.
• Description: Level trail that travels to an alcove in a box canyon. Detailed trail guides are available at the trailhead and the visitor center. A good introduction to some of the plants, animals, and rocks of the monument. Great for families with small children.

Otto's Trail

• Location: From Saddlehorn Visitor Center, turn left onto Rim Rock Drive and proceed 1.0 mile (1.6 km) to the trailhead on
  the left. 
• Mileage: 0.5 one way (0.8 km) 
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Elevation: 5,800 to 5,600 feet (1768 to 1707 meters)
• Average time: 1/2 hour
• Usage: Hiking only. Horses prohibited.
• Description: Gently sloping trail that leads through pinyon-juniper woodlands to an overlook with views of Sentinel Spire, Pipe Organ, Praying Hands, and Independence Monument. 

Coke Ovens Trail

• Location: From Saddlehorn Visitor Center, turn left onto Rim Rock Drive and proceed 3.8 miles (6.1 km) to the trailhead on the left. It is also the trailhead for Monument Canyon Trail.
• Mileage: 0.5 one way (0.8 km) 
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Elevation: 6,140 to 5,960 feet (1871 to 1817 meters)
• Average time: 1/2 hour
• Usage: Hiking only. Horses prohibited.
• Description: Trail descends gradually and parallels the hillside to the overlook. Look upon the massive rounded Coke Ovens, an illustration of the effects of time and weather on the Wingate Sandstone.

CCC Trail

• Location: From Saddlehorn Visitor Center, turn left onto Rim Rock Drive and proceed 3.8 miles (6.1 km). The trailhead is on the right - look for the bulletin board. Proceed forward and park in the large pullout on the left.
• Mileage: 0.75 one way (1.2 km) 
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Elevation: 6,200 to 6,600 feet (1890 to 2012 meters)
• Average time: 1 hour
• Usage: Hiking only. Horses prohibited.
• Description: Trail is one of three routes to Black Ridge Trail. It also serves to connect Black Ridge Trail with Monument Canyon Trail. The trail ascends to the junction with Black Ridge.

Devils Kitchen Trail

• Location: From the east entrance, travel 0.2 miles (0.3 km). Limited parking is on the left. For additional parking, turn right into the Devils Kitchen Picnic Area. The trailhead is shared with two other trails: No Thoroughfare Canyon Trail and Old Gordon Trail. Serpents Trail access is across the road.
• Mileage: 0.75 one way (1.2 km) 
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Elevation: 4,990 to 5,060 feet (1521 to 1542 meters)
• Average time: 1 hour
• Usage: Hiking and horseback riding.
• Description: Gradual ascent to a natural opening formed by a circle by huge upright boulders. At the first fork, go right. At the second fork, go left. Follow the trail across the wash. As you proceed up the canyon, you will see the large rock grotto that is Devils Kitchen. Keep on the established trail and follow the carved steps up the slickrock. As you approach the base of the rock formation, go left around it and hike into the rock opening.

Serpents Trail

• Location: From the east entrance, travel 0.2 miles (0.3 km). Limited parking is on the left. For additional parking, turn right into the Devils Kitchen Picnic Area.
• Mileage: 1.75 one way (2.8 km) 
• Difficulty Level: Steep
• Elevation: 5,060 to 5,760 feet (1542 to 1756 meters)
• Average time: 1 hour
• Usage: Hiking only. Horses prohibited.
• Description: Called “the crookedest road in the world,” this historic trail has 16 switchbacks. The trail climbs steadily from east to west through Wingate Sandstone. Built in the early 1900s, this route was part of the main road until 1950.

• Location: Three access points: (1) across from the Saddlehorn Visitor Center in the north, (2) accessed by the CCC Trail 3.8 miles (6.1 km) east from the visitor center - trailhead on the right, (3) and at 6.4 miles (10.3 km) east from the visitor center - trailhead on the left; you can also access Liberty Cap Trail from this trailhead.
• Mileage: 5.5 one way (8.8 km) 
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Elevation: 5,790 to 6,730 feet (1765 to 2051 meters)
• Average time: 3 hours
• Usage: Hiking and horseback riding.
• Description: Highest trail in the park with far-reaching views west to Utah canyonlands, east to Grand Valley, and south to the San Juan Mountains. Follows up-and-down terrain of Black Ridge. Trail crosses McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area (Bureau of Land Management lands).

Monument Canyon Trail

• Location: Two access points: (1) from the Saddlehorn Visitor Center, turn left onto Rim Rock Drive and travel 3.8 miles (6.1 km) to the trailhead on the left. It is also the trailhead for Coke Ovens Trail, and (2) from the west entrance of the monument, turn right onto Highway 340 (going east); after 2.1 miles (3.4 km) turn right just beyond mile marker #5 onto a dirt road that appears to be a driveway; go 0.1 mile (0.2 km) to the trailhead.
• Mileage: 6.0 one way (9.7 km) 
• Difficulty Level: Moderate to steep
• Elevation: 6,140 to 4,700 feet (1871 to 1433 meters) from upper trailhead to lower trailhead.
• Average time: 4 hours
• Usage: Hiking only. Horseback riding permitted along the
  lower 5 miles.
• Description (from upper access): Steep 600-foot descent from the plateau into Monument Canyon where you can walk beside many of the park’s major rock sculptures: Independence Monument, Kissing Couple, and the Coke Ovens.
  Click here to see a photo gallery of this hike.

Liberty Cap Trail

• Location: Three access points: (1) from the west entrance, turn right onto Highway 340 (going east); continue 6.5 miles (10.5 km) and turn right at the light on South Broadway; go 1.2 miles (1.9 km) and turn left onto Wildwood Drive; from Wildwood Drive, go 0.5 miles (0.8 km); watch closely for a brown trailhead sign on the right at what appears to be driveway; turn down this road to the trailhead, (2) from the east entrance, proceed north on Monument Road 0.6 miles (1.0 km); turn left on South Camp Road; drive 2.6 miles (4.2 km) to its junction with South Broadway; turn left and go 0.5 miles (0.8 km); turn left onto Wildwood Drive and go 0.5 miles (0.8 km); watch closely for a brown trailhead sign on the right at what appears to be driveway; turn down this road to the trailhead, and (3) from the Saddlehorn Visitor Center, turn left onto Rim Rock Drive and drive 6.4 miles (10.3 km) to the trailhead on the left. The first two access points are shared with Ute Canyon Trail and Corkscrew Trail. Number (3) access point is shared with Black Ridge Trail.
• • Mileage: 7.0 one way (11.3 km) 
  • Difficulty Level: Steep at lower trailhead; easy at upper trailhead.
  • Elevation: 4,800 to 6,550 feet (1463 to 1996 meters) from lower trailhead to upper trailhead.
  • Average time: 4-5 hours
  • Usage: Hiking. Horseback riding is permitted along the upper 5.0 miles (8.0 km). 
  • Description (from lower access): Trail ascends steeply for 2 miles from the Grand Valley floor to Liberty Cap rock sculpture. Trail winds across gently sloping Monument Mesa through pinyon-juniper forest and sagebrush flats for the final 5.0 miles (8.0 km).

Ute Canyon Trail

• Location: Three access points: (1) from the Saddlehorn Visitor Center, turn left onto Rim Rock Drive and travel 9.3 miles (15.0 km) to the trailhead on the left, (2) from the west entrance of the monument, turn right onto Highway 340 (going east); after 6.5 miles (10.5 km) turn right at the light onto South Broadway; go 1.2 miles (1.9 km) and turn left onto Wildwood Drive; watch closely for a brown trailhead sign on the right at 0.5 miles (0.8 km); turn down the road to the trailhead, and (3) from the east entrance, proceed north on Monument Road 0.6 miles (1.0 km); turn left on South Camp Road; drive 2.6 miles (4.2 km) to its junction with South Broadway; turn left and go 0.5 miles (0.8 km); turn left onto Wildwood Drive and go 0.5 miles (0.8 km); watch closely for a brown trailhead sign on the right at what appears to be driveway; turn down this road to the trailhead. The last two access points are shared with Liberty Cap Trail and Corkscrew Trail.
• Mileage: 7.0 one way (11.3 km) 
• Difficulty Level: Steep
• Elevation: 6,440 to 4,800 feet (1963 to 1463 meters) from upper trailhead to lower trailhead.
• Average time: 4-5 hours
• Usage: Hiking. Horseback riding is permitted along the boundary of the monument to the base of the escarpment only.
• Description (from upper access): Rigorous descent into narrow Ute Canyon from the plateau follows a primitive trail. Route then follows the streambed with seasonal stream and pools bordered by cottonwoods and willows. A few arches may be seen. Unmaintained.

• Location: From the east entrance, travel 0.2 miles (0.3 km). Limited parking is on the left. For additional parking, turn right into the Devils Kitchen Picnic Area. The trailhead is shared with two other trails: No Thoroughfare Canyon Trail and Devils Kitchen Trail. 
• Mileage: 4.0 one way (6.4 km) 
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Elevation: 4,980 to 6,620 feet (1518 to 2018 meters)
• Average time: 2 1/2 hours
• Usage: Hiking and horseback riding.
• Description: Steadily ascending trail that follows the path of a historic lumber and cattle drive road. The park’s geologic story is told almost in its entirety through the layers of rock exposed along this mostly undeveloped route. Enjoy the great variety of cacti blooming in the spring.

• Location: From the east entrance, travel 0.2 miles (0.3 km). Limited parking is on the left. For additional parking, turn right into the Devils Kitchen Picnic Area. The trailhead is shared with two other trails: Old Gordon Trail and Devils Kitchen Trail. 
• Mileage: 8.5 one way (13.7 km) 
• Difficulty Level: Moderate to strenuous
• Elevation: 5,000 to 6,820 feet (1524 to 2079 meters)
• Average time: Full day
• Usage: Hiking only. Horses prohibited.
• Description: Descent from plateau on maintained trail followed by undeveloped route through remote canyon. Canyon walls rise over 400 feet. Isolated. Primitive. Most hikers do not attempt the entire route.
• If you decide to hike the entire canyon, take a compass and topographic map. The trail is unmaintained beyond the second waterfall. Check the weather as flash floods pose an imminent danger.

• Location: From the east entrance, proceed north on Monument Road 0.6 miles (1.0 km); turn left on South Camp Road. Drive 2.6 miles ( 4.2 km) to its junction with South Broadway. Turn left and go 0.5 miles (0.8). Turn left onto Wildwood Drive and go 0.5 miles (0.8 km) and watch closely for a brown trailhead sign on the right at what appears to be driveway. Turn down this road to the trailhead. This trailhead is shared with Ute Canyon Trail and Liberty Cap Trail.
• Mileage: 3.3 one way (5.3 km) 
• Difficulty Level: Moderate to strenuous
• Elevation: 4,800 feet (1463 meters)
• Average time: 2 1/2 hours
• Usage: Hiking only. Horses prohibited.
• Description: Originally built by John Otto in 1909. Follow Liberty Cap Trail to trail junction sign at 1.0 mile (1.6 km). Turn left and hike 0.2 miles (0.3 km) to Corkscrew Trail sign; descend steep "corkscrew" switchbacks. Follow Corkscrew Connector Trail signs back to the trailhead.