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Rim Rock Drive is OPEN - Visitor Center is OPEN 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Rim Rock Drive is OPEN There may be minor traffic delays near the East Entrance over the coming weeks. Watch for construction flaggers on the roadway. Always be on the lookout for cyclists!
Independence Day Tradition
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Colorado National Monument is an international park. Visitors from across the world come for a once in a lifetime event - that happens every year - the raising of the stars and stripes on top of a 450-foot tall monolith named Independence Monument. John Otto could think of nothing better than to advertise Monument Canyon from a flag waving on top of the 450-foot tall Independence Monument. He worked day after day for several weeks pounding iron pipes and carving out footsteps into solid rock to make it possible for any brave soul to get to the top. After successfully getting to the top of Independence Monument for the first time on June 8, 1911, John Otto started his tradition of raising an American flag on top of Independence Monument every year on the Fourth of July. Today, the Mesa County Technical Rescue Team climbs and raises the American 
An annual tradition, climbers follow John Otto's route to the top of Independence Monument.
Cindy Fry
The crowd watches the ascent.
NPS
The many sides of Independence Monument - with climbers at the top!
Cindy Fry
Do you see the climber in the crack?
NPS Lynne Mager
Patriotic music filled the air.
NPS
Rangers provided interpretation and education.
NPS
Freedom Flies High
Cindy Fry
Family Fun
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Did You Know?
Colorado National Monument's 23-mile Rim Rock Drive was built almost entirely using picks, shovels, and sheer muscle strength to remove massive rocks and debris. The engineering skill of Rim Rock Drive workers can be seen today in the road's tunnels and stonework. More...