News Release
NPS Photo Laura Hartman
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Contact: Arlene Jackson, 970-858-2833
Fruita, CO – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Colorado and Mesa County Public Health authorities, Colorado National Monument is increasing recreational access and services. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.
Beginning Thursday, May 21, 2020, Colorado National Monument will reopen access to:
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Saddlehorn Visitor Center – The giftshop inside the visitor center will be open 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily. Information from NPS staff will be available outside the visitor center. The exhibit area and theater will remain closed.
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Devil’s Kitchen Trailhead Parking – The Devil’s Kitchen Picnic area parking will be open for trailhead access. The picnic area will remain closed to use.
- Cold Shivers Overlook
The following spaces continue to be available:
- Rim Rock Drive
- All hiking trails
With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time:
- Saddlehorn Campground
- Saddlehorn Picnic Area
- Devil’s Kitchen Picnic Area
The charging of entrance fees will resume starting Thursday, May 21, 2020. With public health in mind, entrance fees and sales in the giftshop will be limited to credit card sales only. Visitors may visit www.recreation.gov before their visit to pay the entrance fee online.
“We are happy to expand the opportunities for visitors to enjoy Colorado National Monument,” stated Superintendent Nathan Souder. “Along with our Mesa County partners, we ask visitors to continue to do your part to respect others and the environment that makes this place so special.”
The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Colorado National Monument, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.
While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow Mesa County health orders (https://health.mesacounty.us/), practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.
The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.
Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website www.nps.gov/colm and FaceBook. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.
-www.nps.gov-
About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Last updated: May 20, 2020