News Release

Rim Rock Drive to Partially Close for Road Resurfacing

NPS Photo/Carla DeKalb

News Release Date: May 9, 2024 FRUITA, Colo. – Beginning May 29, 2024, a section of Colorado National Monument's Rim Rock Drive will close between milepost 5.5 to 18.5 for up to 14 days to allow the Federal Highway Administration to complete road pavement micro-resurfacing operations. This closure will not have an impact on the right-of-way traffic in the Glade Park community.

Visitors will be able to access the Visitor Center, Campground, and Independence Monument View on the Fruita side of the monument as well as Devils Kitchen and Cold Shivers point on the Grand Junction side. This temporary closure is expected to significantly reduce construction time while improving worker safety along the sharp turns and sheer cliffs found on the central section of the road. Once completed, the new micro-surfacing will help repair the road and provide a significantly improved surface for bicyclists and motorists.

All vehicular traffic will be suspended between Independence Monument View and DS Road in two stages, which will impact access to trailheads and viewpoints between milepost 5.5 and 18.5. Access to Monument Canyon, Ute Canyon, and Liberty Cap trails will be maintained on the east side of the monument, but the upper trailheads will be inaccessible throughout the closure. More information and additional details will be available at https://www.nps.gov/colm/planyourvisit/2024-repaving.htm.
 

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