NPS Photo Colorado National Monument will begin a repair and stabilization project on Monument Canyon Trail starting mid-May, 2026. Work will be conducted along the first 2.5 miles of the trail from lower Monument Canyon Trailhead off Highway 340 to the intersection of Wedding Canyon Trail, located near the base of the Independence Monument rock formation. Visitors may experience short hiking delays while work is occurring. Trail work will occur Monday–Thursday and on some Fridays from 7 a.m.–4:30 p.m. The project will likely conclude by the end of August. Work will involve the use of hand tools and some motorized equipment. Project work will primarily focus on repairing and replacing failing trail structures critical to trail stability. These structures include stone or timber soil retaining steps, retaining walls, and various drainage structures such as waterbars, lateral open ditches that run parallel to the trail, and culverts. These improvements will improve trail conditions and increase hiker safety. 
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Last updated: May 15, 2026