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Colorado National Monument's trails offer many opportunities for hikers. Bird watchers and photographers discover the splendor that they traveled so far to find. There's a hike for everyone, whether you're here for an hour or are staying all day. Hike distances range from only 0.25 mile to over 14 miles in length.
Pets and bicycles are prohibited on all park trails. There are many options for bike trails and pet friendly hikes on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) sites near the Monument. Visit their website for more information and for trail guides.
Be safety aware! There are no water sources on trails within the Monument. This is an arid, desert environment. Hikers must carry all the water they need with them. One gallon per person, per day is the minimum recommended amount. A water fountain is located at the visitor center and Campground Loop A has water year-round. Cell service varies here, from good in some locations to none at all in other places.
Hikes within Colorado National Monument:
Short Hiking Trails These trails are perfect for hikers who want to see spectacular views and check out interesting rock formations on a shorter hike.
Backcountry Hiking Trails Whether you want to hike on top of the plateau, or explore one of the canyons, there's a trail for you here. From July- September 2025, trail repair work will be happening on Monument Canyon Trail. The trail will stay open for most of the work, but some trail closures will be necessary. Visit the project page for more information.
Hiking and outdoor recreation outside of Colorado National Monument:
McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area- BLM, over 123,000 acres. Hiking, backpacking, camping, ATV, horse, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, boating, pet friendly, Kokopelli Trail access. The Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness Area is located here.
Colorado Riverfront Trail- A paved trail connecting Palisade to Fruita, along the Colorado River. Hiking, leashed pets welcome, bicycling. No ATVs or motorized vehicles.
Grand Mesa and Uncomphagre National Forests- U.S. Forest Service. Hiking, pet friendly, ATV, camping (campgrounds and backcountry), snowmobiling, skiing, snowshoeing, hunting, fishing, biking, water access, birding, wildflowers, six peaks over 14,000 feet in elevation, and over 3,000 miles of trails.
Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Area- BLM. Hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, birding, hunting, photography, pet friendly. Wild horses can be seen here.
James Robb State Park- Hiking, boating, birding, swimming, picnicking, camping (hookups available), leashed pets welcome on trails.
