Accessible Visit to Colorado National Monument

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NPS Photo

Enter the monument from the West (Fruita) Entrance for a four mile drive to our visitor center. Start at Saddlehorn Visitor Center to watch the 18-minute park movie, learn from the exhibit hall, shop for souvenirs at the gift shop, communicate with a ranger, and get your Junior Ranger booklets.

Visitor Center

A paved ramp leads to the visitor center entrance. The visitor center has button-operated front and rear doors. Restrooms are accessed down the breezeway to the right just outside the main entrance doors.The park movie is open-captioned, and an induction loop is provided for users of hearing aids. For those without T-coil enabled hearing aids, assisted listening devices can be requested at the front desk. For the visitor center exhibits, two assisted listening devices are available on the right-hand side as you enter the exhibit room.

Alcove Nature Trail

Directly across the road from the visitor center is the Alcove Nature Trail, a quarter-mile ABA-accessible decomposed-granite trail to a scenic spot overlooking Wedding Canyon. A short dirt ramp travels from the accessible parking spaces up to the crosswalk to access the trailhead on the west side of Rim Rock Drive. Printed paper copies of the Alcove Nature Trail Guide are available at the visitor center front desk and in a small metal compartment at the trailhead. Because of the natural material used to create the trail, there can be muddy and washed out sections after heavy rains.

Saddlehorn Area

At Saddlehorn Picnic Area, an ABA-accessible trail travels from the end of the parking area to the amphitheater and continues to the road beginning of Loop C in the campground. This decomposed-granite trail has been treated to repel water and thus reduce washing out. An accessible porta-potty is also available at Saddlehorn Picnic Area. Nearby, the Book Cliffs View, accessed by traveling around Loop C of the campground, is considered an accessible overlook with views of Wedding and Monument Canyons.

Rim Rock Drive

Then, travel along historic Rim Rock Drive. Accessible overlooks include Independence Monument View, Coke Ovens Overlook, and Cold Shivers Point.

Picnics

For a picnic, the Devils Kitchen Picnic Area and the Saddlehorn Visitor Center picnic tables are accessible.

Camping

If you end up wanting to stay the night, there are two accessible campsites in Saddlehorn Campground, sites 5 and 70. Campsite reservations can only be made through recreation.gov.

Access Pass

Depending on how long you stop and how many overlooks you enjoy, this itinerary can take from two to four hours. Remember that entrance fees apply when entering the monument. The America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Access Pass ("Access Pass") is a lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities.

Details

Duration

2-4 Hours

Rim Rock Drive's 25-35 mile per hour speed limit allows time to take in scenic views of the canyons, mesas, and rock monoliths that make up Colorado National Monument.

Activity

Scenic Driving

While driving or riding along Rim Rock drive, take time to stop at the overlooks and perhaps even take a short hike. The visitor center and campground are 4 miles from the Fruita (west) entrance.

A few things to keep in mind for a safe visit:

• Use headlights in all tunnels.
• Obey traffic laws and speed limits.
• Do not attempt to proceed around bicyclists unless you have a clear view of oncoming traffic and a safe passing distance. Do not pass in tunnels or on turns.
• When passing bicyclists, please allow at least three feet of clearance between your vehicle and the bicyclist.
• Check carefully for bicycles, pedestrians, and vehicles before pulling out onto the road from pullouts.
• Allow other motorists and bicyclists to pass if you are obstructing traffic and there is a safe place to pull over.
• Remember that bicyclists have all the rights and responsibilities of any vehicle.

Pets Allowed

No

Service animals are welcome. Pets are not allowed on any trails and cannot be left unattended in vehicles due to high daytime temperatures.

Activity Fee

Yes

An entrance fee is required to access historic Rim Rock Drive. Stop at either the west (Fruita) or east (Grand Junction) entrance stations on your way into the monument. Federal Recreational Lands Passes are accepted and can be purchased at the entrance stations.

Reservations

No

Season

Year Round

Time of Day

Any Time

Accessibility Information

Visit our Accessibility page for additional information, or call the monument visitor center at 970-858-2800.