Reviews of Colorado National Monument (Park)

Randy Miller

Our visit to the Colorado National Monument was awesome! We came in from the eastern entrance in the late afternoon which offered some of the most amazing photo opportunities with the sun bouncing off all the formations. We stopped at many of the locations within the area and each one was simply spectacular. If you are ever in this area, you will want to make it a priority to get here. Be VERY careful when driving as you will see there are very few guard rails and it’s a LONG way down if you make a mistake. We were able to see several sheep as we went through so watch closely. If you bring children, absolutely don’t lose contact with them. This is a hidden gem in my opinion and we will definitely come back in the future!

Dane Greene

The pictures do not do this place justice. The time I spent in this majestic park will stay with me for the rest of my life. Stop here hike the trails, camp in the area you will not regret it.

Yvonne Marschall

An amazing area. Great viewing points. A very peaceful place.

Rick Miller

We hiked the falls trail by the devil's kitchen. I had not seen it before, pretty impressive falls...75 feet? Or so, then we continued to climb up above the falls and that was a NICE climb! A couple of miles at best.

Thomas Sizemore

The beautiful 32 square mile red rock plateau stands 2,000 feet above the Colorado River due to the geological Uncompahgre Uplift which makes it the on the northern edge of the Colorado Plateau. Located just south of Grand Junction, CO, the Monument contains many interesting rock formations.

Kim McMurtrey

We love this place. So many trails and places to explore. The visitor center is nice. It's worth getting the yearly pass if you live here or plan on going at least twice.

Marc H

Like most national parks in the US, well maintained paths and easy to access. Trailheads from the east entrance are all good for a days worth of hiking. Hear good things about other hikes such as corkscrew etc.

Dani

This is one of my favorite places! Camping, hiking, and driving here is a ton of fun. There is much to see. Everything is clean and well maintained; park employees are kind. The atmosphere here is nice.

Anthony Ridenour

Nice roads and visitor center but the rest was provided by our maker.

Tara Lemke

Wonderful hiking and beautiful drive. Great to take serious hikers, curious kids, and less ambitious walkers all to. We also usually stop at the visitor center and some of the overlooks when taking friends and family from out of town. Great place to go get lost and watch the sunset or cloud cover on the Grand Valley.

alexa hackett

I am glad people don't know how beautiful this place truly is. Just as beautiful as the Grand Canyon or Arches NP but a million times less tourists. Driving Rim Rock Road is scary AF though.

Katy Cooper

Such a beautiful drive! Great places to stop to soak in the majestic sights and take pictures. The visitors center was educational and the staff there were very pleasant and helpful.

Don McPhail

Amazing and dramatic scenery. Lightly visited which makes it a great place to visit. Clean and tidy facilities and campgrounds. Very friendly ranger staff that are super informative. Worth the drive and a couple day visit when in the area.

Josh Ole

Great hiking and great sites. Even our 6 year old was able to do the trek for half the day. There is alot of cool sites to see here and make sure you bring a back pack and even a lunch if you are going to hike down into the canyon. The sites are just spectacular. All ages are able to see the sites from above as there are quite a few pull over spots on Rimrock Drive.

Marta Z

Great place. We got there late afternoon and weather was very whimsical but it was good.. We experienced wind, rain sun and rainbow within 15 minutes.

Nathan

My wife and I really enjoyed our trip to CNM. Just the drive through alone would be thrilling in itself, there's a lot of parts that had my knuckles turning white because i was gripping the steering wheel so hard! But it was well worth it, the views are amazing and we had a lot of fun. It definitely exceeding my expectations. We did a good few of the hikes (mostly easy and a few moderate difficulty ones), they were all fun and had spectacular views. The place was kept clean and the staff was really nice.

Dan Jennings

Really enjoyed the red rocks! These formations cannot be missed! Many overlooks to view the canyons!

Jodi Steinert

Great short hikes that you can do not to far off I 70. Beautiful scenery and really cool rock formations. We hiked with kids and it was really fun. Keep them close though, most of the trail does not have a rope or is fenced off from getting too close. Bring plenty of water you will need it and a map. The trails are not labeled. We hiked the canyon rim trail it's right outside the visitors center and is a nice short hike.

Cathy Reeck

Love this place. Loved 45 years ago when I saw it as a kid and just as wonderful as an adult. A different view at every turn! A must see.

Lloyd .Quesenberry

Saw big and small critters. Great drive. Road in great shape

Kirk Nielsen

Beautiful place to visit. It can be just a drive through or stop and walk. Really amazing place!

Wanda Graham

One of my favorite trails. I really enjoy seeing the big Horn sheep.

Jake Tombleson

The views up there are so very enjoyable! I love going up the to see the sunrise, if I get up there early enough. Sunset or at night time are also really good times to go up and soak up all that beauty the Colorado National Monument has to offer.

Susan Harvey

Unbelievable colors provided by nature. I couldn't stop looking. If you ever go there, don't be the driver. You'll miss so much. The roads twist and turn you can't take your eyes off it.

Zac Anderson

Must beautiful place I've ever been! My fiance and I had the time of our lives!

Jamie Choate

Plan for an hour and a half drive to stop at the scenic overlooks for photo ops. $20 per car charge. This is an amazing, must-do bucket list drive! Once in a lifetime experience!

Keith Roussel

I was driving through Grand Junction on my way to Denver and at the last moment I decided to visit the Colorado National Monument. I'm incredibly glad that I did. It contains absolutely beautiful desert-like views. You can see the different layers of rock on the canyon walls. The colors of the rock layers combine with the green valley of Grand Junction and the blue sky to make spectacular contrasts. There is a park entry fee and there are some trails along the canyon that can be hiked. Be careful near the anyone edge.

Damon Landreau

Very beautiful. Well worth the time. Bring lots of water and sunscreen.

Teresa Brewer

If I could give it more stars, I would!! I'm from the East coast and I have to say the beauty out here is just breathtaking!! I can't put into words how much I enjoyed this place! ❤️

Adrian Solis

This place was amazing, easy to get to, by following the road. There are a bunch of tables for picnic. I do like that there were pokestops for the children and young adults. I feel it is more suitable for RV's than regular camping because the ground is uneven and could be challenging to pitch a tent. However the best part is that it is handicapped accessible. The restrooms are clean, just be aware for spiders. They also recycle, So be prepared for that. The view over the city is full of awe. This place is just magical. Not as cold as northern Colorado. The stars were big and bright if one wanted to gaze at the night sky. This place is a must stop on any road trips. Showers are located in the city, and people are very helpful.

Barry Emmons

Very nice park. Easy to get to and navigate with many pullouts for viewing, although some are small and could get full on busy days. The views are fantasic. The trails seem to be well marked but I did hike any all the way.

Nehal Omar

Don't compare it with Grand Canyons! No, its not Grand like Grand Canyon but its indeed different and beautiful. Even, I liked it more than Grand Canyon. The designs craved by nature on Canyons in gorgeous and its indeed one of the best Creation of nature. Don't miss to visit Colorado National Monument if you visit Colorado. Yes, there is a entry fee of 20$ to visit the Monument. Travel Tip: prefer to Visit this place in evening, to get the beautiful view on Reddish Sunlight. ✌️ Happy Exploring.

Lindsey Merrick-Rutledge

Beautiful And Peaceful. The park staff was very helpful and nice.

Mirka Mendez

It is pricy. $20 to get your car in. The park itself is beautiful. You can stay looking at the scenery for as long as you want. I would recommend going for the hikes and be prepared against the sun with good sunscreen and a hat. There are plenty of places where you can stop in your car for a different view. It is a very interesting geological site. I would totally recommend.

Bruce Wieser

It's like a mini Grand Canyon. Great trails, some easy, some moderate, and some difficult. We were here over July 4th, and crowds were not bad at all. Be warned - bring bug spray and/or wipes - gnats can be awful! But the place and views are fantastic, I will definitely return.

Jonathan Russell

Beautiful park to visit. The drive is fun and the views are spectacular. Went at the end of March and the weather was cool, but the park was not busy which was nice. Didn't get to make it too far into the park, but definitely want to go back and go all the way through it.

Vince Itt

Beautiful hikes, scenic drives, a great way to get back to nature and it's literally right here in Grand Junction's back yard!!! Spend the day, spend a few.... Just remember to exercise caution whilst exercising body & soul...critters of all kinds are out and about also enjoying nature's bounty!!!

Naomi Thomas-Barrientos

Very pretty! I recently moved to Grand Junction for college and I'm taking a hiking class, best move ever!

Kate Voss

I can't believe that more people don't visit here. I've never been to the Grand Canyon but honestly with the lack of crowds here and the excessive crowds in most other National Parks, this park is absolutely worth visiting! The views are incredible, but watch out for the sun and heat.

Mark Wittkopp

Spectacular!! The scenery is great. Also saw Big Horned Sheep. Did not hike any of the trails since we had our dogs with us. But I would recommend this park to everyone.

P Brian Brinck

We only had time for a quick trip. We stopped a a few of the overlooks but the visitors center then had to return. The views are of red rock cliffs and are fantastic

Sarah Hoppe

What a surprise! This is an amazing park! We were on a tight schedule and didn't make a lot of stops, took us 1.5 hours and can't wait to come back with more family and spend a few days.

Todd Mowen

If you live next to this monument or you're passing by, I definitely recommend stopping! You won't be disappointed. Amazing views. I didn't have time to stick around as 3i was passing through so I will be back to do some hiking.

Jeff Longtin

We drove the rim and got out at view points. Only walked at points. Trails below must be amazing.

Alice Woods

So beautiful. Amazing views, interesting history, great hikes, friendly staff. A must see!

Byron W

America the beautiful, All in a National Park. Colorado National Monument is a natural history vista's trek though the wonders of nature.

Tyler King

Not crowded awesome views. Well taken care of national monument.

Mike Holeyfield

Beautiful part of the Western Slope of Colorado. A must see when visiting Grand Junction.

Robert Emmons

"Timeless beauty!" When you go during the four seasons in the morning or afternoon you will see a different beauty each time. Well worth the drive for postcard photo opportunities and short hikes if you choose to do so. The visitor center has a nice collection of history and interpretive reading and visual points of interest.

Cindy Long

I grew up here, this is a awesome place to hike and many other things.

Bob Slone

Mini Grand Canyon, spectacular views. Fall foliage was beginning to turn. Must-see stop in Colorado.

Mike Bell

Spectacular scenery! The main drive through the park is about 23 miles long. It takes about 1-2 hours depending upon how much you want to stop for the views, if you’re just driving through.

Brien Core

Awesome place for amazing red rock views, wildlife, and great overnight camping.

John Livaditis

Park was so awesome. Beautiful winding drive all the way through it. Make sure to stop off at the vistas and walk around.

Jessica Squires

I am from Mobile AL and was in Colorado for a Hospitality class and someone in the class had a car and offered to drive me and another person up to see it. Im so used to my lush green mountains this was insane to view. Absolutely gorgeous! And there were su flowers growing wild all over the place! That was such a spectacular visit and very very worth it!

LINDA WINGFIELD

I cant believe how people will travel over seas to see beauty when it's right in your own back yard

Jason Ward

Amazing views, and awesome roads... hit it early cause it’s nice and cool.

David Kleim

Must see. Awesome mesas and canyons. Less visited but well worth it. Short hikes. Unlike other Colorado parks. Beautiful!

Mary Post

Absolutely breathtaking. So much to see! 23 miles wind through this beautiful mountain along with historical facts and landmarks. An abundant of hiking trails for all levels. A must visit!

Becky Deitenbeck

Beautiful! The visitor center was staffed with very helpful people. We enjoyed hiking, seeing the wildlife, and a scenic picnic lunch. Worth the drive!

Mousumi P

Pictures do not do justice. A beautiful place . Great hikes available. If you are in Colorado, you shouldn't miss it .

CONNIE MICHON

Beautiful rock formations. Has that wow factor.

Pam Martin

We had only 1 day & a half to experience the Monument. I enjoyed the drive and a couple of hikes, 1 short & 1 long. I wish there were more hikes (not just super long ones or super short ones or overlooks). We saw a herd of Bighorn Sheep crossing the road. Although that was a short visit, i am sure if i were local, it may be whole different experience. Love the grand-ness of it & it is very picturesque. Really I vote 4.5 stars out of 5 stars.

DL Lawrence

ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. Great views, high places, just PURE GREAT. HIGHLY recommend going there.

Richard Goebel

Unbelievable scenery. A ranger gave a talk at a view sight and she had a great poster and gave a great talk. Lots of good information.

Jürgen Stein

Very nice designed park. It is basically a loop with plenty of great lookouts and awesome landscape. Although I don't mind walking, everything there is short walks, with bonus if you don't mind an extra step.

Jacob Moss

Good place to stop and see views if you like hiking

Kylie Brooke

Absolutely beautiful! Found some really cool rocks and took some amazing photos too!

Paul Pomroy

I love this place. Beautiful and so much to see and do. It's well kept and there is a variety of hiking difficulties

Steve O'Connor

Incredible views. Nice curvy road a blast on the motorcycle. If your more ambitious you can bike up and over, very narrow road, most drivers anticipate and respect. But there's always that 1 be safe. Hiking trails for every level of fitness. Campground had excellent facilities and as of now it's only 22 bucks a car to camp plus entry fee. They honor federal land passes. Dogs only on paved trails is the only unfortunate thing, but understandable.

kane powell

Great place to visit. Lots to see definitely try and stop at all the stops.

Myrriah Peck

Even with the scorching temperatures today I would not have missed this experience for the world. Pictures cannot do it justice of just how grand and amazing the views and size of this whole monument are. It makes you realize just how tiny you are. The visitors center is defintely worth a visit as well. All the staff are very nice and helpful.

randy culver

Incredible views and a gorgeous scenic drive. We only got to camp for one night but we throughly enjoyed it. No electric hook up but the bathrooms were clean.

mad zax

A spectacular drive through this park will keep you on the edge of your seat. You can drive the 30 mile stretch from Grand Junction to the West entrance at Fruita in a couple hours but you can also stop at various places to walk a trail. We overlooked this park before and glad we stopped. Probably should have taken a lunch since there are no food or drink options in the park unless you have your own. If you take a bicycle to the top of the park near the visitor center, you can easily coast 15 miles to the East entrance without peddling. We saw a lot of people doing that. This is another wonder of nature America has to offer.

Molly Vonderlage

It's beautiful! There's secret ways in that you don't have to pay the national park fees but to we bought a year pass and it's worth it. There's so many trails and spots to stop. The gift shop/info center could be better but the monument itself is awesome

Mike Galloway

Wow! Absolutely awe inspiring views. Excellent facilities, and very nice staff makes for a pleasant visit. We will definitely go back again and experience more.

mohsin jafri

It was not a part of my trip but hotel front desk advise me to check this place. Saw the flag ceremony. Awesome experience.

M

If you are driving through Grand Junction, the Colorado National Monument is a nice stop. Hiking trails are available in the park. I’ve visited here three or four times over a 25 year period and have always enjoyed my visits - the rock formations and distant views are beautiful. Although some say it’s expensive, these fees help the park system so the amount is minimal to me. Just as in other parks, it can be dangerous so stay away from the edges and watch your children.

Adeliza Hamilton

Beautiful scenery, great geological formations. Hiking trails available for those adventurous enough and nimble enough to clamber over rocks.

Mauricio Pretto

Amazing National Park located in Colorado, the red rocks are just stunning , you can drive all the way on the park. Breathtaking views and you might be able to see squirrels and other wild animals.

Tim Lewis

Well kept area. The ranger that was doing the Jr Ranger badge was super knowledgeable. Various hikes of different difficulties available nearby.

Alena Nosova

Beautiful park! A lot of overlooks with gorgeous views!

T C

Views in this park are amazing and the hikes are great too. The campground is kinda stacked amongst each other and the nats were worse than any place I'd been in Co. NO FIRES ALLOWED! A simple coal stove provided to cook on. If you hike or bike, this is a great place to stay and hit the trails otherwise I recommend a simple half day tour in your car with other camping elsewhere.

John Koch

This drive takes you up and through this Beautiful Canyon, up 7662ft. Hairpin turns road is right on the edge of the Canyon beautiful picture opportunities.

Kaley Buttars

Recently went on a cross-country road trip, and since we have an America the Beautiful Pass we tried using it as much as possible. Colorado national monument is just outside Grand Junction along the I-70 so we decided to give it a try. Went in mid May and the park had a steady stream of visitors and cyclists. We hiked to devil's kitchen and only saw 3 other people on our hike. Driving through this park was beautiful, and for a national park it wasn't too crowded and was extremely well maintained. Stunning views and beautiful colors everywhere. Definitely will be back when we have the chance to explore some more!

Sean M

What can be said about this spectacular place? 20 bucks will get you breathtaking and peaceful views. I wish the gift shop had more selections, but that aside we had a really fun drive through and even saw some long horned sheep!

Karen Moritz

Words can't even begin to describe the beauty of this place.... Much of the scenery is visible on or a short walk from the rim road. Short or long hikes are available and scenic. The campground also had stunning views and clean bathrooms. Highly recommend seeing this amazing place!

Goldie Geisinsky

This has beautiful views. Not for those who are scared of heights as the roads are narrow with no barriers. Definitely worth going out of the way for 20 min and checking out the pull out spots.

Jim Gerry

Beautiful and we'll maintained national treasure. Great red Rock canyon views. This is a must see.

Cindy

Clean & well maintained. Can't wait to come back.

Alyssa Varela

This was a great place to go hiking. It was beautiful! There were so many places to stop and rest as well as plenty of shade. There were lots of different types of terrain. Some parts were a bit steep and had very little walk room so it was a little rough with our 3 year old. Other than that, I would say this trail is for all ages.

Jesse Palmer

Colorado Native I have always loved the Monument! But now that it live out of state it is a great way to reminisce when I come back. Many different hiking levels, and climbing (if you're into that)! And the views are just spectacular! Highly recommend!

Johnny Snyder

Always a nice place to visit. Great hikes, amazing views of eroded sandstone formations.

Nadine Brubaker Howell

We had a nice day driving along the undulating edge of the mesa. There are well-placed pullouts with informative signs and wonderful views. I can tell that days of different weather would display different highlights of the beautiful and interesting rocks. We had fun at Echo Wall with some complete strangers from Michigan

Josh Evilsizor

What is there to say? The pictures tell you all about it, but I guess I could provide a few more details. So this is a national park and you'll need to pay to get in Price is very depending on your status, and if you're a military person with an active ID card you can get in for free to any of the parks actually in Colorado. Next, is the drive. Plan on a 1 hour drive around the monument Park and then depending on how long of course you stay at each of the pull-offs. there are many pull-offs and there are there also some pull offs that require hiking to the intended viewpoint so perhaps if you really want to hit every spot and see everything plan two to three hours or more. I did the whole thing in about 2 hours stopping it almost every stop that allows you to take pictures directly from the stopping point. Finally, make sure you're enjoying this trip with a confident driver. Literally the wrong turn and the wrong pedal I eat gas or break could send you over the edge of a cliff that would easily and quickly in your life. nothing not to end on on a sourdough, just want to let you know what you're in for as it's a two-lane road but that's all it is and sometimes or often there are no guard rails leaving those with a fear of heights a little squeamish as you round the corner sometimes. I composed this entire review using voice dictation so please forgive any grammatical or gross spelling errors.

Michael Boushack

Had a amazing time hiking the trails, seeing the sights during the day and star gazing at night, it a must stop and see place....

Greg Smith

Unbelievable! Beyond just words...have to go see it. Well worth the entrance fee. Take your time & lots of pics!

Chuck Barnhart

This is a great place to visit. Beautiful views at every turn. It is a wow experience. 3 or 4 tunnels and if you time it right plenty of room to run a large coach. But I would recommend taking a car so you can pull off to enjoy the views.