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Colorado National MonumentView lookig into canyon
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Monumental Memories Photo Exhibit

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Welcome to Colorado National Monument!

Colorado National Monument preserves one of the grand landscapes of the American West. But this treasure is much more than a monument. Towering monoliths exist within a vast plateau-and-canyon panorama. You can experience sheer-walled, red rock canyons along the twists and turns of Rim Rock Drive, where you may spy bighorn sheep and soaring eagles.

Devils Kitchen Surveillance Photos

 
Fourth of July on Independence Monument

Freedom Flies High!

People celebrate the 4th of July on the Western Slope of Colorado on top of Independence Monument, 450 feet high!

Park custodian John Otto began the tradition with his first climb to the top on July 4, 1911. Imagine climbing the steep face of a sandstone monolith and, at the same time, drilling holes for a pipe ladder.

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rim rock drive

Scenic Rim Rock Drive

Enoy the 23-mile Rim Rock Drive, offering breathtaking views with a parade of geology. Consider that the road is only 8 miles as the crow flies. It twists and turns past sandstone monoliths that are 1.7 billion years old!
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Hiking Monument Canyon Trail

Things To Do

Located within Colorado National Monument's 32 square miles is a fascinating landscape of deep canyons and soaring cliffs. Colorado National Monument is a little-known treasure full of surprises and offers an interesting array of activities for visitors of all abilities and interests. Hiking, sightseeing, bicycling, and ranger-led programs are just a few of the exciting choices awaiting visitors.
French - German - Spanish
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Saddlehorn campground

Camping

Saddlehorn Campground, located near the visitor center, has 80 sites and is open year round. The campground has picnic tables, charcoal grills, water, and accessible restrooms. Two accessible campsites are available.
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Write to

Colorado National Monument
Fruita, CO 81521

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Phone

Visitor Information
(970) 858-3617 ext. 360

Fax

(970) 858-0372

Climate

Weather at Colorado National Monument is represented by desert, semi-desert, and upland climates. Annual precipitation averages 11.03 inches.
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Independence Monument  

Did You Know?
Independence Monument is all that remains of a continuous ridge that once formed a wall between Monument and Wedding Canyons. A cap of durable Kayenta rock has protected this picturesque 450 feet (137 meters) high monolith from the relentless erosion that carried away the surrounding rock.

Last Updated: November 23, 2009 at 17:06 EST