Last updated: April 5, 2024
Place
Historic Tour Starting Point Saddlehorn Visitor Center
NPS Photo
Quick Facts
Location:
4 miles from the Fruita (West) entrance along Rim Rock Drive
Significance:
Built during the Mission 66 era
Designation:
National Historic Register
Amenities
33 listed
Accessible Rooms, Assistive Listening Systems, Assistive Listening Systems - T-Coil Compatible, Audio Description, Automated Entrance, Baby Changing Station, Backcountry Permits, Benches/Seating, Bicycle - Rack, Captioned Media, Fire Extinguisher, Food/Drink - Snacks, Gifts/Souvenirs/Books, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information, Information - Maps Available, Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present, Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board, Internet/WiFi Available, Junior Ranger Activity, Junior Ranger Booklet Available, Open Captioning, Picnic Shelter/Pavilion, Picnic Table, Restroom, Restroom - Accessible, Telephone, Theater/Auditorium, Toilet - Flush, Trailhead, Water - Bottle-Filling Station, Water - Drinking/Potable, Wheelchair Accessible
The Mission 66 initiative began taking shape in early 1955. The main goal was to complete various projects by the 50th Anniversary of the National Park Service (NPS) in 1966. Major projects/ideas considered in this initiative were visitor centers, campgrounds, improved roads and trails systems, and the addition of more park personnel to handle the increased influx of park visitors.Over 100 visitor centers were constructed during this time period. This was the major concept of Mission 66, providing visitors with a “one-stop” service unit equipped with an information desk, uniformed rangers, lobby exhibits, illustrated talks, museum, library, and restrooms, along with administrative areas.
The Saddlehorn Visitor Center was started in 1962 and officially opened on Colorado National Monument’s 52nd anniversary on May 24, 1963. Prior to the visitor center, visitors obtained information from park staff at the entrance stations and through the park’s brochure. This visitor center was designed by NPS architect, Cecil Doty, and was true to the Mission 66 form of being stylish and modern for the time period. It was encapsulated with sandstone to match the surrounding canyon walls with large glass windows and an outside back porch area offering outstanding vistas of the monument.
Inside the exhibit hall highlights the monument’s geology, wildlife and history through displays and a short film. The visitor center is also the monument’s headquarters, with several administrative offices, an informational lobby, as well as the Colorado National Monument Association’s gift shop.
Two of the exterior doors along the breezeway (west side) of the visitor center would have led to the original public restrooms (now offices). There have been several major changes over the decades, with one of the largest being the addition of the restroom/comfort station complex southwest of the visitor center, around 1980. You will notice the newer building mimics and complements the Visitor Center design and sandstone rock work. It does not diminish the integrity of the original building.
The original flagstone steps that led down to the visitor center’s front doors were also replaced with a concrete ramp to comply with American Disabilities Act requirements.The plaque recognizing the first director of the National Park Service, Stephen Mather, was installed in 1987, along with the small exhibit board area providing visitors with basic monument information directly across from the plaque. In 1995, a plaque and statue of John Otto on his horse was placed along the north wall of the restroom building.In 2022, the visitor center was returned to most of its original 1960s color scheme after all exterior/interior surfaces/doors were painted brown and tan circa 1980.
Note in the 1960's photograph the Kentucky blue grass “lawn” in front of the Visitor Center. It was replaced with more appropriate desert garden landscaping in the 1980s.
The Saddlehorn Visitor Center was started in 1962 and officially opened on Colorado National Monument’s 52nd anniversary on May 24, 1963. Prior to the visitor center, visitors obtained information from park staff at the entrance stations and through the park’s brochure. This visitor center was designed by NPS architect, Cecil Doty, and was true to the Mission 66 form of being stylish and modern for the time period. It was encapsulated with sandstone to match the surrounding canyon walls with large glass windows and an outside back porch area offering outstanding vistas of the monument.
Inside the exhibit hall highlights the monument’s geology, wildlife and history through displays and a short film. The visitor center is also the monument’s headquarters, with several administrative offices, an informational lobby, as well as the Colorado National Monument Association’s gift shop.
Two of the exterior doors along the breezeway (west side) of the visitor center would have led to the original public restrooms (now offices). There have been several major changes over the decades, with one of the largest being the addition of the restroom/comfort station complex southwest of the visitor center, around 1980. You will notice the newer building mimics and complements the Visitor Center design and sandstone rock work. It does not diminish the integrity of the original building.
The original flagstone steps that led down to the visitor center’s front doors were also replaced with a concrete ramp to comply with American Disabilities Act requirements.The plaque recognizing the first director of the National Park Service, Stephen Mather, was installed in 1987, along with the small exhibit board area providing visitors with basic monument information directly across from the plaque. In 1995, a plaque and statue of John Otto on his horse was placed along the north wall of the restroom building.In 2022, the visitor center was returned to most of its original 1960s color scheme after all exterior/interior surfaces/doors were painted brown and tan circa 1980.
Note in the 1960's photograph the Kentucky blue grass “lawn” in front of the Visitor Center. It was replaced with more appropriate desert garden landscaping in the 1980s.