Popular State Guides
|
Free Traveling Guides » States » Colorado » Greater ColoradoColorado National Monument
The Colorado National Monument, situated near the city of Grand Junction, Colorado, is an integral part of the National Park Service. The Monument encompasses a semi-desert land on the Colorado Plateau and is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including juniper trees, pinyon pines, jays, coyotes, Desert Bighorn Sheep, and ravens. The Monument is also known for its recreational activities. The most common activities include horseback riding, hiking trails, scenic drives, and mountain biking.
The major attractions n the Colorado National Monument is the 23 mile (37 km) scenic Rim Rock Drive and the Monument Canyon. The latter encompasses the entire length of the Park, covering an area of nearly 20,500 acres (83 sq. km.). The Monument Canyon includes several famous rock formations such as the Window Rock, the Independence Monument, and the Coke Ovens. Other scenic attractions nearby include the Book Cliffs and the Grand Mesa, the largest flat-topped mountain in the world.
The Colorado National Monument was first explored by John Otto and was established as a part of the National Park Service on May 24, 1911.
The Monument features a number of hiking trails, with a varied range of lengths and difficulties to suit hikers of all levels. Rattlesnakes are very commonly found in the area and visitors are advised to be careful.
The most popular trail in the Monument is the Serpent’s Trail that leads to the top of the Monument. This trail is well maintained and offer breathtaking views of the Monument and the Grand Valley. Another popular trail is the Devil’s Kitchen, the shortest accessible trail in the area. The trailhead of this 1 mile (1.6 km) trail is situated near the eastern end of the Park. Other popular trails include the Liberty Cap Trail, Corkscrew Trail, and the Monument Canyon Trail. |
Top 5 National Parks
- Great Smoky Mountains
- Grand Canyon
- Yosemite
- Olympic
- Yellowstone
All 58 national parks. |
