Colorado National Monument

The canyon country of the monument lies within lands long traveled and used by the Ute people, whose homeland spans this part of western Colorado and whose connection to the region endures today. The rock and the river carry a human history far older than the monument itself.

The area owes its protection in large part to John Otto, an eccentric and tireless early advocate who fell in love with the canyons, built many of the first trails by hand, and campaigned to have the land set aside. His efforts helped lead to the establishment of the national monument in the early twentieth century, and he served as its first caretaker, living among the rocks he had worked to protect.

The monument sits on the edge of the Colorado Plateau, and its cliffs are built from layers of sandstone laid down over vast spans of geologic time, including rock formed from ancient deserts and river systems. Beneath them lies far older, hard basement rock, and the meeting of these layers is written across the canyon walls.

Water and weather did the sculpting. Over millions of years, runoff and the freeze and thaw of desert seasons cut down through the soft sandstone, widening canyons and undermining cliffs until freestanding towers and monoliths were left behind. That slow carving continues today, and the debris slopes below the cliffs are part of the ongoing work.

Rim Rock Drive is the classic way to experience the monument, a winding road climbing from the valley to the plateau and running along the canyon rims, passing through tunnels and past a string of overlooks that gaze down into the red depths. It is one of the great scenic drives of the Western Slope and a favorite among cyclists as well as drivers.

For those who want to get out and explore, trails range from short rim walks to steep routes that drop into the canyons and out to the base of the monoliths. Along the way, hikers may spot desert bighorn sheep on the ledges, along with lizards, jackrabbits, and the raptors that ride the updrafts along the cliffs.

Spring brings mild temperatures, desert wildflowers, and some of the best hiking weather of the year on the plateau.

Summer is hot and bright with little shade, best enjoyed early or late in the day, and afternoons can bring sudden thunderstorms and flash flooding in the canyons.

Fall returns cool, clear air and golden cottonwoods along the valley below, an ideal time for the rim drive and longer hikes.

Winter is cold and quiet, with occasional snow dusting the red rock in a striking contrast, and clear days that keep the canyons dramatic under a low sun.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is an independently owned, editorially selected place to stay.