Wandering through the Colorado National Monument

The Colorado National Monument is a gorgeous and unexpected treasure located on the western side of this diverse state, in Grand Junction, Colorado.

A few weeks ago, Chad and I were able to visit the Monument and take our time driving through. We took advantage of all the overlooks, posed in front of geological formations, and couldn’t help but appreciate the rugged and somewhat unknown beauty of this national landmark.

The best part, at least in my opinion, was getting to see some wildlife. We saw several big-horned sheep through our car windows, lazily crossing the road and saying hello (from a distance!). There are known to be sheep and goats near the Fruita end of the Monument, so be sure to keep an eye out.

You can hike, bike (though it looks mildly terrifying), and drive through the canyon. Once you’re inside, you can spend an hour, afternoon, or entire week exploring the area and getting to know the trails and local wildlife.

Entrance fees

Since it is a national park, there are entrance fees to access the monument.

Private, non-commercial vehicle: $20
Motorcycle: $15
Individual (hiker, bicyclist): $10

Passes are paid for at the entrance station by credit card, cash, or check, and are good for seven days.

Visit the Colorado National Monument

If you have time for a visit, the Colorado National Monument is worth a trek, whether it’s from across the state, country, or pond. If you’re looking for other things to do, check out my recent post on local Grand Junction activities.

Address:

1750 Rim Rock Drive
Fruita, CO 81521

Sunshine radiates here.

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Established in 2018, Sunshine with Savannah is a catch-all blog with an emphasis on weekend travel, millennial-style marriage and fun, reflection-based musings, outdoor adventure, home design, and all things lifestyle.

Though the content is diverse and varied, the heart of this space stays true to a single, guiding principle: a simple pursuit to find sunshine, wherever I go.

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