A national park on a beautiful mesa full of dramatic canyon views.
High on top of a mesa, overlooking Fruita and Grand Junction, Colorado National Monument is full of dramatic canyons, pinyon and juniper forests and interesting rock formations below.
My plan was originally just to visit parks in Utah on this visit, but a friend suggested I also see Colorado National Monument, only about 1.5 hours outside of Moab, Utah. I’m glad he did, because it was a wonderful park. Unfortunately, the rain didn’t cooperate, giving me a late start in the morning and an early end in the afternoon. I wasn’t able to do the longer hike that I had planned, but I was still able to take in some amazing views in the short time I was there.
The park starts on the lands below the mesa. A winding scenic road takes you to the top. The rain clouds were hiding out in the distance there.
Behind the visitor center, the Canyon Rim Trail heads toward the campground, giving you great views of Monument Canyon.
Spring has arrived on top of the mesa.
Cool rock formations on the other side. Most of the park is actually canyons, with small mesas between, almost like fingers.
The end of the canyon gently rolls into the surrounding landscape.
Window Rock.
Colorado National Monument has a bunch of short easy trails that lead you to dramatic views, like Otto’s Trail.
The large rock formation that was visible from the rim trail.
At another overlook is the dramatic view of the Independence Monument, a fun climb apparently if you are a climber.
Close up on that Independence Monument.
So many dramatic views in this park.
The view from the Coke Ovens overlook.
The Coke Ovens, an entirely natural formation.
Such a spectacular landscape.
Fallen Rock.
Ute Canyon, one of my favorite areas of the park, with storm clouds moving back in.
Looking back towards the mesa.
And now the other direction.
I may have not been able to do the hike I wanted to do due to the weather, but I had a fantastic time here. I fell in love with the landscape, made the whole visit worth it. Whether you are a hiker or just a sight seer, Colorado National Monument is a perfect place to visit.
Check out my next update where I visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
