The kids loved the hike from the visitor center to the book cliffs view. Colorado national monument colorado scenic drives on. We will be arriving in grand junction around noon on sunday. Book cliffs viewpoint, colorado national monument amid the monument s countless orangeandbrown cliffs and rock formations, these cliffs attract the lions share of attention, calling to mind the image of a mighty giant who would deposit his treasured volumes on the worlds largest bookshelf. Frame 3 shows the cliffs at far left over the base of the great monocline at colorado national monument. Sheerwalled canyons cut deep into sandstone and granitegneissschist rock formations. Monument canyon trail and coke ovens overlook trail colorado national monument, colorado. The sites landscape is dominated by alternating steepwalled canyons and cliffs, and gently sloping mesa tops. This lesserknown park covers over 20,500 acres of deep canyons, sweeping valleys, and towering stone monoliths. Guide to colorados national parks, monuments and historic sites.
With yearround recreational activities, browns canyon is an ideal place to explore colorados natural beauty. Washed out 09192002 the exposure was off, picture needs darkening. Colorado national monument travel usa lonely planet. The colorado national monument is located at the northern edge of the uncompahgre plateau. Colorado s eight national monuments include browns canyon, colorado national monument, chimney rock, canyons of the ancients, dinosaur, florissant fossil beds, hovenweep and yucca house. Frame 4 shows the cliffs in the distance north of the east entrance to colorado national monument. From hiking to fossil finding and wildlife watching, all the states monuments offer unique experiences for visitors. Sites are suitable for recreational vehicles as well as tents. Over millions of years tributaries of the colorado river carved through the edges of the high plateau bordering the river, creating a stunning area of colorful mazelike canyons, sculpted spires, pinnacles, and other jaw dropping sandstone creations. Frame 1 in this series is a telephoto of the book cliff seen to the east across the top of the uncompahgre plateau from independence monument view. This 80site campground is adjacent to the park visitor center and several hiking options are nearby, including window rock trail, alcove nature trail, and canyon rim trail. Exploring colorado national monument visit grand junction. The colorado national monument is the crown jewel of the western slope, where the setting sun alights otherworldly redrock formations.
Colorado national monument audubon important bird areas. Books cliff view overlook, colorado national monument. Colorado national monument is located at the far north edge of the uncompahgre plateau, west of the city of grand junction. Colorado national monument was created in 1911 to protect one of the american southwests most iconic landscapes. Now for a closer look taken along i70 just east of grand junction. May 01, 2018 browns canyon national monument is a protected stretch of canyon encompassing national forest land and bureau of land management land. Due largely to the tireless efforts of john otto, colorado national monument was designated as a national monument in 1911.
Book cliffs view grand view independence monument view monument canyon view coke ovens overlook artists point highland view fallen rock overlook upper. The saddlehorn campground is open yearround and features both firstcome, firstserve sites, as well as reservable sites. Redlands view overlook in colorado national monument panoramic view. The monument is a fine area of desert climbing in colorado. Monument canyon is the reason for this areas preservation, running north to south through the park and housing sandstone formations that have inspired names like window rock, praying hands, and kissing couple. The book cliffs view offers an intimate setting to have a wedding ceremony. An insiders guide to colorado national monument visit grand. The book cliffs view shelter offers a panoramic view of wedding and monument canyons, as well as views of fruita and grand junction, the book cliffs, and the grand mesa. The book cliffs view shelter offers one of the most breathtaking views the colorado national monument has to offer. The national park service is modifying its operations on a parkbypark basis in accordance with. The book cliffs view shelter offers a panoramic view of wedding and monument canyons, as well as views of fruita and grand junction, the. Colorado national monument is a true gem, just about 7 miles south of i70 in fruita, colorado. This lookout is one of the best in the national monument and the perfect spot to take in the surrounding area and all it has to offer. The drive gives sightseers a wonderful view of grand sandstone towers and cliffs, as well as inspiring views of the grand valley below.
The 23 mile rim rock road was build through the park in the 1930s. Monument canyon trail and coke ovens overlook trail. Aug 25, 2016 guide to colorados national parks, monuments and historic sites. Serpents trail in colorado national monument grand junction. The shelter is often used for small wedding ceremonies and also for ranger programs. The cliffs and canyons of the colorado national monument, beside grand. Colorado national monument, grand junction, colorado. Colorado national monument grand junction real estate 74. Saddlehorn campground is the only campground in colorado national monument, and is well located within the park. The shelter was built by the civilian conservation corps ccc and is registered as an historical building.
Zillow has 74 homes for sale in grand junction co matching colorado national monument. Colorado national monument grand junction forum tripadvisor. On may 24, 1911, president william howard taft established colorado national monument in mesa county, near grand junction. See these 8 amazing spots at colorado national monument. Event participants must park in the saddlehorn picnic parking lot. Today the monument, one of eight in colorado, encompasses more than 20,000 acres of sandstone cliffs and monoliths, scenic canyons, and sparse vegetation. Majestic wildlife, glorious nature scenes and more can be found at the colorado national monument, where travelers flock each year to take in the sights and participate in outdoor activities. Colorado national monument protects 20,500 acres of canyons and giant rock formations in western colorado.
Discover the geological history that made colorado national monument one of the states most iconic landscapes. You can find book cliffs view next door to window rock trail mentioned earlier. The monument offers breathtaking views, fascinating geological formations, and awesome hiking and biking opportunities. The most famous of these formations is independence monument, the largest freestanding monument in the park at 450 feet high. Toutes les infos utiles pour visiter colorado national monument. If youd like to extend your visit to colorado national monument overnight, there is one campground that operates within the monument. Book cliffs view 09192002 the compression algorithm blurred the details of this picture of the book cliffs and grand junction from the book cliffs view in colorado national monument.
Colorado national monument articles colorado encyclopedia. Diesmal hatten wir in unserer reiseplanung einen abstecher zum colorado national monument geplant. Vegetation consists primarily of woodlands of pinyon pine and utah juniper. The hike sits on the 36,1acre little book cliffs wild horse range that provides free roaming and protection over herds of wild horses. Fruita and grand junctions pride and joy if youre visiting fruita or grand junction, colorado national monument is probably on your list of things to do. I would suggest driving from the fruita side if you have a fear of sheer drop offs since you will spend more of your time against the mountainside.
Hike its starkly beautiful landscape or watch from camp as lightning storms roll across the distant plains. The book cliffs are a range of eroding, steepsloping cliffs, also called. On the way up mount garfield, be on the lookout for wild horses. Redlands view overlook in colorado national monument. A colorado woman has been charged with attempting to drive off a cliff at a national monument with four children and two dogs. Located in fruita, colorado, the colorado national monument was established by president taft in 1911 and has been a protected site ever since. Frame 2 is a wideangle of the cliffs standing on the horizon behind monument canyon at colorado national monument. Colorado national monument, perhaps one of colorados bestkept secrets, is truly a desert wonderland. Book cliffs view, independence monument view see below, coke ovens overlook, and cold shivers point see below are accessible overlooks along rim rock drive. Colorado national monument locally referred to as the monument is a national park service unit near the city of grand junction, colorado. These colorado cliffs look like books on a shelf outthere colorado. President barack obama designated browns canyon as a national monument. Start your trip with a stop at the colorado national monument visitor center, located near the west entrance, for uptodate information.
Sitting more than 2,000 feet above the colorado river, the plateau rose once, completely eroded, and rose again over the last 2 billion years. At the visitor center, videos are opencaptioned, and an induction loop is provided for users of hearing aids. Most visitors to colorado national monument drive the roads and view the scenery from the overlooks. Colorado national monument grand junction real estate.
My front yard view is the colorado national monument, what a beautiful sight. Great inspiration for planning a colorado national park loo. The book cliffs shelter viewed from the canyon rim trail. Have to pick up a rental, then had planned to drive to some view points along the colorado national monument. With its deep canyons, layered orange rock walls and unique rock structures, colorado national monument gives you a small taste of what youll see if you explore southern utah, especially moab. Colorado national monument 09202002 view of monument from near the ranger station. This view does not include use of the book cliffs shelter. The national park service celebrates its centennial this year. Explore colorado national monument holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. The colorado national monument is located near the utah border next to the city of grand junction. Book cliffs viewpoint, colorado national monument amid the monuments countless orangeandbrown cliffs and rock formations, these cliffs attract the lions share of attention, calling to mind the image of a mighty giant who would deposit his treasured volumes on the worlds largest bookshelf. Colorado national monument, a ruggedly beautiful desert landscape more reminiscent of utahs grandeur, provides a look into the lesser known redrock landscapes of coloradomiles of trails wind through the monument, but if you can only do one long trail, the 11. Colorado national monument national park explorers. Saddlehorn campground offers the only rv and trailer camping opportunity in the park.
Book cliff view is right next to the visitor center and the saddlehorn campground. Find these viewpoints on the park map download the sunrise and sunset times check out the photo gallery for inspiration. It would be an excellent hiking choice for those in grand junction who want a quick hike or desire to exercise. The colorado national monument between grand junction and fruita. Colorado national monument is one of those places that many of us drive by a hundred times its right between denver and moab, utah before finally entering the protected area and discovering the extent of this national treasurethat is so easily accessed from interstate70. Made of sandstone, the plateau spans from here all the way to telluride. Aptly named for the stunning view of the book cliffs, this short walk takes you. Colorado national monument protects 32 square miles of wilderness near grand junction, colorado. A day at the colorado national monument visit grand. Download 7,522 colorado national monument stock photos for free or amazingly low rates.
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