Colorado National Monument encapsulates the quintessential “American West”

Located just west of Grand Junction, the park is chock full of sights and hiking trails. Here is a list of 7 great hikes that can easily fit into a weekend trip:

________________________________________

Located in the Northern Portion of the Park:

Monument Valley Loop

If you plan to do any hiking in Colorado National Monument, do this one! The loop is 4.5 miles, easy/moderate difficulty, and meanders through monument valley where you can gaze upon all the incredible rock structures up close.

Praying Hands Colorado National Monument

__________________________

Canyon Rim Trail

Close to Saddlehorn Campground and the Visitor’s Center, this trail is easy to get to and offers incredible views of Monument Valley. At 1.8 miles and with virtually no elevation gain or loss this is an easy trail to fit in to your visit.

Landscape view of hiking Colorado National Monument

__________________________________________

Otto’s Trail

I can’t think of any other trail that offers such a great view for so little work! The trail is only 0.7 miles round-trip and gives hikers an amazing view of Monument Valley.

Hiker Gazing on Colorado National Monument

Hiking Colorado National Monument Canyon Zoomed

__________________________

Coke Ovens Trail

This trail descends a little ways down the canyon wall and gives another perspective on Monument Valley. At 0.9 miles round-trip, it is another easy trail to add to your list (although there is a bit of elevation gain and loss).

Hiking Colorado National Monument Coke Ovens

Coke Ovens Trail Hiking Colorado National Monument Coke Ovens Rock Wall

__________________________

Located in the Southern Portion of the Park:

Devil’s Kitchen

Devil’s Kitchen is a blast! It’s about 0.75 miles to get there from the trailhead with little elevation gain. It offers wonderful views and opportunity to play around on the rocks. Definitely fit this one in!

Hiking Colorado National Monument Devils Kitchen View from the top

________________________________________

No Thoroughfare Canyon

This trail has lighter traffic than the others on this list while still offering serene beauty. The trail follows the creek most of the way and “ends” at a waterfall (hikers may choose to continue for an additional mile on unmaintained trail). With a distance of 5-7 miles round-trip (depending on where hikers decide to turn back), this trail is moderately difficult.

Hiking Colorado National Monument No Thoroughfare with wall view

__________________________

Serpents Trail

Fitting its name, this well-maintained and heavily trafficked trail slithers up to the canyon rim along switchbacks. While only 3.4 miles round-trip, this trail gains nearly 800 feet in elevation along the 1.7 mile ascent, making it moderately difficult. This trail offers some great views of Rimrock Drive winding through the valley.