We stayed near Grand Junction, Colorado for several months on our recent adventure out west, and one of our favorite places we visited was Colorado National Monument!
Nestled near the town of Grand Junction, Colorado, the Colorado National Monument is a breathtaking natural treasure that features rugged beauty and geologic wonders. Towering red rock formations, deep canyons, and panoramic vistas stretch as far as you can see and the hikes are awe-inspiring.
This national monument, established in 1911, is a testament to the forces of nature that have sculpted the landscape over millions of years. The red rock cliffs and canyons here are primarily made up of ancient sedimentary rock layers with a rich geological history.
Amazing Scenery
One of the standout features is the Monument Canyon, where massive rock formations like the Independence Monument. The Independence Monument is a striking monolith (it’s the image above from our YouTube video!), and the hike out to it is amazing.
Whether you’re an experience hiker or just looking for a memorable day trip, the Colorado National Monument is a must-visit destination. Its timeless beauty and geological significance make it a place where the wonders of the natural world unfold before your eyes!
There are a lot of things to do in the area! Here are a few links that might be of interest to you:
- Colorado National Monument
- Black Canyon National Park – it’s only about an 1 1/2 hours SE of Grand Junction, Colorado!
- Million Dollar Highway – it runs from Durango to Ouray, Colorado and the views are incredible! Ouray is only about 1 1/2 hours south of Grand Junction!
- FREE CAMPING south of Grand Junction – we camped here several times during our stay in the area! It’s only 30 minutes south of Grand Junction and 10 minutes north of Delta, Colorado!
- Museum of the Mountain West – this amazing museum is located in Montrose, Colorado, only about 1 hour south of Grand Junction!
- Little Dominguez Canyon – this hike is located only about 15 minutes south of Grand Junction and features an amazing landscape to explore! This is a link to our video!
If you drive a few hours southwest of Grand Junction, you’ll reach Cortez, Colorado. This is another incredible place in Colorado with amazing history. We did an epic hike out to several ancient structures in Sand Canyon, just west of Cortez. It is definitely a place you want to visit if you’re interested in the history of the southwest!
