8 Colorado National Monument Hikes You Need to Tackle Now

Last Updated on January 23, 2024 by foxintheforest

Colorado National Monument is a stunning desert landscape made up of towering rock formations and sandstone canyons.

You can explore the hiking trails to get up close and personal with this unique landscape or take a scenic drive through the park to take it all in.

Either way, it’s absolutely worth visiting Colorado National Monument!

If you want the top hiking recommendations in Colorado National Monument from a local, I’ve got you totally covered.

I’ve called Colorado home for almost 15 years now and have hiked a ton of trails all over the state – including this stunning monument.

As a local hiking expert, I can help you explore the best Colorado National Monument hikes like a local, not a tourist.

About this Guide to Colorado National Monument Hikes

Inside this local guide to Colorado National Monument hikes, you’ll find expert advice about:

  • Where is Colorado National Monument located
  • Tips for visiting Colorado National Monument
  • The best Colorado National Monument hikes, broken down by difficulty
  • Colorado National Monument camping info
  • Additional Colorado hiking resources

Where is Colorado National Monument?

Colorado National Monument is one of the prettiest places in Colorado right next to Grand Junction, CO, near the border of Colorado and Utah.

If you’re looking for a weekend getaway from Denver, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Grand Junction as well as spending a day or two exploring the Colorado National Monument.

Colorado National Monument hikes map.
Click here for the full map.

Tips for Visiting Colorado National Monument

Colorado National Monument is one of the many amazing national parks and monuments in Colorado.

The entrance fee for Colorado National Monument is $25/vehicle or $15/hiker, which is good for 7 consecutive days. You can also use an annual National Parks Pass for admission to the monument.

Colorado National Monument is a desert environment, so make sure you know desert hiking tips before hiking on the 46 miles of trail in the park.

Also, dogs are NOT allowed on any hiking trails in Colorado National Monument.

Beyond Colorado National Monument hikes, be sure to check out Rim Rock Drive. The 23-mile road is truly one of the best scenic drives in Colorado with unforgettable views.

The Best Easy Colorado National Monument Hikes

These easy Colorado National Monument trails are great Grand Junction hikes that make a perfect intro to the park.

1. Otto’s Trail

This short trail heads through the unique desert flora of pinyon and juniper to take you to a spectacular overlook.

You can see many of the signature rock formations of the Colorado National Monument here, including Sentinel Spire, Pipe Organ, Praying Hands, and Independence Monument.

Distance: 0.7 miles out & back
Elevation Gain: 124 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Time: 15-30 mins

2. Coke Ovens Trail

The Coke Ovens Trail runs along a hillside and features views of the rounded rock formations known as the Coke Ovens. These formations demonstrate how Wingate sandstone erodes over time.

Distance: 0.9 miles out & back
Elevation Gain: 173 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Time: 30 mins

Man hiking on Coke Ovens Trail near Colorado National Monument.

3. Canyon Rim Trail to Window Rock

The Canyon Rim Trail to Window Rock is one of the absolute best hikes in Colorado National Monument.

It runs along the cliff edge at the top of Wedding Canyon offering amazing views of the rock formations below.

Distance: 1.8 miles out & back
Elevation Gain: 246 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Time: 45 min-1 hour

The Best Moderate Hikes in Colorado National Monument

The moderate Colorado National Monument hikes are an excellent way to explore more of the park.

4. Serpents Trail

The 16 switchbacks on this trail give it the name Serpents Trail for its crookedness. It’s a fun climb through the sandstone of the monument making it one of the unique Colorado hikes.

Distance: 3.4 miles out & back
Elevation Gain: 780 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Estimated Time: 1.5-2 hours

5. Monument Canyon Loop Trail

This moderate loop is one of the best Colorado National Monument hikes because it showcases a lot of the interesting sandstone formations in the park like the Independence Monument.

You can continue farther on Monument Canyon Trail to walk by more formations including the Kissing Couple and Coke Ovens.

Distance: 4.5-mile loop
Elevation Gain: 767 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Estimated Time: 2 hours

6. No Thoroughfare Canyon

The hike through No Thoroughfare Canyon takes you along the canyon wash to several waterfalls (which dry up by summer).

It’s a unique waterfall hike in Colorado in a desert environment with the canyon walls soaring hundreds of feet above you.

Distance: 5.6 miles out & back
Elevation Gain: 793 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

The Best Challenging Colorado National Monument Hikes

Head deeper into the desert with these challenging Colorado National Monument hikes.

7. Ute Canyon

This trail takes you steeply down from the plateau into Ute Canyon and then follows a streambed. Expect some ascents and descents throughout the hike.

Distance: 11.0 miles out & back
Elevation Gain: 1,912 feet
Difficulty: Challenging
Estimated Time: 5 hours

8. Liberty Cap Trail

This trail features some elevation gain as it ascends from the floor of the valley up to the Liberty Cap rock formation. You can do the short version, or continue along Monument Mesa before turning back.

Distance: 12.9 miles out & back
Elevation Gain: 2,004 feet
Difficulty: Challenging
Estimated Time: 6 hours

What to Pack

This complete list covers everything you need for a desert hike, including a few goodies that I love to take with me for a more comfortable time!

  • Plenty of water – I like to use a water container for the car. Budget at least 4 liters per person per day, more if you’re out in the summer months.
  • Sunscreen, sunhat with a wide brim, sunglasses
  • Sunshirt
  • First Aid Kit with tweezer (for cacti)
  • Noncotton socks
  • Breathable footwear that you feel comfortable wearing all day
  • Non-cotton shorts for hiking
  • Non-cotton, lightweight pants for hiking. Pants protect you against aggravating foliage.
  • Non-cotton, breathable t-shirt for hiking (the sun can really beat you up if you wear tank tops, so be aware)
  • Electrolyte powder
  • A water bladder capable of carrying at least 2 liters of water.
  • Salty snacks
  • Camera
  • Camera clip to strap to your back
  • Beanie – the desert can get cold at night so warm clothes are great to have
  • Glove liners
  • Fleece layer (fall through spring)
  • Puffy layer (fall through spring)
  • Hiking poles (optional)
  • A hiking pack. I love the REI Flash series for something mutli-use and economical
  • A toilet kit: shovel, WAG Bag (most national parks require this), hand sanitizer, TP/baby wipes, a small plastic baggy to pack out TP and sanitary items
  • Pee funnel – optional
  • Pee rag – optional
  • A plastic baggy for trash (wrappers, fruit peels, etc). I like to use compostable dog waste bags.
  • Headlamp
  • GPS navigation 
  • emergency communication device
  • Wind/rain layer
  • Pocket knife

Camping in Colorado National Monument

If you want to turn your visit to Colorado National Monument into a weekend getaway in Colorado, you can spend the night in the park.

Saddlehorn Campground has 80 campsites in two loops, and one of the loops is open year-round.

You can also get a free backcountry camping permit to backpack in the park.

Additional Colorado Hiking Resources

Meg Atteberry
Meg Atteberry

Meg is a long-time Colorado local and outdoor industry professional. She's spent the last 15 years hiking, climbing, mountaineering, and canyoneering all over Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada in search of the best views. She's written for Outside Magazine, REI, Backpacker Magazine, and appeared on the Weather Channel.

Hi There!

Meg Atteberry standing on a mountain sticking her tongue out

Meg aka Fox is a 30-something who's born to explore. Toddler mom, queer, and neuro-spicy her favorite things to do are climb in the alpine and camp in the desert. Her mission is to get you out on your greatest adventure.