Near Grand Junction, Colorado and on the way to Arches National Park, is one of the most beautiful national monuments in our country, and it gets darn little press for all of its grand scenery.
Colorado National Monument is situated just outside of the closest International airport to Arches. And, there is a lot more to do there than just drive around Rim Rock Drive. Camping and hiking are in abundance, and this just might be one of the best areas to get away from the national park millions and enjoy a quiet hike that opens up canyon vistas and flowered high plateau meadows , as well as intimate waterfalls that empty into crystal clear ponds and streams.
Because of its proximity to Grand Junction, it is possible to get a hike or drive in and still get to Moab for your Arches Adventure. We landed in Grand Junction, stopped for a quick bite at a Wendy's, and were out shooting some awesome footage and photos within an hour of deplaning.
Colorado N.M. offers an enitely different color range from the red entrada stone and slick rock of Arches. Bringing home photos from here will add an entire new layer of depth to your Arches trip album.
Eastern looking view from Rim Drive. Photo by Stu Marks (Spring 2005)
The reason Arches can play such a large part of visiting Colorado National Monument is because of the travel itinerary of those heading to Arches via airplane. If you are one of the millions that visits Arches National Park, or Dead Horse Point State Park, or even the Green River and Colorado Goose Neck of Canyonlands, chances are you are going to fly into Grand Junction, and drive right by Colorado National Monument.
Stu Marks, Adventure-Space Editor
Lower Falls of No Thoroughfare Canyon. Photo by Adam of Demand Media and Trails.com
Some of Colorado's most spectacular colors can be found in the amazing land of carved sandstone just outside of Grand Junction. Colorado National Monument is a shining example of fantastically-sculpted, colossal geology, full of color, texture, shape, and the diversity of wildflowers that dwell there.
TRAILS.COM / PAMELA & DAVID IRWIN
Activity Type: Hiking
Nearby City: Grand Junction
Length: 3 total miles
Trail Type: Out-and-Back
Skill Level: Easy
Season: Bloom is late May to early June
Top Elev: 5100 feet
Local Contacts: Colorado National Monument
Local Maps: No Thoroughfare Canyon Topo Map
Guide Book: Colorado's Best Wildflower Hikes: The High Country Guide Book
Source: Trails.com
Stu Marks
Editor-in-Chief, Adventure-Space.com
Travel Editor, Adventure-Zone
Field Producer - Team Two