Saddlehorn Visitor Center is where most people begin their excursion to Colorado National Monument. There are a handful of great trails, short and long, that begin here. The 18-minute park film, exhibit hall, and bookstore are all located in the visitor center. Check out the What To See tab in the app to choose between Short Hiking Trails and Longer Hiking Trails and see descriptions of each.
Stay hydrated by drinking water at least every half hour, and wear plenty of sunscreen. Hats and sunglasses are highly recommended. Practice Leave No Trace principles by staying on the main trail, ensuring your trash gets taken with you and is stored securely, and taking only pictures and memories. It is illegal to approach wildlife, so admire lizards, desert bighorn sheep, and other critters from a distance.
Short Hiking Trails
These easy trails will give you a good first taste of what the Monument has to offer.
Alcove Nature Trail
* Location: Directly across Rim Rock Drive from the Saddlehorn Visitor Center
* Mileage: 0.5 one way (0.8 km) one-way
* Difficulty Level: Easy (mostly level)
* Elevation of trail (not elevation gain): 5,800 feet (1768 meters)
* Average time: 1/2 hour
* Usage: Hiking only. Horses prohibited.
* Description: Level trail that travels to an alcove in a box canyon. Detailed trail guides are available at the trailhead and the visitor center. A good introduction to some of the plants, animals, and rocks of the monument. Great for families with small children.
Canyon Rim Trail
* Location: Starts behind the Saddlehorn Visitor Center and ends at Book Cliffs View.
* Mileage: 0.5 one way (0.8 km)
* Difficulty Level: Easy
* Elevation of trail (not elevation gain): 5,626 feet (1715 meters)
* Average time: 1/2 hour
* Usage: Hiking only. Horses prohibited.
* Description: Level trail following the cliff edge above colorful Wedding Canyon. Outstanding views make this a favorite for landscape and wildlife photographers. Check out the Canyon Rim and Window Rock Trail. You can connect to Window Rock Trail from Canyon Rim at the Bookcliff Shelter. Adding this extension to your hike adds another quarter mile to your one-way distance.
Longer Hiking Trail
The Black Ridge Trail is great for a longer day hike or an overnight in the backcountry. It climbs up from the same trailhead as the Alcove Nature Trail, but once you're on the ridge it's mostly rolling hills. Ask for a free backcountry permit for overnight camping from a ranger in the visitor center.
Black Ridge Trail
* Location: Three access points: (1) across from the Saddlehorn Visitor Center in the north, (2) accessed by the CCC Trail 3.8 miles (6.1 km) east from the visitor center - trailhead on the right, (3) and at 6.4 miles (10.3 km) east from the visitor center - trailhead on the left; you can also access Liberty Cap Trail from this trailhead.
* Mileage: 5.5 one way (8.8 km)
* Difficulty Level: Moderate
* Elevation: 5,790 to 6,730 feet (1765 to 2051 meters)
* Average time: 3 hours
* Usage: Hiking and horseback riding.
* Description: Highest trail in the park with far-reaching views west to Utah canyonlands, east to Grand Valley, and south to the San Juan Mountains. Follows up-and-down terrain of Black Ridge. Trail crosses into McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area (Bureau of Land Management lands).
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
