Last Updated: July 18, 2026
Fruita was our first stop after leaving Flaming Gorge, Utah to see the Colorado National Monument. The area is desert on the high Colorado Plateau with steep walled canyons of rock and sandstone surrounded by juniper and pinyon forests.
Visitor Information — Colorado National Monument
Address: 1750 Rim Rock Dr, Fruita, CO 81521
Open: Year-round; Rim Rock Drive subject to temporary closures in winter weather
Phone: (970) 858-3617
Entry Fee: $25/vehicle (7-day pass); America the Beautiful Annual Pass accepted
Website: nps.gov/colm
Visitor Information — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Address: South Rim Visitor Center, 9800 Highway 347, Montrose, CO 81401
Open: Year-round; South Rim Road open spring through fall, weather dependent
Phone: (970) 641-2337
Entry Fee: $25/vehicle (7-day pass); America the Beautiful Annual Pass accepted
Website: nps.gov/blca
Fruita, Colorado
Fruita was settled in the 1880s. It was a perfect area for farming and started out as a fruit producing region. Over the years, it attracted outdoor enthusiasts because of mountain biking, hiking, rafting, and the Colorado National Monument.
Colorado National Monument, Fruita
We stayed at the Monument RV Resort which had full hookups and ok wifi. Sites were close together, but no one was loud or partying. Best part was that it is only a few miles from the National Monument and close to Grand Junction to provision.
The 23 mile Rim Rock Drive is spectacular. The sheer canyon walls are made up of red rock with gorgeous backgrounds of the valley and distant Colorado River. It was made a National Monument in 1911 and includes 20,000 acres.
Once we climbed to about 7,000 feet, there were two Golden Eagles perched.
The eagles can be huge with wingspans up to 7 feet.
There were Desert Bighorn Sheep at the higher elevation. We were lucky to have a couple of them pose for a photo op.
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
We stayed at a KOA in Montrose, Colorado. It had mostly long term rentals overflowing with too much stuff. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison was only 5 miles away.
We drove the south rim which had numerous pullouts for short walks to spectacular views.
The canyon was formed over 2 million years by the Gunnison River and erosion. It’s a very deep, steep, and narrow canyon.
It’s named the Black Canyon because the steepness makes it difficult for sunlight to penetrate into its depths, so it’s often in shadow.
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison was made a National Monument in 1933, then a National Park in 1999.
Upstream there are dams on the Gunnison River creating a peaceful environment.
We drove to Gunnison and enjoyed lunch at a brewery.
Crested Butte wasn’t that far away. The town is cute and in a scenic location, but at over 8,000 feet elevation it’s a wonderful place to visit, but maybe not live year round. We needed coffee for the ride home.
A huge herd of about 40 elk staying in Crested Butte, probably trying to avoid the hunters.
Practical Tips for Visiting Colorado National Monument and Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Drive Rim Rock Drive in the early morning. The 23-mile road through Colorado National Monument is at its best in the first hour after sunrise, when the red sandstone walls glow and the valley below is still cool and hazy. Traffic is minimal and the light for photography is exceptional. Allow at least two to three hours for the full drive with stops — rushing it means missing the overlooks.
Scan every rock ledge for Golden Eagles. We found two perched at eye level near the upper elevations of the monument — an extraordinary encounter. Golden Eagles are permanent residents here and are most visible in fall and winter when they hunt the canyon walls. Pull over at every wide spot and scan the ledges slowly with binoculars.
Desert Bighorn Sheep appear regularly near the upper rim. They’re most active in early morning and late afternoon. The animals are remarkably unafraid and will sometimes pose just feet from the road. Stay in your vehicle and give them space — approaching on foot will flush them off the ledges.
Monument RV Resort is the best base for Colorado National Monument. It’s only a few miles from the monument entrance, within easy reach of Grand Junction for supplies, and well-positioned for doing the Rim Rock Drive as an out-and-back or loop. Full hookups and workable wifi — the only downside is that sites are close together.
Stop at every pullout on the Black Canyon South Rim Drive. Each overlook gives a slightly different angle on the canyon — some look straight down 2,000 feet to the Gunnison River, others reveal the distinctive pink pegmatite veining in the ancient rock walls. The Painted Wall overlook is a must: it’s the tallest cliff in Colorado at 2,250 feet.
Gunnison and Crested Butte make excellent day trips. Gunnison is a classic Western mountain town with good restaurants and a lively brewery scene. Crested Butte, 28 miles north, is one of Colorado’s most scenic and well-preserved Victorian mountain towns — though at 8,885 feet, be prepared for thin air. A herd of elk sheltering near town during hunting season is a realistic bonus.
Both parks are less than 3 hours apart by car. Fruita (Colorado NM) to Montrose (Black Canyon) is about 90 miles on US-50. Pair them with a night in Montrose between visits. The KOA near Montrose puts you within 5 miles of Black Canyon’s south rim entrance — functional if unexciting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Colorado National Monument?
Colorado National Monument is a 20,533-acre NPS unit near Fruita and Grand Junction, Colorado, featuring dramatic red sandstone and shale canyons carved by wind and water on the edge of the Colorado Plateau. It was established in 1911 and is known for the 23-mile Rim Rock Drive, its towering monoliths and mesas, and year-round wildlife including Golden Eagles, Desert Bighorn Sheep, and mule deer. It sits just above the Grand Valley and the Colorado River.
What is the Rim Rock Drive?
Rim Rock Drive is the 23-mile scenic road through Colorado National Monument, running along the canyon rim between the Fruita and Grand Junction entrances. It passes dozens of named overlooks, rises to nearly 7,000 feet, and offers unobstructed views of red rock monoliths, sheer canyon walls, and the Grand Valley and Colorado River far below. It’s one of the finest scenic drives in the American West and accessible year-round except during rare winter weather closures.
Are there Golden Eagles at Colorado National Monument?
Yes — Golden Eagles are permanent residents of Colorado National Monument and are one of the park’s most exciting wildlife sightings. They nest on the canyon walls and are most visible from fall through early spring when vegetation is sparse. We found two perched on a rock ledge at nearly eye level from the road near the upper elevations — one of the most remarkable wildlife encounters of our entire trip.
Are there Bighorn Sheep at Colorado National Monument?
Yes — Desert Bighorn Sheep were reintroduced to Colorado National Monument in 1979 and have thrived since. They’re most commonly spotted in the upper elevations of the monument near the canyon rim, especially in early morning and late afternoon. We encountered a small group that posed cooperatively near the road — the rams with their massive curved horns are unmistakable.
What is the Black Canyon of the Gunnison?
Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a National Park near Montrose, Colorado, protecting a 48-mile stretch of the Gunnison River canyon — including the deepest, narrowest, and most dramatic 12-mile section. The canyon walls plunge up to 2,722 feet at their deepest point (the Painted Wall), carved through ancient Precambrian rock over 2 million years. It became a National Monument in 1933 and a National Park in 1999.
Why is it called the Black Canyon?
The canyon earns its name from the near-constant shadow that falls across its walls. The gorge is so narrow and so steep — some sections receive as little as 33 minutes of sunlight per day — that the rock faces are perpetually in dark shade, giving the walls a distinctly black or near-black appearance. The dark Precambrian schist and gneiss rock, streaked with pink and white pegmatite, adds to the effect.
Can you visit both Colorado National Monument and Black Canyon of the Gunnison in one trip?
Absolutely — they make a natural pair on any western Colorado road trip. Colorado National Monument (Fruita) is about 90 miles northwest of Black Canyon of the Gunnison (Montrose) via US-50, an easy two-hour drive. Spend one to two days at each. Grand Junction serves as a supply hub near Colorado NM, and Montrose is the gateway town for Black Canyon — both have full RV parks, hotels, and restaurants within easy striking distance of each park.
