Brochure

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Enjoy Sheer Wonders of the Colorado Plateau Inch by inch, foot by foot. All around you, this dramatic landscape is always changing. Earth’s powerful forces and past climates built the land up; erosion continuously wears it down. They tell a spectacular story of our dynamic planet. Welcome to one of the great landscapes of the West, preserved since 1911 as Colorado National Monument. In this semiarid climate, a variety of life thrives, including desert bighorn sheep, golden eagles, and fragile biological soil crust. Hike along oldgrowth pinyon-juniper woodland, arid grassland, and upland shrub. Riparian habitats green up seasonally. Colorado National Monument Colorado Explore a plateau-and-canyon country full of red rock geology. Vibrant colors of exposed rock reveal some of Earth’s history at the edge of the Colorado Plateau. Travel up to 2,000 feet above the valley floor along the park’s scenic drive. Enjoy the inspiring views of sheer-walled cliffs, deep canyons, and towering rock formations (monoliths). Camp in the wild backcountry under the stars. This is a land on the move. How Did the Rock Layers Form? Around 1.7 billion years ago, geologic processes and changing climates began to build this land. Over millions of years, layers of sandstone, shale, mudstone, and limestone covered basement rock of gneiss, schist, and granite. Gradually, some land was uplifted to over 6,000 feet. The subtle strength of erosion whittled much of it away, revealing a colorful interior. Exposed rock layers (right) show us this area’s past of oceans, marshes, and deserts. Top of Black Ridge Finding the Layers You can see many rock layers throughout the park. To find the locations at right, fold this panel back to the other side of the brochure. Use it with the map to explore. This spectacular peek inside our planet tells a story of ongoing transformation. This Soil Is Alive! As you explore park trails, you may notice dark, bumpy soil lining the paths. This is biological soil crust—living soil. Mosses, algae, lichens, fungi, bacteria, and cyanobacteria settle together to form a web. The web binds soil and sand and holds in water. This lets Highland View seeds grow and plants root, adding life to the nourishing— though fragile—habitat. NPS / CARLA DEKALB How will it move you? PEREGRINE FALCON © GREG GARD DEVIL’S KITCHEN MONOLITHS © CHRIS EATON Artists Point Alcove Nature Trail Rim Rock Drive between Historic View and Distant View INDEPENDENCE MONUMENT Independence Monument, Kissing Couple, Coke Ovens and other rock monoliths Colorado National Monument Shaping Independence Monument Rim Rock Drive between Redlands View and Balanced Rock DESERT BIGHORN SHEEP © EUGENE BECKES VIEW ACROSS MONUMENT CANYON FROM CANYON RIM TRAIL © CHRIS EATON Natural forces continually change rock. Independence Monument was once part of a massive rock wall between Wedding and Monument canyons (background). Soft layers of sandstone and shale left the rock vulnerable to erosion and weathering. They weakened the wall along natural fractures, and the canyons deepened. Over time, parts of the wall broke and collapsed. This exposed many colorful rock layers (right) like the reddishorange Wingate Formation dominating the scenery. Today, a stout remnant of the rock wall survives as the 450-foot-tall Independence Monument. But don’t get too attached. In time it, too, will succumb to erosion. NPS Lowest layer of Monument Canyon Explore a Living Landscape 11,500-6,400 BCE (before common era) Groups of people ranged big areas to hunt large animals and gather plants. with farmed maize, beans, and squash. for resources and hunting deer, elk, and bighorns. Ouray Ute Human History 400 BCE-1300 Wild foods are supplemented 6,400-400 BCE People migrated seasonally Southern Ute Uintah Ute Colorado National Monument lies within several traditional American Indian homelands. Oral history of some descendant Tribal communities, including the Ute, claim affiliation with these lands since time immemorial. Their lives were changed in the 1880s when the US government forcibly relocated them to reservations. Today, the people of the Navajo Nation, the Ute of Uintah and Ouray, Ute Mountain Ute, Southern Ute, and White Mesa Ute tribes maintain deep connections to these lands. Ute Mountain Ute 1300-1881 Bands of Ute and Navajo forage, hunt, and trade furs across the region. 1931-50 The Civilian Conservation Corps and other organizations build Rim Rock Drive. 1956-66 National Park Service Mission 66 projects improve many areas of the park. Navajo Nation White Mesa Ute Archeological evidence dates the earliest human presence here to at least 10,000 years ago. Historic artifacts like baskets reflect the rhythms of daily life as people moved through these lands seasonally. Civilian Conservation Corps National Monument In the early 1900s John Otto (right) envisioned this land as a national monument and began tirelessly promoting it. He built miles of canyon trails and guided visitors to appreciate the landscape’s beauty. Construction of a scenic drive along the canyon rim began in November 1931. In 1933 President Franklin Roosevelt established the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Local men skilled in carpentry, construction, and masonry helped build the road (right) until 1942, when the CCC was disbanded. The National Park Service completed Rim Rock Drive in 1950. On May 24, 1911, President William Howard Taft established Colorado National Monument. Otto was the park’s caretaker until 1927. Today, you can hike remnants of his hand-hewn trails. One-rod-and-bundle style basket (Fremont culture). Left: Chief Atchee (Ute) after removal from the Grand Valley. BASKET—USU EASTERN PREHISTORIC MUSEUM / EPHRAIM P. & DOROTHY HICKMAN PECTOL COLLECTION; CHIEF ATCHEE—NPS / DON ROTH NPS NPS Canyon wren © TOM GREY Plan Your Visit Enjoy exploring Colorado National Monument in all seasons through a variety of activities. Rock formations, geologic processes, wildlife, plants, habitats, and cultural imprints—the park is a living laboratory of educational and scientific value. It is also a place of beauty, wonder, wilderness, and recreation. Accessibility  We strive to make facilities, services, and programs accessible to all. For information go to the visitor center, ask a ranger, call, or check the park website. Service animals are allowed. Visitor Center  Check out the film, exhibits, and gift shop. Staff can help plan your visit and answer questions. In summer, attend ranger-guided walks and talks. Open daily except some holidays; call or check the park website before you visit. Rim Rock Drive  Bicyclists and motorists can drive this scenic, 23mile road along the plateau rim. Park at roadside overlooks for spectacular panoramas. Hiking  Take the park’s 45-mile trail system to scenic overlooks, into deep canyons, or across plateau country. When choosing a trail, consider your experience, physical fitness, interests, and time. Hike Cautiously  Surfaces may be slippery or unstable. Stay on trails or hike on hard, dry surfaces. Some trails slope gradually; others are steep. • When hiking the backcountry or off-trail, tell someone your plans and carry a topographic map. • Wear sturdy hiking boots and sunscreen. Bring and drink plenty of water. Picnicking  Picnic areas have tables, restrooms, and water (seasonally). The Devils Kitchen and visitor center picnic areas also have shade shelters. persons below. • Drink one gallon of water per person per day. • Watch for weather changes, high temperatures, thunderstorms, lightning, high winds, and flash floods. During a storm, avoid exposed and low-lying areas. • Do not rely on GPS for navigation. • Observe wildlife from a distance. Beware of venomous, stinging, and biting animals. Saddlehorn Campground  Sites (fee) are first-come, first-served, or reserve at www.recreation.gov. Sites have a picnic table and charcoal grill. Restrooms and drinking water are nearby. RV and vehicle-and-trailer lengths are limited to 40 feet. Backcountry  Enjoy a wilderness experience. Get a camping permit at the visitor center. Stay Safe  Be “edge aware.” Cliff edges are steep and unstable. Mind Emergencies call 911 your step and monitor your children at overlooks and drop-offs. • Rockfall is possible. Be alert. Stay on secure areas. • Do not throw rocks or other objects over cliffs; they can injure Regulations  Federal law protects all natural and cultural features in the park; do not disturb, deface, or destroy. • Do not feed or disturb wildlife. • Motorized vehicles must yield to bicyclists, pedestrians, and wildlife. • Wheeled and motorized vehicles are prohibited off roads and on trails. • Lights are required for bicycles and vehicles in tunnels. • Pets are prohibited inside buildings, on trails, and in the backcountry. Pets cannot be left unattended. • Follow state firearms laws. Other weapons and hunting are prohibited. • Wood fires are prohibited. Charcoal fires are allowed in provided grills. • Remotely piloted aircraft, including drones, are prohibited. • Practice Leave No Trace principles. • Biological soil crust is easily destroyed; don’t bust the crust! Partnership  The Colorado National Monument Association (CNMA) partners with the National Park Service to inspire community and visitors to learn about, play in, and protect Colorado’s geologic gem. Learn more at www.coloradonma.org. Colorado National Monument is one of over 400 parks in the National Park System. Learn more about national parks at www.nps.gov. More Information   Colorado National Monument 1750 Rim Rock Dr. Fruita, CO 81521 970-858-2800 www.nps.gov/colm colm_info@nps.gov Follow us on social media. Use the NPS App to guide your visit. Join the park community. www.nationalparks.org IGPO: 2022—419-059/82931 New in 2022