by Alex Gugel , all rights reserved
Colorado National MonumentMotor Coach Guide for Rim Rock Drive |
Motor Coach Guide for Rim Rock Drive at the Colorado National Monument (NM) in Colorado. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
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Colorado
National Monument
National Park Service
Department of the nterior
Fruita, CO 81521
Motor Coach Guide for Rim Rock Drive
Welcome to Colorado National Monument! Your guests are about to experience one of the grandest scenic
drives in the American West. Rim Rock Drive offers 23 miles of twists and turns above red rock canyons and
alongside pinyon-juniper forest. The road — built from 1931 to 1950 by the Civilian Conservation Corps
(CCC), Local Experienced Men (LEMs), and the Works Project Administration (WPA) — is inseparable rom
the identity o the monument. The drive provides access to Saddlehorn Visitor Center and Campground, three
picnic areas, 19 signed overlooks, and 14 hiking trails. Easy access to overlooks will allow your guests to gaze
upon towering shrines and scan canyons or raptors. Look or bighorn sheep along the drive. Allow at least one
hour driving time, plus additional time or walking, photography, or stopping at pullouts.
Road Grades
From the west entrance to the Saddlehorn Visitor Center and rom the east
entrance to Cold Shivers Point, the grade is between 6-9 percent (steeper rom the
east side). The west entrance is at 4690 eet; the highest point in the park is 6640
eet; and the east entrance is at 4930 eet.
Tunnel
Dimensions
Clearance ranges rom a low o 11’5” at a point two eet rom the curb to a
maximum o 16’1” above the center o the road.
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Fees
Lower West Tunnel - 236 eet long
Upper West Tunnel - 182 eet long
East Tunnel - 530 eet long
Tour companies pay $100 or a coach with a seating capacity o 26 or more
passengers. The ee is paid at the entrance station by cash, check, or credit card.
Overlook Stops
(1) Book Clifs View along Saddlehorn Campground road, see Saddlehorn Picnic
Area (below) or directions. Pull-in pull-out on one-way road.
(2) Independence Monument View 1.5 miles (2.4 km) east o the visitor center
along Rim Rock Drive. Accessible. Turning radius allows you to continue east or
west. Experience dramatic views o Independence Monument.
(3) Cold Shivers Point 15.5 miles (24.9 km) east o the visitor center. Accessible.
Pull-in pull-out, continue east.
(4) Devils Kitchen Picnic Area 19 miles (30.6 km) east o the visitor center.
Accessible. Drive through parking lot. Marvel at the historic structures built by
the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. See i you can fnd the reverse ault.
Saddlehorn
Visitor Center
Located our miles rom the west entrance, the Saddlehorn Visitor Center ofers a
store, exhibits, great views, short strolls, restrooms, seasonal ranger-led programs,
and two 12-minute flms: “The Spirit o Colorado National Monument” and
“The Geologic Evolution o Colorado National Monument.” Driver: Please
rop visitors of at the accessible ramp in front of the visitor center, exit the
parking lot, an rive back aroun to the esignate parking area.
Saddlehorn
Picnic rea
Saddlehorn Picnic Area, adjacent to the Saddlehorn Campground, can easily
accommodate your motor coach. Consider stopping at Book Clifs View along the
way or Grand Valley vistas and monolith panoramas. The campground road is
one way. To reach the overlook, turn le t into the campground area and continue
straight (past campground loops A, B, C). The overlook is on the le t.
ccessible
menities
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Restrooms at the Saddlehorn Visitor Center and Devils Kitchen Picnic Area.
Picnic areas at Saddlehorn Visitor Center and Devils Kitchen.
Overlooks at Independence Monument View and Cold Shivers Point.
Seasonal ranger-led talks on the porch o the Saddlehorn Visitor Center.
Both visitor center videos are open-captioned. An induction loop is provided
or the beneft o users o hearing aids, and assisted listening devices are
available at the ront desk.
Motor Coach
Regulations
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Drivers are prohibited rom idling their engines at overlooks and parking
areas, including the visitor center parking lot.
Any spills must be reported to a ranger.
Comply with posted speed limits.
Do not cross the double yellow line.
Use lights in tunnels.
Do not pass in tunnels.
Allow 3 eet between the motor coach and bicyclists.
Do not wash motor coach on park land.
General Park
Regulations
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No littering.
Removing natural or cultural eatures (e.g. wildfowers, rocks) is prohibited.
Do not leave established trails.
Never eed wildli e, including birds, even i they approach you or appear to
beg or handouts.
Stay at least 25 yards (23 m) rom wildli e.
Do not harass or inter ere with animal behavior.
Never throw objects at animals or the sake o a photograph.
Re rain rom throwing objects in waterways. Many creatures make their
home there.
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