About
ShapePoint-to-Point
Typical time4 hr 30 min
TrailheadSaddlehorn Visitor Center
Best seasonIn spring and summer, you will often find lots of wildflowers on these trails. In winter, some people choose to cross country ski on Black Ridge when there's enough snow.
DogsNot allowed
AccessibilityThe visitor center has accessible front and back doors with an automatic door button located ahead of the doorway, inside and outside of both front and back doors. The visitor center has accessible restrooms and an accessible picnic table, both located to the right of the main entryway doors. The restroom doors are not automatic and push inward from the outside - they require pulling from inside the restroom in order to exit the restroom. The picnic table is covered and located through the...
What you'll see 🌄 Big views🦌 Wildlife

Saddlehorn Visitor Center is where most people begin their excursion to Colorado National Monument. There area 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 outthe Canyon Rim and Window Rock Trail brochure . 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).

Tips
Pets are not allowed on any trail in the Monument. Do not leave pets in a car - even with the windows down, it gets too hot. Service animals are welcome in any building and on any trail. However, Black Ridge Trail is steep and not recommended for service animals.
Location

Saddlehorn Visitor Center

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