Rim Rock Drive offers dizzying cliff’s edge views of Colorado National Monument

Rim Rock Drive: Prepare for some serious Western scenery! This gem, nestled in Colorado National Monument in Mesa County, Colorado, serves up jaw-dropping, cliff-edge vistas.

Built during the New Deal era (1931-1950) by the Civilian Conservation Corps, this road is an engineering marvel. Seriously, they carved much of it *by hand* straight through solid rock.

Rim Rock Drive is the only paved road snaking through the park. At 25.9 miles long, it hugs the upper rim of dramatic canyons, connecting the east entrance near Grand Junction to the west entrance by Fruita. And get this: you'll even cruise through three tunnels!

Heads up: the road’s usually open year-round, but always peek at the weather forecast. Rock slides are common during wet spells, and closures can happen due to rockfall or winter conditions. Plan for about an hour of drive time *each way*, and that's *without* stopping – which you'll definitely want to do!

Think red rock canyons, scattered pines and junipers, golden eagles soaring overhead, and those bright blue Colorado skies. Rim Rock Drive isn't just a road; it's part of the park's soul. It gives you access to the Saddlehorn Visitor Center and campground, 19 signed viewpoints, and 14 hiking trails.

Word to the wise: this road winds along the edge of Monument Canyon. Watch for wildlife, keep an eye out for fallen rocks, and respect the speed limits. The shoulders can be narrow, and you'll be sharing the road with cyclists. Some sections are steep and narrow with serious drop-offs, and on the east side, you might even encounter large trucks. Plus, there are some switchbacks with an elevation change of about 1,100 feet. Those tunnels? They're 16' tall in the center but only 11'5" near the edges, so larger vehicles might need to hug the center line. And, if you're afraid of heights, brace yourself!