Colorado National Monument encompasses Saddlehorn Campground, a National Park Service facility that sits at 5,700 feet elevation along the monument's Rim Rock Drive. The campground operates seasonally from March through October, charging $22 per night with a discount available for annual pass holders.
Three distinct loops serve different camping styles. Loops A and B accommodate RVs up to 59 feet with water hookups and gravel sites, while Loop C restricts camping to tents and small truck campers only. "Loop C is the largest loop and is only open to tent campers and those with a vehicle or small Class C camper," explains Jason F.. Sites cluster closely together, though juniper and pine trees provide some natural screening between neighbors.
The monument's switchback access road demands careful driving, especially for larger RVs. Campers report the winding route climbs steadily with minimal shoulders and occasional guardrails. Cell service reaches the campground on major carriers, while modern restrooms feature flush toilets, motion-sensor faucets, and hand dryers. Water spigots appear throughout each loop, though campers must carry containers to their sites since individual hookups remain limited to water only.
Charcoal grills replace traditional fire rings due to the high desert environment's fire restrictions. Each site includes a picnic table, and many require leveling blocks given the uneven terrain. Kim G. notes the restrooms stay "spotless" and the campground maintains quiet hours effectively. Reservations through Recreation.gov secure spots in Loops A and B, while Loop C operates first-come, first-served.
For those wanting full hookups, Monument RV Resort provides a different experience down in the valley.
Description
Overview
Saddlehorn Campground is located within Colorado National Monument which preserves one of the grand landscapes of the American West. Much more than a monument, towering monoliths exist within a vast plateau and canyon panorama. You can experience sheer-walled, red rock canyons along the twists and turns of Rim Rock Drive, where you may spy bighorn sheep and soaring eagles.
Recreation
Colorado National Monument is famous in cycling communities for its majestic views and challenging climbs, but Historic Rim Rock Drive is also a popular motor tour. Hikers flock to the miles of maintained trails, photographers come year round to capture the spectacular views, and geologists study the unique landscape for its scientific value. Climbers come for the towering sandstone, and wildlife lovers may spot Desert Bighorn sheep, golden eagles, collared lizards, and many other special creatures.
Facilities
Saddlehorn Campground is located near the Saddlehorn Visitor Center, four miles from the west entrance (near Fruita, Colorado) and nineteen miles from the east entrance (near Grand Junction, Colorado), and is the only established campground within the Monument. There are 79 campsites with three camping loops within the Saddlehorn Campground (Loops A, B, and C). Loop A is typically open early April through the end of October. Loop A will remain on a "day of" reservation basis for the summer due to need for scheduled maintenance. All "day-of" reservation sites open at 8AM mountain time on the day of. Loop B is open year-round. Outer loop sites are reservable 6 months in advance, inner loop sites are reservable 2 weeks in advance. Loop C is open early May through mid/late October, weather dependent. Sites 52-69 are reservable on a day of basis, while sites 70-80 are reservable up to two weeks in advance. All "day-of" reservation sites open at 8AM mountain time on the day of. Reservations can be made via www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.Due to size of the campground, vehicles longer than 40 feet cannot be accomodated--this includes tow vehicle AND trailer. Restrooms have flush toilets and water available during the summer, and each site has a picnic table and charcoal-only grill. There are no electric hookups, fill or dump stations, or showers.__There are three tunnels on Rim Rock Drive. There are two tunnels on the west side and one on the east side of the park; the campground sits between the east and west tunnels. Heights: The clearance above the lanes of traffic ranges from a low point of 10'6" near the edge of the curb to a maximum of 16' above the centerline of the road. Vehicles must be able to stay in their lane; vehicles may not cross the centerline without a pilot vehicle. For a group of 15 people or more, do not book through recreation.gov. Contact the park at 970-858-2800 or colm_campground@nps.gov to make group reservations.
Natural Features
The campground is nestled within large red rock formations, with pinyon and juniper trees providing adequate shade. There are spectacular views of the Grand Valley to the northwest, and some of the park's most scenic monoliths and canyons to the southeast
Nearby Attractions
The cities of Grand Junction, Fruita, and Palisade boast many urban and agricultural attractions, but there are also abundant recreation areas surrounding the Monument. Among these are McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, James M. Robb Colorado River State Park, Highline Lake State Park, and many Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service areas.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (970) 858-2800.
Fee Info
The camping fee is $22.00 per night per site. This is in addition to the entrance fee to Colorado National Monument.__You may pay the fee upon arrival or in advance. Colorado National Monument also honors valid America the Beautiful-the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands annual or lifetime (interagency) passes (e.g., Senior, 4th Grade, Military, etc.), Access and Senior Pass holders receive a 50% discount for the camping fee (you must enter a valid pass numner at the time you book and must preset it to campground staff). You may purchase the passes upon arrival at either entrance station during Operating Hours.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundSaddlehorn Campground — Colorado National Monument is located in Colorado
Directions
Westbound on Highway I-70 towards Grand Junction: take Exit 31 (Horizon Drive). Follow signs through Grand Junction to the park's east entrance. The visitor center and campground are 19 miles (30 km) from the east entrance. Eastbound on Highway I-70 (Fruita): Take Exit 19. Turn south on Highway 340 to the park's west entrance, which is approximately three miles (5 km) from Fruita. The visitor center and campground are four miles (6 km) beyond the west entrance.
Address
1750 Rim Rock Drive
Fruita, CO 81521
Coordinates
39.1048056 N
108.7328611 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 22 usersLast on 3/29/26
VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 31 usersLast on 3/29/26- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 34 usersLast on 3/29/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 22 usersLast on 3/29/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 31 usersLast on 3/29/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 34 usersLast on 3/29/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 13 min from Grand Junction, CO
- 3 hrs 27 min from Provo, UT
- 4 hrs 3 min from Boulder, CO
- 4 hrs 25 min from Farmington, NM
