Colorado National Monument

Cappie’s Scoop: Mom doesn’t take me to many National Parks because it’s just not that much fun. But this time, I was able to see a lot of things on the scenic drive when we stopped at the overlooks. My most favorite one was when we walked down to an area that had a railing to keep us safe but there were these huge rocks in front of us. All of a sudden, mom yells my name into the rocks and it yells my name back! It’s true, the rocks repeated what we said! This was the Upper Ute Canyon Overlook. Walk all the way to the end where you can see down in the canyon and there is a sign explaining the “shout experiment” and you can measure the distance sound travels. I also liked the view of Independence Monument. It’s a 5,739 ft elevation sandstone pillar and is a popular climbing destination. Every 4th of July you can watch climbers carry the flag up Independence Monument and then proudly stake it at the top. I missed seeing this by a few days so maybe another time!

Tips: The best way to experience the park with your dog is to drive the 23 mile Rim Rock Drive from one end to the other along the plateau rim. There are many pullouts and roadside overlooks to check out along the way. On average it can take about 45 minutes to 1 hour without stops but you’re going to want to stop! If you’re looking for a dog friendly spot to eat in the area, check out Base Camp Provisions in Fruita. There is a huge outdoor patio and we found a table with shade too.

Directions: There is one entrance at each end of Rim Rock Drive. Depending on the direction you’re coming, you can choose your entrance! There are also three tunnels along the drive that are fun to drive through. The road is windy and hugs the cliff in some parts so please focus on the road and keep your eyes open for bicyclists too.