• Colorado National Monument Sign - Visitors will encounter stunning cliffs, ravines, and vistas. They’ll also learn about cattle rustlers, dinosaurs, and the renowned “hermit of the Canyons.”
• Redlands View - Observing the Redlands View, one can notice how the rocks appear layered, much like a cake. These layers are different rock types exposed over millions of years by the Colorado River’s erosion.
• Balanced Rock View - The next stop showcases a rock performing a balancing act. Balanced Rock View presents a 700-ton boulder seemingly teetering atop a rocky pillar.
• Fruita Canyon View - In the 1880s, settlers discovered this area was ideal for growing fruit trees. Peaches, apples, and grapes thrive in the sheltered valley with abundant water.
• Book Cliffs View - The Book Cliffs appear almost purple in some areas due to the Mancos shale forming their base. This rough, grayish stone transitions to softer, tan sandstone at higher levels.
• Window Rock Nature Trail - This easy half-mile hike takes about 15 minutes and is highly recommended. If children are present, ensure they stay away from the edge, as it can be steep in places.
• Amphitheater - The Saddlehorn Amphitheater, constructed in the 1960s, was part of the “Mission 66 era,” when the Federal Government revitalized national parks post-WWII. Over the years, it has hosted live music, plays, educational talks, ranger programs, and community events.
• Saddlehorn Comfort Station - A small wooden rest stop for travelers, built in 1937.

During the Great Depression, millions of Americans were unemployed. President Franklin D. Roosevelt initiated the Civilian Conservation Corps, employing thousands of young men in conservation projects across America.

• Independence Monument View - When John Otto began exploring this area, he gave the unique rock formations patriotic names. One of the most famous is Independence Monument, a towering monolith rising above the valley.
• The Grand View - This is one of the most popular lookouts on the route, making it a must-stop. It’s an ideal spot for capturing great photos.
• Monument Canyon View - In Monument Canyon, more colorful sandstone layers are visible, resting atop the Uncompahgre Plateau. “Uncompahgre” is a Ute word meaning “rocks that made the water red,” aptly describing the orange and red rocks rich in iron.
• Coke Ovens Overlook - These formations were named after the brick ovens used in the 19th century to heat coal into coke, a raw material for steel production.
• Upper Monument Canyon Trailhead - This hike is popular for finding petroglyphs, ancient picture writings carved into the stone. Two pictographs are protected under small rock overhangs in the canyon’s soft sandstone.
• Upper Liberty Cap Trailhead - The Liberty Cap monument, named by John Otto, reflects his fondness for patriotic names. This domed sandstone formation resembles the beehive shapes of the Coke Ovens. The name “liberty cap” comes from an early 1800s penny featuring Lady Liberty’s profile.
• Fallen Rock Overlook - Fallen Rock is a massive piece of Wingate Sandstone, topped with the more durable Kayenta Sandstone, similar to many monuments here. It was once attached to the nearby cliff with softer Chinle formation sandstone.
• Ute Canyon View Trail - The Ute Canyon Trail is a moderate 8-mile hike taking about four hours. Instead of hiking, it’s recommended to enjoy the overlook at the trailhead, which will be seen shortly.
• Red Canyon Overlook - This overlook provides a view into the largely untouched Red Canyon, as no trails lead directly into it. Stopping here allows for more information about the canyon by selecting Learn More.
• Cold Shivers Point Overlook - Named for the sheer drop beyond the guard rail. Unlike other overlooks visited today, the road’s edge reaches the cliff’s edge here.
• Devil’s Kitchen Trailhead - The next trail is the Devil’s Kitchen Trail, a moderate two-mile hike taking about 1 hour 30 minutes. It leads to sandstone monoliths resembling a small room’s walls, with arches forming windows to peer through.
• Grand Junction - Grand Junction has significantly developed. Now the fourth-largest city in Colorado, it still offers vast open spaces. Alongside the Colorado National Monument, Grand Junction features the Grand Mesa, popular for skiing and snowboarding in winter, and Rattlesnake Arches, a trail showcasing 35 natural stone arches formed by erosion.

• Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
• Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
• Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
• Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
• Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
• Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
• Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
• Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!

• Entrance fees
• Park Passes

Explore the stunning red rock landscapes with a self-guided driving tour through Colorado National Monument. Admire the majestic Independence Monument, a towering spire that rises from the canyon floor. Be amazed by the natural sculptures at Coke Ovens Overlook, formed over thousands of years by erosion. Enjoy breathtaking cliffside views at Cold Shivers Point and explore the rugged formations on Devil’s Kitchen Trail. This drive offers a perfect blend of dramatic geology and the wild beauty of the West.

Purchase one tour per vehicle, not per individual. Everyone can listen together!

After booking, check your email to download the Tour Guide App by Action. Enter your unique password to access your tour. These steps require a reliable internet/Wi-Fi connection. Follow the audio instructions and the route provided.

Buy once and enjoy for a full year! Perfect for extended stays and return visits within the next 12 months.

Please note, this is not an entrance ticket to attractions along the route. Verify opening hours before your visit.

• How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
• How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
• Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
• Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
• Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
• Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.