Canyon Rim and Window Rock Loop Guide: Colorado National Monument
Canyon Rim and Window Rock Loop Trail is an easy, kid-friendly half-mile hike in the Colorado National Monument near Grand Junction that offers incredible scenery for such a short distance.
The trailhead is located at the Saddleback Campground, or you can start at the Visitor Center, about four miles from the west entrance. This hike is for those traveling with young kids. However, furry kids must stay home; it’s not dog-friendly.
You can hike the Canyon Rim or the Window Trail separately, but we recommend doing them both. They’re about a mile long and very much worth it.
- Trail Name: Canyon Rim and Window Rock Trail
- Trailhead Location: Saddlehorn Campground
- Distance: 1 Mile Roundtrip
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation Gain: Minimal
- Type: Loop
- Features: Scenic Views
- Dogs: No
The trail is mostly level and dotted with Utah junipers. It offers incredible views of the Monument and Wedding Canyons. As you gander to the south into the canyon, you see large concentrations of truly amazing freestanding rock formations called monoliths. These towering rock formations have descriptive names such as the Praying Hands, Pipe Organ, Kissing Couple, and Independence Monument.
The fantastic rock formations are a primary attraction for hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Remember to look for wildlife, birds, and prey soaring overhead.
This hike took roughly 45 minutes, but we stopped frequently to enjoy the incredible views and tried unsuccessfully to take good bird pictures.
If you are camping at the Saddlehorn Campground, this is a great hike to do early in the morning or at sunset.
