Saddlehorn Campground
Colorado National Monument
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.
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 (Loop's A, B, and C). From late-March to mid-October, campsites in Loop A and Loop B (both tents and RVs) can be reserved or taken for one-night only, while Loop C is first come first serve (tents and small vehicles). Loop A is open year round and is first come first serve from mid-October to late-March (sites suitable for both tents and RVs). 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 or showers.
Need to Know
- * Loop A: Non-Reservable (First-Come,First-Serve)
January 1st - December 31st
Loop B: Reservable: March 15th - October 31st
Closed for the months of January, February, November and December* - * Loop A: Non-Reservable (First-Come,First-Serve)
January 1st - December 31st
Loop B: Reservable: March 15th - October 31st
Closed for the months of January, February, November and December* - * Loop A: Non-Reservable (First-Come,First-Serve)
January 1st - December 31st
Loop B: Reservable: March 15th - October 31st
Closed for the months of January, February, November and December* - * Loop A: Non-Reservable (First-Come,First-Serve)
January 1st - December 31st
Loop B: Reservable: March 15th - October 31st
Closed for the months of January, February, November and December* - No wood fires or wood gathering permitted. Cooking in charcoal grills and camp stoves only.
- Pets must be on a leash at all times. Pets are not allowed on trails, only paved surfaces.
- Hammocks, tarps, tents and all other camping equipment cannot be attached to trees or vegetation.
- No Generators 8 PM - 8 AM in Loops A & B. No Generators allowed in Loop C. Quiet Hours are 10 PM - 6 AM.
- Do not fill camper/RV tanks from water faucets.
- Reserved campsites will be held until check-out time on the day following your scheduled arrival.
- No Fireworks.
- Observe campground speed limit.
- Bicycles are allowed on paved surfaces only.
If sites in Loops A & B are not reserved, they are available for "One Night Only." Reservations for the day are posted at sites no later than 10:00 A.M. Please do not register for a walk-in site in Loop A or B until reservations are posted.
With both Loops A & B now on the reservation system, switching from a site you have reserved to a more suitable one may not be possible due to these sites being available for one night only.
From November 1st to Late March, Loop A will not be on the reservation system and is open for First Come-First Serve camping. Loop's B and C will be closed for that same time period.
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.
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.
Contact Information
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1750 Rim Rock Drive Fruita CO 81521
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 970-858-3617 EXT. 300
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
Driving:
Westbound on Highway I-70 towards Grand Junction, Exit 31 (Horizon Drive): Follow signs through Grand Junction to the east entrance. The visitor center and campground are 19 miles from the east entrance.
Eastbound on Highway I-70 take Exit 19 (Fruita): Turn south on Highway 340 to the west entrance, which is approximately three miles from Fruita. The visitor center and campground are four miles up from the west entrance.
Available Campsites
- Site 38, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 20, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 43, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 07, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 14, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 51, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 46, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 08, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 50, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 10, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 11, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 03, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 39, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 27, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 16, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 42, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 23, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 29, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 33, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 47, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 36, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 31, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 04, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 48, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 44, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 05, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 30, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 25, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 32, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 15, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 17, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 19, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 49, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 24, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 35, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 40, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 37, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 21, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 28, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 22, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 41, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 18, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 09, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 06, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 45, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 13, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 26, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 34, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 12, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 02, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
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