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.

Notifications and Alerts

Colorado National Monument's Saddlehorn Campground Loop's A and B will not be on be on Recreation.gov's reservation system from October 19-31, 2020 because there will be no campground host available. All three loops (A, B, and C) will still be open those last 13 days in October and will be First Come-First Serve. You can make reservations for next year six months in advance starting the last week of September.

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

Photo Gallery

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