Colorado Overlooks Locals Swear By For National Monument Photos

Without stopping, it takes about 45 minutes to an hour to travel from Fruita to Grand Junction via Rim Rock Drive in the Colorado National Monument. Along the way, you will pass several marked pull-offs that offer some of the best views in Western Colorado.

One of the FAQs we get on our station app is “I am a photographer. Which overlooks should I stop at in the Colorado National Monument?” Keep scrolling for my top three picks as someone who is an annual pass holder and frequent visitor to Colorado’s National Monument.

See the Grand Valley at Grand View

One of the best panoramic perspectives I’ve found along Rim Rock Drive is at the Grand View Overlook. It lives up to its name as a can’t-miss location for incredible photos of the Grand Valley. This overlook and the short trail offer a tremendous wide shot, and the overlook is also a great spot for tighter telephoto work.

Stop at Grand View for a sunrise or sunset photo shoot and watch the shadows and silhouettes jump off the fins and towers. Stop here for your big vacation postcard photo.

Western Colorado's Most Popular Canyon

Read More: What Makes Colorado National Monument Unique—and Not a Park

It would be a shame to go all the way down Rim Rock Drive for photos and not stop to look at Monument Canyon. It’s the largest canyon in the monument, and the only thing cooler than seeing it from the overlook is to go down and hike through it.

This is a top spot for sunrise photos. Red cliffs catch the early sunlight, followed by the sun stretching across the valley to the book cliffs. This is a good spot to work with a tripod or use a handheld and frame the rim. These pictures are true canyon country.

Take A Hike In Ute Canyon

Ready for a photography hike? Start at the Upper Ute Canyon overlook and enjoy the incredible 6-7 mile hike through Ute Canyon. From the overlook, you can see Wingate sandstone cliffs and natural windows in the rocks. Hike the trail down and through the canyon to see the famous ‘mummy rock,’ impressive spires, and some of the best wildflowers in the Monument. The Utes sure could pick 'em.

The Rim Rock Drive overlooks are worth an annual trip, but hiking the canyons is an experience you will never forget.

Read More: Find the Best Wildflowers In the Colorado National Monument

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