Monument Canyon
Near Fruita
Photo: iagoarchangel, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)- 30 routes
- 5.7 – 5.12a/b
- Trad · Sport · Mixed
Is Monument Canyon open right now?
Alert in the area
The National Park Service lists an alert for Colorado National Monument.
Year-round Fire Restrictions in Effect
Park alert covering Colorado National Monument · NPS · Colorado National Monument
As of · Source: NPS · Colorado National Monument. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Best time to visit Monument Canyon
Best months: April–May and September–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
39° / 21°
6 wet · 4 snow
Feb
45° / 25°
5 wet · 3 snow
Mar
56° / 34°
6 wet · 2 snow
Apr
63° / 39°
6 wet · 1 snow
May
74° / 49°
6 wet
Jun
87° / 58°
4 wet
Jul
93° / 65°
6 wet
Aug
90° / 62°
7 wet
Sep
80° / 54°
7 wet
Oct
66° / 41°
6 wet
Nov
50° / 31°
6 wet · 2 snow
Dec
39° / 22°
6 wet · 4 snow
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Colorado Nm, CO, 0.6 mi away at 5,781 ft. The station sits about 600 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Monument Canyon is a climbing area within Colorado National Monument in western Colorado, managed by the National Park Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, trails and campgrounds, so it works well as a base for a longer visit to the monument. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 74°F and October highs around 66°F, while July averages about 93°F and winter brings highs near 39°F with a few snowy days each month. A fee is charged for entry. The closest neighbors include the Organ Pipe Spire and Pipe Organ Spire climbing area about 0.3 miles away, the Wedding Canyon Trail and Saddlehorn Campground (Loop C) each about 0.4 miles off, and the Canyon Rim Trail about 0.6 miles away.
Routes (30)
Facts about this crag
Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive
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