Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with no reservations or timed entry. Rim Rock Drive has steep drop-offs and three tunnels, and short, easy trails start right at the Saddlehorn Visitor Center.
Know before you go. The park doesn't list sensory supports. Here's what it does say about the edges, the tunnels, the heat and the trails.
Hours
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Visitor center 9 am to 4 pm, with longer hours (9 am to 5 pm) typically April through September; closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Saddlehorn Visitor Center, 1750 Rim Rock Drive, Fruita, CO 81521 (four miles up from the west entrance)
Stay close“Rim Rock Drive has steep dropoffs into the canyons.” “Watch your step and your children at overlooks, along canyon rims, and at steep dropoffs.”
Stay close“Stay at least six feet (2 meters) away from the edge, don't climb fences at overlooks, and do not run near canyon edges.”
Stay close“Less than ¼-inch of rain can produce flash floods.”
“If you are prone to vertigo or don't like heights, you may want to choose this entrance” (the west entrance) “because you will be traveling on the inside lane next to the hillside, for most of the trip.”
“Be aware that there are three tunnels on Rim Rock Drive.” “Vehicle lights and/or bicycle lights are required while traveling through the tunnels.”
“The average summer high temperature is 90º Fahrenheit, and average winter low temperature is 20º Fahrenheit.”
“You are sharing the land with rattlesnakes and scorpions.”
The Canyon Rim Trail starts behind the visitor center and runs half a mile along the cliff edge, so it's a walk to plan, not to wander. The Alcove Nature Trail, across the road, is the gentler first try. Fill every bottle at the visitor center before you start.
$25 for a private vehicle, good for seven consecutive days. Children under 16 don't need an entrance pass. No reservations or timed entry.
Three tunnels on Rim Rock Drive: vehicle lights are required inside them.
Accessible restrooms: year-round at the Saddlehorn Visitor Center (during its open hours) and Saddlehorn Picnic Area; in summer also at Saddlehorn Campground and Devils Kitchen Picnic Area.
The park recommends at least one gallon of water per person, per day. There's a water bottle filling station in front of the visitor center.
The visitor center theater has a T-coil hearing loop; for anyone without T-coil hearing aids, assisted listening devices are at the front desk. An audio description tour of the exhibits uses handheld devices from the same desk.
Leashed pets are allowed only on paved surfaces, not on any trails.
The Junior Ranger booklet is for ages 5 and up, with no age limit; ask a ranger for one at the visitor center or entrance station. The park says, “We're happy to work with your needs to earn a badge.”
Cell service varies, from good in some places to none at all in others.
