Viewpoints of the Colorado River: Colorado National Monument

Although not part of Colorado National Monument, near Grand Junction, the Colorado River does flow close by, at the foot of the tall red sandstone cliffs that rise up just south of the city, and the river is visible in the distance from some of the overlooks along the monument's 20 mile scenic drive, on the top of the cliffs. As has been the case for the 35 miles since the river exited the foothills of the Rocky Mountains to the east, the Colorado is bordered by flat farmland, but the surroundings become more interesting a short distance west, as the river crosses into Utah en route to Moab, and more continuous lines of red cliffs rise up on either side.

Colorado National Monument - full description