Colorado · National Monument trail

Alcove Nature Trail (Colorado National Monument)

in Colorado

Location: Directly across Rim Rock Drive from the Saddlehorn Visitor Center. Mileage: 0.5 one way (0.8 km) one-way Difficulty Level: Easy (Mostly level) Elevation: 5,800 feet (1768 meters) Average time: 1/2 hour Usage: Hiking only. Horses prohibited.

Description: Level trail that travels to an alcove in a box canyon. Detailed trail guides are available at the trailhead and the visitor center. A good introduction to some of the plants, animals, and rocks of the monument.

Great for families with small children.

States: Colorado
Trail type: National Monument trail
Centroid coords: 39.1011°, -108.7351°

About Colorado National Monument

National Monument

This trail is inside Colorado National Monument, a national monument managed by the U.S. National Park Service. Conditions, road status, trail closures, and reservation requirements are published on the park's NPS page — check it before driving in, especially in winter or during major weather events.

Entrance fee: $25 per vehicle (verify current rate on the park page). An America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all NPS units.

Official NPS trail page: https://www.nps.gov/places/alcove-nature-trail-colorado-national-monument.htm

Park homepage: https://www.nps.gov/colm/index.htm

Plan your hike

Practical notes

Maps + permits: long-distance trails like this often require permits for through-hiking, backcountry camping, or specific sections (especially in National Parks). Check with the maintaining organisation listed above and the relevant land manager before booking travel.

Water + supplies: water sources vary seasonally on most U.S. trails. Carry a filter and consult current trail-condition reports — through-hiker journals (PCT-L, AT Reddit, etc.) and the maintaining organisation publish regular updates.

When to go: hiking seasons vary widely with elevation, latitude, and snowpack. Through-hikers traditionally start the AT in March-April (Springer northbound) and the PCT in late April (Campo northbound). High-elevation western trails (CDT, JMT, Wonderland) generally aren't passable until July.

If you've hiked Alcove Nature Trail (Colorado National Monument) and have current notes (water sources, trail closures, permit changes), tell us at /contact — we update pages as we learn.