Grand Circle sites east of the Petrified Forest, part one

July 29, 9:49 PMPetrified Forest National Park ExaminerKaren Sweeny-Justice

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Colorado National Monument.      Photo by KSJ.

From Utah to Colorado and down to New Mexico, your Grand Circle vacation loop is almost complete. North and east of the Petrified Forest National Park are a number of parks and monuments worth a stop. Some are destination sites with overnight accommodations, while others make for shorter visits.

In our last installment, we looked at two of the national parks of Utah. From Arches, the Colorado National Monument is east, near Grand Junction, Colorado. This monument is yet another park service site that is a geologist's dream.  With sheer cliffs, colorful rocks, flat mesas and towering monolithic stones, the 23 mile drive through the park hits most of the highlights. There's a short program is shown at the Visitor Center. Road construction is underway this summer, so travelers should expect some delays. Colorado National Monument is open during the summer from 8:00 to 6:00 pm MDT, and the rest of the year from 9:00 to 5:00. There's a campground that's open year-round; the park is closed on December 25th. Admission is $7.00 per vehicle, $4.99 on foot, bike or motorcycle, or free with an interagency pass.

Mesa Verde National Park is perhaps the best known park where one can see the preservation of ancestral people's homes. Located in the southwestern corner of Colorado, this park is filled with extensive cliff dwellings build over 800 years ago.

Spruce Tree House at Mesa Verde NP.   Photo by KSJ.

Summer visitors can hike to the Spruce Tree House on their own without a ticket or a guide. The trailhead is located adjacent to the park's museum on Chapin Mesa. The half mile trail descends about 100 feet. From November to March, visitors must be on a ranger-guided hike to view this surreal setting.

Longer, more difficult trails that involve the use of ladders, lead to Cliff Palace, Long House, and Balcony House. Reservations must be made at the Far View Visitor Center; tickets are $3.00 per person. For more detailed information, click here.

Mesa Verde is open daily year round. Click here for additional information. For lodging and dining information, click here.