🎥 Colorado National Monument & Quirky Fruita, CO: Scenic Drives, Red Rocks & Unexpected Finds 🌄🐓

Discover the stunning beauty of Colorado National Monument and the surprising charm of Fruita, Colorado—a quirky small town famous for breathtaking red rock canyons, desert wildlife, and... a headless chicken festival?! 🐔

In this video, we:
✔️ Drive the epic Rim Rock Drive
✔️ Visit the peaceful Vietnam Memorial Welcome Center
✔️ Explore camping options at Saddlehorn Campground
✔️ Uncover Fruita’s weird and wonderful side
✔️ Share tips for visiting with limited time or hot weather

🌄 Colorado National Monument Highlights
Located just minutes from Fruita, this hidden gem offers national park vibes without the crowds!
✨ What to Expect:

🚘 Rim Rock Drive – A 23-mile scenic route with jaw-dropping overlooks, 3 tunnels, and unique rock formations

🪨 Must-sees: Independence Monument, Coke Ovens, Redland View Overlook, Balanced Rock

🐏 Wildlife sightings: bighorn sheep, eagles, and desert creatures

🌵 Dramatic desert landscapes, wildflowers, and red rock canyons

🥾 Easy-access trails near the Visitor Center

🛠️ Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s–40s

🏕️ Camping at Saddlehorn Campground

79 reservable sites (2 seasonal loops + 1 open year-round)

Picnic tables, charcoal grills, flush toilets, and water in summer

🚫 No electric hookups, showers, or dump stations

⛺ Just 4 miles from the Fruita entrance—some sites have killer views!

🇺🇸 Vietnam Memorial Welcome Center – Fruita, CO
A quiet, shaded spot for reflection and remembrance.

🎖️ Small museum with free admission

🪑 Benches and trees for peaceful rest

🚐 RV-friendly with a free dump station

💬 Thoughtful displays honoring local Vietnam veterans

🎉 The Quirky Side of Fruita
Fruita may be small, but it’s full of surprises:

🐔 Home of the Mike the Headless Chicken Festival

🚴‍♂️ Biking capital with a laid-back vibe

🥾 Gateway to Colorado’s red rock country and outdoor adventure

📌 Helpful Links Below!

🗺️ Interactive Map – Colorado National Monument
🔗 https://home.nps.gov/features/colm/virtualtour/section/map/

🌄 Official NPS Page – Colorado National Monument
🔗 https://www.nps.gov/colm/index.htm

🏕️ Saddlehorn Campground Info & Reservations
🔗 https://www.nps.gov/colm/planyourvisit/camping.htm

🌆 Visit Fruita – Things to Do & See
🔗 https://gofruita.com/

🎉 Mike the Headless Chicken Festival
🔗 https://www.miketheheadlesschicken.org/

💬 Comment below if you've visited this area or have it on your list!
👍 Like the video, subscribe for more offbeat road trip stops, and help others discover these underrated places by sharing the video!

#ColoradoNationalMonument #VisitFruita #ScenicDrivesColorado #CampingInColorado #RoadTripUSA #HiddenGems #RimRockDrive #SmallTownVibes #DesertViews #HeadlessChickenFestival

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0:00 Introduction
0:17 Fruita Colorado
3:29 Colorado National Monument
#RV Travel #Boondocking #Travel Vlog #Scenic Travel

Видео 🎥 Colorado National Monument & Quirky Fruita, CO: Scenic Drives, Red Rocks & Unexpected Finds 🌄🐓 канала Switching Gears RV Diary