Rim Rock Drive, Co. Nat. Monument

[RVhiker]

We plan a trip to Colorado National Monument. Our fifth wheel is 12'7" high. The main road in the monument is Rim Rock Drive which has three tunnels with slightly restrictive dimensions as shown in this tunnel description.

The tunnels look usable for us and our 30' fifth wheel. The only park campground is Saddlebrook, on the other side of the tunnels, which has sites that can accommodate 40' RV's.

Has anyone experience towing a trailer through these tunnels?

Thanks.

[rocmoc]

We stayed at the park on top and drove the tunnels last summer in our 12'6" tall 36' MH pulling a toad. You have to drive down the center of the tunnels to clear the roof. NO problem, just watch for oncoming traffic. The tunnels do have a curve in them so you can not see the other end so take a deep breath and hope. Speed limit is 25mph but the cars speed. Came down early Sunday morning and no more passed thu a tunnel and met a tour bus coming up. Luck has to be on our side. BUT I would do it again as the stay was worth it. Temps can be hot and the flies were bad. This was in June and the Camp Host said the flies had just arrived.

rocmoc n AZ

[fanrgs]

You can go to Fruita and drive the NM road to the campground without going through any tunnels. But the road is steep, winding, and relatively narrow on both ends. Plus the campground has no hookups, no water in the spring or fall, and, if I remember correctly, no dump.

Personally, I would take DaveG39's recommendation and leave the trailer at James M. Robb Colorado River State Park. We have stayed there and it has some very nice, paved, FHU campsites with shade, tables, flush toilets, showers, a dump for the elect/water sites, fishing, and is right next to the river if you have a canoe or kayak. It is our only highly recommended campground in the Grand Junction area or when we are using I-70 to Ridgway State Park (one of our favorite Colorado SPs), Moab-Arches-Canyonlands, or Nevada-California.

[DaveG39]

Stayed at James M. Robb state Park, Fruita section and used car to tour Colorado Monument and other venues in the area. Much easier than maneuvering a large vehicle in the park. With car or pickup you can stop at venues with no problem.

[rexlion]

I'm not sure about the answer to your question. But there are 2 other ways into the park and to Saddlebrook besides the north (tunnel) entrance, if the tunnels prove to be a problem. It's a nice park and a nice CG.

[12th_Man_Fan]

I can tell you that Fruita has a nice camp ground. That is where we left our RV.
I don't remember the tunnels but I don't think I would want to go through this park pulling an RV.