Self Guided Audio Driving Tour of Colorado National Monument

Colorado , United States of America

Self Guided Audio Driving Tour of Colorado National Monument

Active

2h - 3h

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Instant confirmation

Mobile or paper ticket accepted

About this experience

Download GuideAlong’s self-guided audio tour of Colorado National Monument to discover one of the most spectacular drives in the United States. Along Rim Rock Drive highlights its towering red rock monoliths, deep canyons and sweeping desert vistas,
with stops at iconic viewpoints like Independence Monument, Coke Ovens, and Book Cliffs View to marvel at its famous geological history.

Along the way, hear stories of Old West towns and Route 66 lore, and stamp your Route 66 Passport for a souvenir to remember the ride.

Enjoy the freedom to explore offine at your own pace, spending more time at places that interest you and bypassing any that don’t.

Stories, tips, and directions play automatically based on your location
Travel at your own pace
Tour offline using GPS. No cell service or WiFi is needed
Suggested itineraries for half, full, or multi-day use
No time limits or expiry, and free updates
Like having a tour guide along for the drive

Purchase one tour per vehicle.

Available options

Self Guided Audio Driving Tour of Colorado National Monument

What's included

Support: Toll free phone, chat and email

GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide) Audio Tour: 85+ Points

Easy To Use: Pre-download and tour offline

Trip Planners: In-app, web and PDF

Location Based: Stories, tips & directions that autoplay

Buy once, use forever! No expiry, includes free updates

Flexible Routes: Suggested itineraries or create your own

Detailed itinerary

Book Cliffs View offers a striking panorama of the layered cliffs named for their resemblance to a bookshelf. The base is grayish Mancos shale, topped by tan sandstone, creating a natural pattern of shelves formed over millennia by water erosion.

Independence Monument is a towering monolith rising over 450 feet, named by John Otto for its patriotic symbolism. He carved footholds and handholds to climb it and raised the American flag on July 4, 1911 a tradition still honored today.

The Coke Ovens Overlook showcases distinctive beehive-shaped sandstone formations, named for 19th-century brick ovens used to heat coal into coke. The softer Wingate and Chinle sandstone beneath harder Kayenta sandstone created the sculpted shapes visible today.

The Saddlehorn Comfort Station, built in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, is a historic example of rustic park architecture. It provided early visitors with restrooms and reflects the careful integration of man-made structures into natural landscapes.

Window Rock is a natural arch that draws visitors for its striking geological formation and easy access. The sandstone formation frames scenic views of Wedding Canyon and Monument Canyon.

What's not included

Entry Fees, National Park Passes, Reservations

Available languages

Audio guide

Important information

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

How to Access: After booking you’ll receive an email and text with instructions (search “Download Audio Tour”). Click the link in the email/text to sign in with your preferred Apple or Google account and redeem your voucher code ahead of time.

Download The GuideAlong App: Download the free app over WiFi or cellular data and sign in with the same Apple or Google account.

Download The Tour: Download the tour in the GuideAlong app under 'My Tours' over WiFi or cellular data.

Start The Tour: Open the tour in the GuideAlong app to preview the start locations, tour route and trip planner, or start the tour.

Location-Based Stories: Audio commentary plays automatically as you drive using your phone’s GPS chip. Wherever you are and whichever direction you’re going, you’ll hear the best stories and tips.

Flexible Travel Date: Tours are a one-time purchase with no expiry or date/time limit. If your plans change to a different day, there’s no need to change your travel date.

Tour at Your Leisure: With GuideAlong, you control the pace. Start, stop, and resume the tour any day, anytime, adapting it to your schedule.

Driving Tours: Group Savings: One purchase covers everyone in the vehicle, making it a cost-effective way to explore.

Works Offline: No internet or cell service is required once the audio tour is downloaded to your phone, so you can relax and tour offline.

Bring A Charger: Pack a USB/C car charger for charging and easy sound connectivity, and make sure your device is fully charged.

Technical Support: The GuideAlong support team is available daily by toll-free phone, online chat, and email.

Meeting point

Start at (47X6+QPP, Fruita, CO, USA) or join anywhere along the tour route. After booking, search your email for “Download Audio Tour" and follow the instructions to download now over Wi-Fi/cell service. Then, preview the start location/s and tour route in the app.

Important notes

STEPS TO GET YOUR GUIDEALONG AUDIO TOUR:

1. SIGN IN + REDEEM your VOUCHER CODE: https://store.guidealong.com/voucher
2. DOWNLOAD the GuideAlong App
3. SIGN IN to the GuideAlong app with the same Apple or Google account as Step 1
4. DOWNLOAD the Audio Tour NOW

FIND YOUR VOUCHER CODE AND INSTRUCTIONS
- Email: Search your inbox for “Your Tour Operator Sent You A Message” and “Instructions for GuideAlong Audio Tour.” Check All Mail and your junk/spam folder.
- Text: Check for a text message from +17817732638.
- This Ticket: Find the voucher code at the top under the QR code and redeem at Step 1.
- Viator App: Open your booking and select Contact Support > Contact Tour Operator.
- TripAdvisor App: Open your Account and select Messages.
- Need help? Call GuideAlong toll-free on 1866-477-1791.

DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEALONG APP & TOUR NOW
You must pre-download both the GuideAlong app and audio tour to your phone over reliable wifi or cellular data before you drive out of signal. If you can OPEN your tour and see the START DRIVING button, your tour is downloaded. No service is required while touring.

FLEXIBLE TRAVEL DATE
There’s no expiry, date or time limit for your tour, so download the GuideAlong app and audio tour now. If your plans change to a different day there’s no need to change your travel date.

CHARGING & SOUND
We don’t recommend connecting your phone to the vehicle's USB port. Instead, use a USB/C car charger adapter in the auxiliary power outlet (cigarette lighter) to prevent an automatic secondary pairing and keep your phone charged. CarPlay and Android Auto are not yet supported, so listen to the tour through your phone’s speaker or pair it to your car stereo via Bluetooth: guidealong.com/travel-tips-bluetooth/.

HELP & SUPPORT

- FAQs: Check the offline Help menu in the GuideAlong app or online FAQs at guidealong.com/faq.
- Contact GuideAlong Support: Call toll-free 1866-477-1791, chat online at guidealong.com, or email info@guidealong.com.

About Colorado

Colorado is a state of stunning natural beauty, known for its majestic Rocky Mountains, vibrant cities, and outdoor adventure opportunities. From world-class skiing to hiking through alpine meadows, Colorado offers a diverse range of experiences for all types of travelers.

Top Attractions

Rocky Mountain National Park

This iconic national park offers stunning alpine scenery, diverse wildlife, and numerous hiking trails. It's a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.

Nature Full day or overnight Entry fee of $25 per vehicle (valid for 7 days)

Denver Art Museum

One of the largest art museums between Chicago and the West Coast, featuring a diverse collection of art from around the world.

Museum 2-3 hours Free for residents of Colorado, $13 for non-residents

Garden of the Gods

A public park featuring stunning red rock formations and scenic hiking trails. It's a must-visit for nature lovers and photographers.

Nature Half day Free

Must-Try Local Dishes

Rocky Mountain Oysters

Deep-fried bull testicles, a local delicacy.

Appetizer Not vegetarian or vegan.

Green Chile

A spicy stew made with pork, green chiles, and potatoes.

Main Course Can be made vegetarian or vegan.

Popular Activities

Hiking Rock climbing Mountain biking Spa treatments Scenic drives Picnicking Museum visits Art galleries

Best Time to Visit

June to August

This is the best time for outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and exploring the state's national parks. The weather is warm and pleasant, making it ideal for tourism.

15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) 59°F to 86°F

Practical Information

Language

Official: English
Widely spoken: Spanish
English: Widely spoken

Currency

US Dollar (USD)

Time Zone

Mountain Time Zone (MT) (GMT-7)

Electricity

120VV, 60HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Generally safe

Colorado is generally safe for travelers, with low crime rates in most areas. However, it's important to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.

Important Precautions:

• Be aware of your surroundings, especially in urban areas and when exploring the outdoors.
• Avoid walking alone at night, especially in isolated areas.
• Use reputable tour operators and rental companies.

Getting there

By air

Denver International Airport • 25 miles (40 km) from downtown Denver
Colorado Springs Airport • 10 miles (16 km) from downtown Colorado Springs

By train

Denver Union Station, Durango Station

By bus

Denver Bus Center, Colorado Springs Bus Station

Getting around

Public transport

RTD offers a network of buses and light rail services that connect major cities and suburbs.

Taxis

Available • Apps: Uber, Lyft

Rentals

Car, Bike, Scooter

Neighborhoods

LoDo (Lower Downtown) Capitol Hill

Day trips

Boulder

30 miles (48 km) from Denver • Half day or full day

Boulder is a vibrant college town known for its outdoor activities, cultural attractions, and scenic beauty.

Garden of the Gods

6 miles (10 km) from downtown Colorado Springs • Half day

A public park featuring stunning red rock formations and scenic hiking trails.

Festivals

Great American Beer Festival • October Telluride Film Festival • September

Pro tips

Visit national parks early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds and enjoy the best lighting for photography.
Pack layers of clothing, as weather conditions can vary significantly depending on the time of day and elevation.
Stay hydrated and be aware of the signs of altitude sickness, especially when traveling to higher elevations.
Use sunscreen and wear a hat to protect yourself from the intense sunlight at high altitudes.
Respect wildlife and their habitats by observing from a safe distance and avoiding feeding or disturbing animals.