Browns Canyon National Monument

About Browns Canyon National Monument

Browns Canyon National Monument , a 21,586 acres (8,736 ha) national monument in Chaffee County, Colorado was designated as such by President Barack Obama under the Antiquities Act on February 19, 2015. For centuries, the granite cliffs, colorful rock outcroppings and stunning mountain vistas of Browns Canyon National Monument have attracted visitors from around the world. The areas unusual geology and roughly 3,000- foot range in elevation support a diversity of life and a wealth of geological, ecological, riparian, cultural and historic resources. The Arkansas River borders Browns Canyon NM and is one of the nation’s most popular whitewater rafting destinations. The Browns Canyon river segment provides a unique rafting experience allowing visitors to enjoy solitude while taking in the scenery of the area. Anglers can test their skills at catching brown and rainbow trout on this stretch of Gold Medal Trout Waters. For more information, please contact the Royal Gorge Field Office.

How to Get There

The National Monument is centered along the Arkansas River between the communities of Buena Vista and Salida.

Plan Your Visit to Browns Canyon National Monument

Heading to Browns Canyon National Monument? A few things to know before you go:

• Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
• Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
• Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
• Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
• Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

References & Official Resources

• Official Recreation.gov page
• View on OpenStreetMap
• Driving directions (Google Maps)