Colorado’s Best Kept Secret – Rattlesnake Canyon Arches
Hidden in western Colorado lies one of the state’s best kept secrets — Rattlesnake Canyon, home to the second largest concentration of natural arches in the United States. Getting there isn’t easy. The journey takes you through Colorado National Monument and onto a rugged 4x4 trail with no clear directions, closed routes, and plenty of obstacles along the way.
What we found at the end of the road was worth every challenge — massive natural arches, untouched desert landscapes, and not another soul in sight.
This video captures our full journey: the remote off-road trail, a future dream campsite overlooking Fruita, and finally, the arches themselves — including Cedar Tree Arch, Trap Arch, East Rim Arch, and more.
Join us as we explore one of Colorado’s last great hidden treasures.
📍 Location: Rattlesnake Canyon, McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area
🚙 Trail: Black Ridge Road (seasonal, high-clearance 4x4 required)
🥾 Hike: Upper Rattlesnake Arches Trail
⏱ Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:10 Trail Prep
0:27 Trail Begins
0:58 Unexpected Dead End
1:25 Off-Road Trail (4HI)
1:41 Future Campsite
1:48 Off-Road Trail Resumes
2:26 Off-Road Trail (4LO)
4:25 Lunch with a View
4:34 Hike Begins
5:01 Arch in the Distance
5:19 Cedar Tree Arch
6:50 Trap Arch
7:50 East Rim Arch
8:38 Eye Arch Reveal
9:14 Less Traveled Trail
9:28 Scramble Back
9:42 Return Hike
10:03 Driving Into the Sunset