Coke Ovens (Colorado National Monument) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Coke Ovens
North aspect
Highest point
Elevation	5,962 ft (1,817 m)
Prominence	72 ft (22 m)
Isolation	1.51 mi (2.43 km)
Parent peak	Black Ridge
Geography
Coke Ovens Location in Colorado Show map of Colorado Coke Ovens Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Colorado National Monument Mesa County, Colorado, U.S.
Parent range	Colorado Plateau Uncompahgre Plateau
Topo map	USGS Colorado National Monument
Geology
Age of rock	Late Triassic to Early Jurassic
Type of rock	Wingate Sandstone

Coke Ovens is a cool group of tall rock pillars in Colorado National Monument. It stands 5,962 feet (1,817 meters) high. You can find it in Mesa County, in western Colorado, United States.

This famous landmark is on the west side of Monument Canyon. It's about two miles south of the monument's visitor center. It's also about nine miles west of Grand Junction. You can see it from viewpoints along Rim Rock Drive. The rocks are called "Coke Ovens" because their rounded shape looks like old ovens. These ovens were used a long time ago to make a special fuel called coke from coal.

How the Coke Ovens Formed

The Coke Ovens are made from Wingate Sandstone. This rock was formed from ancient sand dunes about 200 million years ago. Wind blew the sand into huge dunes, which then turned into rock.

The very top of the pillars has a harder rock layer. This layer is called the Kayenta Formation. It was formed by rivers and streams. Below the main pillars, you'll find rocks from the Chinle Formation. Even deeper, at the bottom of the canyon, are very old rocks. These include gneiss, schist, and granites. Water from this area flows into the Colorado River.

Weather at Coke Ovens

The area around Coke Ovens has a semi-arid climate. This means it's usually dry. Summers are hot, and winters are cold with some snow.

Temperatures can reach 100°F (38°C) a few days each year. They often get to 90°F (32°C) for many days. The temperature stays at or below freezing for about 13 days a year. The best time to visit is from April through October.

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