News Release

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument Eliminates Entrance Fees

Date: March 13, 2019
Contact: Dave Carney, 520-723-3172

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument Eliminates Entrance Fees

COOLIDGE, AZ – Beginning March 7, 2019, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument no longer charges an entrance fee to visit the Monument. After analyzing the costs and benefits of the recreational fee program, park leadership determined that it is in the best interest of both Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and the public to eliminate the entrance fees at the Monument.

“Our cost-benefit analysis revealed that the administrative burden of maintaining our fee program is not sustainable,” explained Park Superintendent, Alexandra Hernandez. She noted that, “This decision is the right thing to do for both visitors and our staff members, who now can focus their time and talents on the core missions of the National Park Service and the Monument.”

“Casa Grande Ruins National Monument has, and always will, welcome donations from park visitors, supporters, and advocates,” Hernandez added. “Donations will continue to sustain visitor programs and support the park mission.”

As of March 7, 2019, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument no longer sells the various America the Beautiful passes for entrance to National Parks and other Federal Recreational Lands (the annual $20 Senior Pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over, the $80 lifetime Senior Pass, and the $80 Annual Pass).

The free passes for active-duty military, for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities; and for the 4th-grade Every Kid in a Park program will continue to be available at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument.

All America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes can still be purchased at most federal recreation sites that collect entrance fees, or by applying at http://store.usgs.gov/pass/index.html.

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument protects the multi-story Great House (Casa Grande) and the remnants of other ancient structures built by the Ancestral Sonoran Desert People over 800 years ago.  Established as the nation’s first federal archeological reserve in 1892, the Ruins sparked the beginning of the archeological preservation movement in America.  The Monument is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., May through September, and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., October through April, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Independence Day holidays.  Directions and additional information are available on the Monument’s website, http://www.nps.gov/cagr. You may call [phone], or follow us on Facebook by searching for Casa Grande Ruins National Monument.