News Release

2018 proposed entrance fee increase

Date: September 6, 2017

Release Date: September 6, 2017
Contact: Lynn Cartmell, [e-mail],  575-278-2201
 
Capulin Volcano National Monument Proposes Entrance Fee Increase
 
Capulin, NM - Capulin Volcano National Monument will hold a town hall meeting at the Visitor Center to discuss possible fee increases in 2018. Changes include an increase to Capulin Volcano’s weekly auto pass, motorcycle pass, individual, and park specific annual pass. Below is a table of the current fees, and the increase that the park is suggesting. Entrance fees are not charged to persons under 16 years of age or holders of the America the Beautiful-The National Parks and Federal Recreational Annual, Senior, Access, Military, or Volunteer Passes. These passes may be obtained at the park.
 

Current Fee Rate	Increased Fee Rate
Weekly Auto Pass - $7.00	Weekly Auto Pass - $15.00
Motorcycle - $5.00	Motorcycle - $10.00
Individual - $5.00	Individual - $7.00
Park Specific Annual Pass - $15.00	Park Specific Annual Pass - $30.00

“We at Capulin Volcano National Monument are committed to keeping the park affordable and at the same time we wish to provide our visitors with the best possible experience,” said Capulin Volcano National Monument Superintendent Randy Bilbeisi. “The fee and donation monies are used in many ways to enhance visitor experiences. For example, fees have been used to enhance the Volcano Rim Trail. They have been used to provide excellent educational venues and opportunities as well as provide for improvements to the visitor center and restroom facilities. In essence, the purpose of Capulin's fee program is to help ensure our visitors have a memorable and positive experience while visiting.”

Additional revenue raised by a fee increase would help renovate the aging infrastructure in the park and help provide new exhibits and quality trails for the public to enjoy. Capulin Volcano National Monument is a strong economic engine for the surrounding area. In 2016, more than 60,000 park visitors contributed 1.818 million to the local economy and supported 27 jobs related to tourism.
 
Park staff are seeking public comment about the proposed fee schedule. Capulin Volcano will conduct a town hall meeting at the park Visitor Center on Tuesday, October 3, 2017, at 5:00p.m. this meeting will include a public comment session specific to the proposed fee changes. For those not attending the town hall, written comments can be sent to the park via Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/CAVOFee, via email at e-mail us, or on the park’s social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram). We ask that all comments be sent to us by October 7, 2017. The new fees could be implemented in early 2018. Following the public comment period, feedback will determine how, or if, a fee increases would be implemented.