Your Fee Dollars at Work

Thank you for supporting your public lands! One hundred percent of recreational fees collected in the monument are reinvested right here at Capulin Volcano. The monument uses revenues from fees for all kinds of projects, including deferred maintenance projects, that improve visitor facilities like park roads, buildings, utilities, trails, and more.

On average Capulin Volcano collects a little over $200,000 in recreation fees per year which goes directly into projects benefiting the visitor experience and deferred maintenance projects. Over time, this adds up to dozens of projects completed using fee money. Please see the list of project below to see exactly where your Capulin Volcano entry fee money helps us preserve and protect your monument for you. To see where your fee dollars help when visiting other parks please visit the NPS Fee Dollars at Work page. Thanks again for supporting your public lands.

 

Visitor Center Auditorium and Exhibit Area

A television sits inside a wall of wood paneling.  On both sides are speakers also embedded in the wall.  Five chair backs face the camera.  To the left is an exit illuminated by daylight. A television sits inside a wall of wood paneling.  On both sides are speakers also embedded in the wall.  Five chair backs face the camera.  To the left is an exit illuminated by daylight.

Left image
The old visitor center auditorium
Credit: NPS photo

Right image
New visitor center exhibit.
Credit: NPS: Dan Kish

Auditorium Remodel

The visitor center remodel allowed us to upgrade the auditorium with modern equipment, repair walls, and to install new and relevant exhibits. The park film is now shown in a separate room with an improved park film.

 

Visitor Center Remodel

A visitor center foyer is dappled in sunlight.  Along the righ the American flag stands posted at the entry to the main building.  Ahead two benches line each side of the walkway.  To the left a brick wall of windows faces outside. A visitor center foyer is dappled in sunlight.  Along the righ the American flag stands posted at the entry to the main building.  Ahead two benches line each side of the walkway.  To the left a brick wall of windows faces outside.

Left image
Old Visitor Center Foyer
Credit: Photo: NPS

Right image
New Visitor Center expanded into old foyer.
Credit: NPS: Dan Kish

Visitor Center Foyer

The visitor center remodel addressed many things including the expansion of the visitor center floor plan into the foyer area. This expansion allowed us to increase floorspace for better customer service, stock more items in the bookstore, and to provide for a more professional and comfortable visitor experience.

 

Visitor Center Restrooms

A women's restroom with three stalls along the left.  A narrow walkway leads along the stalls to a single window which lets in some light which shines faintly on the tile floor. A women's restroom with three stalls along the left.  A narrow walkway leads along the stalls to a single window which lets in some light which shines faintly on the tile floor.

Left image
The old visitor center restroom.
Credit: Photo:  NPS

Right image
The new visitor center restroom.
Credit: Photo:  NPS Dan Kish

The restrooms at the visitor center were in dire need of repair and update. The remodel allowed us to repair deficiencies as well as meet accessibility requirements.  

 

Park Entrance Sign

An entrance sign in a grassy field perpendicular to a rock wall. An entrance sign in a grassy field perpendicular to a rock wall.

Left image
The old Capulin Volcano entrance sign.
Credit: Photo:  NPS

Right image
The new Capulin Volcano entrance sign.
Credit: Photo:  NPS

The park entrance sign was deteriorating and did not face visitors upon entering the monument. Fee collection revenue allowed us to relocate and improve the entrance sign which is a bucket list photo op for most visitors.

 
Image collage of 2 images of HVAC equipment. The top image is a wall mount heating and cooling unit while the lower image is an outdoor pump and fan component used to control HVAC throughout.
Visitor Center HVAC components.

Photo:  NPS Dan Kish

Visitor Center HVAC

Fee collection revenue has made it possible for the visitor center to have functional heat and air conditioning. Temperatures at Capulin range from near zero during winter to almost 100 degrees during the peak summer months.
 
Two pickup trucks are parked inward underneath a carport. Snow covers the ground while tall pine trees erupt into the blue sky.
Carports protect monument vehicles from the elements.

Photo:  NPS Dan Kish

Covered Parking

Fee collection revenue allowed us to protect government vehicles from the elements. Capulin is known for violent thunderstorms which bring significant hail. Previously, thousands of dollars in vehicle damages needed to be repaired.
 
A park bench sits atop a concrete surface covered in snow.
Park benches are being replaced thanks to fee revenue collected at Capulin Volcano.

Photo:  NPS Dan Kish

Replacement of Park Benches

Fee collection revenue permitted us to replace 16 benches throughout the monument. Previous benches had been deteriorating due to graffiti and the elements. One bench along the top of the volcano had even been struck by lightning.
 

Upcoming Projects

Projects which use revenue generated from entrance fees must go through an approval process. Parks are encouraged to maintain a 5 year plan of how to best utilze funds. Although the list is constantly being prioritized as project ideas come and go, here are some of the upcoming needs at Capulin Volcano.
  • Repair Weather Related Damage on the Lava Flow Trail
  • Replace Failed Irrigation System at Visitor Center
  • Replace 460 feet of the Nature Trail
  • Replace Obsolete Visitor Center Exhibits
  • Repoint and Repair Visitor Center Wall and Flowerbed


Last updated: January 7, 2022

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

46 Volcano Highway
Capulin, NM 88414

Phone:

575 278-2201

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