Fee Free Weekend June 5 - 6

Date: June 2, 2010

The National Park Service cordially invites everyone to be our guest at Colorado National Monument on Saturday, June 5 and Sunday, June 6. This will be one of two fee-free weekends offered this summer. The second fee-free weekend is August 14 - 15.

Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar announced that the waived fees are being offered as a way to encourage Americans seeking affordable vacations to visit their national parks and national refuges. The initiative was also designed to encourage people to connect with the great outdoors and engage in healthy activities.In addition to the June and August dates, entrance fees will be waived for National Public Lands Day on September 25, 2010.

Besides a fee-free weekend, Colorado National Monument will offer visitors the opportunity to participate in several ranger-led programs throughout the weekend: 

Saturday, June 5

8:30 – 10:30 a.m. "Looking for Lizards" guided hike. Join ranger Eric Sandstrom for a fun family hike into No Thoroughfare Canyon. Activities will include a guided hike and an investigation into the amazing world of lizards. Meet at the Devil's Kitchen Picnic Area. Be prepared for a 2.4 mile hike. Bring plenty of water and wear sturdy walking shoes.

10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. "Canyon Carving Forces" porch talks. Join ranger geologist Don Regan and explore the story of erosion and learn how the majestic canyons of Colorado National Monument came to be in this constantly changing landscape. 20 minutes. Meet at the Saddlehorn Visitor Center.

Sunday, June 6

10:00 –11:30 a.m. "Canyon Rim Ramble" guided hike. Join ranger geologist Don Regan for a one-mile hike to see how natural forces of weathering and erosion have shaped and continue to sculpt Colorado National Monument. You are invited to unearth the dramatic story of how this landscape has changed. Meet at the Saddlehorn Visitor Center. Bring plenty of water and wear sturdy walking shoes.

1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. "Canyon Carving Forces" porch talks. Join ranger geologist Don Regan and explore the story of erosion. Learn how the majestic canyons of Colorado National Monument came to be in this constantly changing landscape. 20 minutes. Meet at the Saddlehorn Visitor Center.

During the two fee-free weekends, visitors can also take advantage of a 10 percent discount on all items in the Colorado National Monument Association store located at the visitor center. To learn more about fee-free weekends in national parks around the country, go to https://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm.