Fee-Free Weekend July 18-19

Date: July 10, 2009

Be Our Guest at Colorado National Monument for Fee-Free Weekend July 18 - 19.

The National Park Service cordially invites everyone to be our guest at Colorado National Monument on Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19. This will be the second of three fee-free weekends offered this summer. The final fee free weekend will be August 15-16. During these weekends, entrance fees will be waived. However, campground fees will be charged.

Colorado National Monument will offer visitors the opportunity to participate in several ranger-led programs throughout the weekend including two special Family Fun Programs.

• Saturday, July 18, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., "Where Is That Critter?" Kids! Sharpen your wildlife viewing skills and become a wildlife detective! Learn basic wildlife sighting skills by using binoculars, spotting scopes, and a trained eye to scavenger hunt for wild things. Create a special critter craft to take home. Meet at the visitor center.
• Sunday, July 19, 10:00 a.m. – noon, "Come Bug a Ranger" guided hike, Join a ranger for a fun family hike into Echo Canyon. Activities will include a guided hike and an investigation into the amazing world of insects. Meet at the Devil’s Kitchen Picnic Area and be prepared for the 1.5 mile hike with plenty of water and sturdy walking shoes.

The full schedule of daily ranger programs and locations to meet is as follows.

Saturday, July 18. Meet at the visitor center for all programs:

• 9:30 a.m. – Canyon Rim Ramble Nature Walk (1.5 hrs.)
• 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Watchable Wildlife (1.5 hrs.)
• 1:30 p.m. Porch Talk – All About the Rocks (20 min.)
• 2:30 p.m. Porch Talk – Lizards (20 min.)
• 4:30 p.m. Porch Talk – All About the Rocks (20 min.)

Sunday, July 19. Meet at visitor center for all programs.

• 9:30 a.m. – Canyon Rim Ramble (1.5 hrs.)
• 11:30 a.m. Porch Talk – All About the Rocks (20 min.)
• 2:30 p.m. Porch Talk – Climate Changes in Geological History (20 min.)
• 4:30 p.m. Porch Talk – All About the Rocks (20 min.)
• *Meet at the Devils Kitchen Picnic Area* 10:00-noon "Come Bug a Ranger"” guided hike (2 hrs)

During the fee-free weekend, visitors can also take advantage of a 15% discounts on all T-shirts in the Colorado National Monument Association bookstore located at the visitor center. To learn more about visiting Colorado National Monument, visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/colm or call 970-858-3617, 360.

To learn more about fee-free weekends in national parks around the country, go to https://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm