News Release

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument Fees to Increase in 2018

Date: December 20, 2017
Contact: Jeff Wolin, (719) 748 - 3253 ext. 202

 In the fall of 2014, the National Park Service (NPS) began a review of entrance fees charged throughout the National Park System, in part, to bring greater consistency to fees being charged at parks of similar size and complexity. At that time, Florissant Fossil Beds engaged the public and stakeholders about the proposed changes and impacts. Based on the feedback, the monument developed a two-year phased fee increase implementation strategy to meet the needs of the community based on the public comments. The strategy was to phase entrance fee increases over a two-year period. Phase one of the strategy began in the summer of 2015 and the second and final increase will begin January 2, 2018. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument’s weekly fee will increase from $5.00 to $7.00 per person and the annual park pass will increase from $20.00 to $30.00.

Entrance fees are not charged to persons under 16 years of age or to holders of the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, Annual Pass (for frequent park visitors), Senior Pass (age 62 or older), Active Duty Military Pass (free annually), Access Pass (permanently disabled), and Volunteer Pass. These passes are available at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument.

“We are committed to keeping Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument affordable, and we also want to provide visitors with the best possible experience” said Superintendent Michelle Wheatley. “While basic operations of the park are funded by direct appropriations from Congress, the fee program is intended to provide for various enhancements to facilities and visitor services. We feel that our fee changes are appropriate and necessary, as they will supply a critical source of funding for Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument as we move forward into the future.” One hundred percent of fees collected stay right here in the park and are put to work improving facilities and enhancing visitor services important to visitors. Entrance fees have supported a wide range of projects that improve park conditions and visitor experience, including renovating the Hornbek Historic Homestead, rehabilitating trails, developing and installing new exhibits, and providing ranger programs.

There are no additional fees for any park programs beyond the daily entrance fee of $7.00 per adult (15 and younger are free). Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument offers 15 miles of beautiful, yet lesser known, hiking trails to explore, a free Junior Ranger Program, three short self-guided trails, a park video and museum exhibits, and bookstore. For additional information, please call [phone] or visit our website: www.nps.gov/flfo or on Facebook at /FlorissantNPS.

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 417 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov