Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument to Waive Entrance Fees for Martin Luther King JR Day January 19 2015

Date: January 9, 2015
Contact: Jeff Wolin, (719) 748 - 3253 ext. 202

Florissant, CO:Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument along with America's 401 other national park units will waive entrance fees on Monday, January 19, 2015 in honor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

Come and enjoy your park! Consider starting your visit in the Monument's new, state-of-the-art visitor center where you can view the park film "Shadows of the Past", explore hand's on exhibits, and visit the recently remodeled bookstore. Children can earn their Junior Ranger Badge or Patch through the free, Junior Ranger program. If hiking is more your style, enjoy one of the many secluded trails at the park. There are 14 miles of trails that wind through the peaceful, montane forests of the Florissant valley.The Monument also has two picnic areas where you can enjoy an outdoor lunch. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is open daily 9:00 AM –5:00 PM.

Besides a fee-free day, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument will offer visitors the opportunity to participate in a ranger-guided hike and a paleontology demonstration:

Monday, January 19, "Stories in Stone" Interpretive Hike and Paleontology Demonstration:

10:00AM –11:30PM Join Ranger Whitney for a family friendly interpretive hike along the Petrified Forest Trail and explore the story of ancient volcanos, towering redwood trees, and three-toed horses. Meet at the Visitor Center.Be prepared for a 1 -2 mile hike. Dress for winter hiking.

1:00PM –3:00PMJoin geologist Dr. Bob Carnein,for a fun, hands-on demonstration to see how paleontologists uncover tiny leaf and insect fossils at Florissant Fossil Beds.Meet in the visitor center any time between 1:00PM and 3:00PM.

To learn more about fee-free days in national parks around the country in 2015, go to https://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm.

For additional information visit the park's website at www.nps.gov/flfoor call at (719) 748 –3253.

Follow us on Twitter at @FlorissantNPS and on Facebook/FlorissantNPS or visit the park's website at www.nps.gov/flfo