Presidents Day Weekend 2015 Fee Free

Date: January 31, 2015
Contact: Jeff Wolin, (719) 748 - 3253

Florissant, CO:Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument along with America's 405 other national park units will waive entrance fees from Saturday, February 14^th through Monday, February, 16^th in honor of Presidents Day Weekend.

Come and enjoy your park! Consider starting your visit in the Monument's visitor center where you can view the park film "Shadows of the Past", explore hands-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.

During this fee-free weekend, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument will offer visitors the opportunity to participate in a variety of ranger guided programs and other activities:

Saturday, February 14^th , Valentine's Day:

10:00 AM –1:00 PM. Join Ranger Scott for a guided hike on part of the Boulder Creek and Hornbek Wildlife Loop Trails. The total distance for the hike will be 5 miles. Dress in layers and bring snacks, water, etc.Meet at the visitor center at 10:00 AM.

9:00 AM –3:00 PM.The Great Backyard Bird Count. Join the Friends of the Florissant Fossil Beds and partners and participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count.Hike with expert birders and learn how to find and identify birds. Your results will become part of a long-term ongoing scientific study.Birding groups leave at 9:00AM, 10:30AM, and 1:00PM.There will also be crafts and hands-on activities for kids and families throughout the day. Come to the Visitor Center to find out more information.

6:00 PM –8:00 PM.Night Sky Program: Romance is Written in the Stars. Join us as we share some of the epic love stories from constellation mythology. Then take a stroll by starlight to see the constellations themselves, and the cosmic treasures hidden within them. Featured objects in the telescopes include the Pleiades Star Cluster, the Great Orion Nebula, and the king of the planets, Jupiter. Meet at the Visitor Center.

Sunday, February 15^th:

1:00 PM –3:00 PMJoin 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 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.

Monday, February 16^th:

1:00 PM –3:00 PMBring your rocks to be identified! Geologist Dr. Bob Carnein will be available to identify all of the cool rocks you have lying around your house, closet, or garage. You can also learn about the rocks of the Florissant valley. Meet in the visitor center any time between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.

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