Why is Montezuma Castle National Monument fee collection cashless?
Reducing cash collected in fee operations allows a park unit to be a better steward of our visitors’ dollars. It allows Montezuma Castle National Monument to:
- Reduce the amount of time park staff spend managing cash (i.e. reduce our administrative burden)
- Improve accountability, reduces the chance of errors, and allows the park to maximize funding available for visitor services and critical projects
- Reduce transaction times
- Cashless fee collection helps us stay safe, secure, and effective and allows our rangers to spend more time with visitors
When does the park plan to start cashless operations?
Cashless operations will begin March 1st, 2024.
What advantages does this have to the park visitor?
Uniform cashless policies should decrease wait times and reduce errors around making change.
Can I use contactless payments (e.g., Apple Pay or my pre-paid Wallet phone app)?
Yes, you can use Apple Pay and other contactless payment systems to pay entrance fees.
Will there be a fee for using a debit/credit card as payment?
No, there will be no additional fee added on for needing to use a debit or credit card.
Can I use a personal check or cashier’s check?
No. Only credit, debit, and other forms of electronic payment will be accepted for payment of entrance fees.
Can I purchase a pass before I get to the park?
Yes. Visitors can go to recreation.gov to purchase a Montezuma Castle National Monument 7-Day Entrance Pass, or Park Specific Annual Pass.
Can I show a digital copy of my pre-paid entrance pass at park entrance stations?
Yes. Since cell service is limited at the entrance station, it is recommended that passes are downloaded ahead of time. Please have an ID ready to show with your digital pass.
Can I still use cash for bookstore purchases at Montezuma Castle National Monument?
Yes, our park partner, Western National Parks Association, accepts cash for bookstore purchases..
What are entrances fees used for?
Entrance fees are an important source of revenue used to improve the visitor experience at National Park Service sites, including road and facility repairs and maintenance, trail improvements, accessibility improvements, visitor and resource protection services, and more.
How are commercial tours affected?
Commercial tour operators must pay for fees with a credit card.
