Colorado National Monument

Every visitor needs a valid entrance pass to enjoy Colorado National Monument, whether you are driving the rim, biking the roadway, or heading out on foot. You can buy a site-specific pass at either entrance station, at the visitor center when stations are closed, or online for a digital pass you can show on your phone or print before you arrive. Payment by card is preferred at staffed locations, and self-pay stations just inside both entrances offer additional convenience when stations are unstaffed.

Three primary options cover most trips. A standard pass suits a one-time visit and covers everyone riding in a private vehicle. If you plan to return within the year, the monument’s own annual pass offers repeat entry for the passholder and accompanying passengers in a private vehicle at this site. If you expect to visit multiple national parks or other federal recreation sites, the America the Beautiful program provides a single pass that works across participating lands managed by national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, reclamation areas, land management districts, and the Corps of Engineers. Depending on the fee structure at a given site, that national pass covers a single private vehicle or a small group at per-person locations. Passholders should be prepared to show photo identification with their card.

Several groups may qualify for a discounted or free national pass within the America the Beautiful program. Options exist for older adults, current members of the armed forces and their dependents, veterans, Gold Star families, people with a permanent disability, fourth grade students and their families, and volunteers who have reached a service milestone. Each pass has specific eligibility and presentation requirements and is valid at many federal sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees.

Entrance passes for commercial tours and large non-commercial groups follow a different schedule based on vehicle capacity. Educational groups may request an academic fee waiver when the visit has a documented curriculum connection to monument resources and meets application and timing requirements. Waivers do not include camping or other expanded amenity charges.

On select days throughout the year, national parks that normally charge an entrance fee welcome everyone at no cost. These dates commemorate service, public lands, and shared history, and they offer an easy way to discover new places or return to favorites. Other reservation or service fees may still apply where relevant.

If you prefer to arrive ready, you can purchase the monument’s digital site pass before your trip and keep a copy on your device or in print for quick scanning at the gate. Digital passes are site specific and non-transferable, and they are best for visitors who know their dates and plan to enter by the main road corridors.

Revenue from entrance fees directly supports trails, restrooms, visitor facilities, safety improvements, and protection of natural and cultural resources. By choosing the pass that matches your plans, you help care for the canyons and mesas that make this place unforgettable while keeping your entry quick and simple.