In case you haven’t heard, September 27 is one of two remaining ‘free days’ hosted by the National Park Service, meaning that getting into Rocky Mountain National Park, the Great Sand Dunes National Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and Mesa Verde National Park will come at no costs to guests. National monuments can be visited for free, too.

The reason for waived entrance fees on September 27 is National Public Lands Day, which occurs on the fourth Saturday of September each year. Given that it’s a Saturday, expect crowds – and you’ll still need a timed-entry reservation at Rocky Mountain National Park for much of the day.

Those looking to skip the crowds might want to head to a national monument – Colorado has nine. Browns Canyon National Monument is located near Buena Vista, Colorado National Monument is located near Grand Junction, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument is located near Cortez, Chimney Rock National Monument is located near Pagosa Springs, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is located near Cripple Creek and Colorado Springs, Dinosaur National Monument is located near Dinosaur in northwest Colorado, Hovenweep National Monument is located near Cortez, Yucca House National Monument is located near Cortez and Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument is located near Leadville (Learn more about all of these national monuments here).

It’s important to remember that only the entrance fee is waived on the ‘fee free days’ hosted by the National Park Service. Fees related to camping and other services still apply.

The last of seven ‘free days’ practiced by the National Park Service will take place on November 11, so if you can’t make it to one of the 13 spots above this month, mark your calendars for then.

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