Today is National Park Service founder's day and it marks the 103rd anniversary of the creation of the National Park Service. President Woodrow Wilson authorized the service on August 25th, 1916. The day honors the National Park System's preservation and conservation efforts.
To celebrate all national parks are free today. This includes these National Parks here in Colorado:
- Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, CO. It's a 2.5 hour drive from Colorado Springs or just over 3 hours from Pueblo.
- The Great Sand Dunes National Park near Alamosa, CO. It is almost a 3 hour drive from Colorado Springs or 2 hours from Pueblo.
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park near Montrose, CO. It is about 4.5 hours drive from Colorado Springs or Pueblo.
- Mesa Verde National Park in Cortez, CO. It's near the southwest corner of the state, or about a 7 hour drive from Colorado Springs, or 6 hours from Pueblo. Nearby is the Yucca House National Monument and the Hovenweep National Monument.
Also, National Monuments are open for free today, including:
- Florissant Fossil Beds in Florissant, CO. It is a quick trip, 1.5 hours from Pueblo and just under an hour drive from Colorado Springs.
- Dinosaur National Monument in Dinosaur, CO. It's in northwest Colorado or about a 6 hour drive from Colorado Springs.
- Colorado National Monument in Fruita, CO. It's located in western Colorado, or just over a 5 hour drive from Colorado Springs.
