Colorado national park to go fully cashless
DENVER (KDVR) — A Colorado national park is officially going cashless for all fee collection.
On Monday, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park said it will transition to a fully cashless fee system effective immediately. All visitors must use mobile or electronic payments for entrance, camping and permit fees.
'Transition to electronic payment is safer, reduces transaction times, allows for reservations and prepayment and improves accountability,' said the National Park Service in a press release.
All entrance and campground fees, as well as wilderness route permits, can be purchased online.
RMNP visitorship falls, but these Colorado national parks saw an increase: data
Those wishing to camp at Black Canyon National Park have the option to pay for first-come, first-served spots. Guests can use the Scan and Pay option on the Recreation.gov mobile app by scanning the QR code at the campground spot and completing their payment. The Scan and Pay system also works in remote areas without a cell signal.
According to the National Park Service, 95% of in-person sales at the park use credit and debit.
'Cash handling costs include park rangers' time counting money, auditing collections, making bank deposits, storage of payment envelopes and files, and processing paperwork, most of which is remedied through cashless sales. The transition to cashless payments will allow the NPS to redirect cash-processing time and direct costs to other work that directly benefits park visitors,' said NPS.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison is near Montrose on the Western Slope. The park is home to some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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OURAY, Colo. (KREX) — On Monday, June 2, the Blue Lakes area closed for trailhead construction and restoration efforts. After the closure announcement, the U.S. Forest Service for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) areas received inquiries from visitors and community members. In response, GMUG released follow-up information to address the questions: Visitors can still access the Blue Lakes through Yankee Boy Basin and Blue Lakes Pass by doing an out-and-back hike. Access to this area requires a high-clearance vehicle and technical driving skills. Visitors should expect more primitive trail conditions along the trail. Visitors cannot access Blue Lakes from the Dallas Trail due to the closure. Visitors can access the Blaine Basin from County Road 5 or from the Dallas Trailhead off of County Road 17. The new parking lot will occupy the existing parking area and will have improved drainage, a new double-vault restroom and delineated parking spaces for visitors. GMUG is currently working with to develop details and logistics for a new permit system. The earliest the new system will be put in place would be at the start of the 2026 season, however, there is no confirmed implementation date. The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) will be funding the improvements made to the area. Temporary fences will be installed to protect and preserve restoration areas during construction. The project is expected to last through August 2025 and the area will reopen once it is safe for the public to access. More information about the closure can be found at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
