Is there an entrance fee at Fort Union National Monument?

NPS lists it as a fee-free park, so there is no entrance fee. Confirm on the official page before your trip.

What are the hours at Fort Union National Monument?

NPS lists the grounds and visitor center as open daily, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, in general. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Are dogs allowed at Fort Union National Monument?

Where pets are allowed, the national NPS pet rule requires a leash no longer than six feet, or a crate or cage. Pets are not allowed in public buildings, with service animals excepted.

What activities does NPS list at Fort Union National Monument?

NPS lists guided tours, self-guided walking tours, living history, historic weapons demonstrations and a Junior Ranger Program.

All parks › Fort Union National Monument

Fort Union National Monument: fees, hours, camping and when to visit

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on National Park Service data. Published by Humblebee.

Entrance fee: None^[1]
Busiest month (2025): May^[2]
Recreation visits, 2025: 7,813^[3]
Visitor centers: 1^[4]

Fort Union National Monument is a unit of the National Park System in New Mexico^[5]. NPS lists it as a fee-free park, so there is no entrance fee^[1].

Entrance fees and passes

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for Fort Union National Monument^[1]. Some tours, campgrounds or permits inside a park can still have their own fees.

When to visit and hours

NPS lists the grounds and visitor center as open daily, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, in general^[6]. The monument is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day^[6]. NPS also lists a winter hours period, so check the official page for the current schedule^[6]. In 2025 the busiest month was May with 1,061 recreation visits^[2]. October 2025 recorded 0 visits^[2]. From June to September, daytime temperatures may pass 90 degrees Fahrenheit^[7]. In winter, readings often fall under 32 degrees Fahrenheit^[7].

Recreation visits counted by the National Park Service in each month of 2025. The busiest month, May, is highlighted^[2].

Show visits by month

Month, 2025	Recreation visits
January	314
February	412
March	981
April	701
May	1,061
June	987
July	924
August	850
September	851
October	0
November	319
December	413

Show visits by year

Year	Recreation visits
2021^[3]	12,618
2022^[3]	7,557
2023^[3]	9,570
2024^[3]	9,217
2025^[3]	7,813

Pets and dogs

Under the national NPS pet rule, pets must be kept in a crate or cage, or on a leash of six feet or less, where they are allowed^[8]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings, with service animals excepted^[8]. Each park can close more areas to pets, so confirm local rules with the park^[8].

Before you go

NPS lists no entrance fee for this monument^[1].
Hours and closures change, so confirm on the official park page before you go^[6].
NPS notes that a single day can swing by as much as 50 degrees, so bring layers^[7].
NPS notes intense sunlight and extremely low humidity in summer^[7].
NPS lists 1 visitor center, the Fort Union National Monument Visitor Center^[4].

Questions people ask

Is there an entrance fee at Fort Union National Monument?: NPS lists it as a fee-free park, so there is no entrance fee^[1]. Confirm on the official page before your trip^[6].
What are the hours at Fort Union National Monument?: NPS lists the grounds and visitor center as open daily, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, in general^[6]. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day^[6].
What is the busiest month at Fort Union National Monument?: In 2025 the busiest month was May with 1,061 recreation visits^[2].
Are dogs allowed at Fort Union National Monument?: Where pets are allowed, the national NPS pet rule requires a leash no longer than six feet, or a crate or cage^[8]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings, with service animals excepted^[8].
What activities does NPS list at Fort Union National Monument?: NPS lists guided tours, self-guided walking tours, living history, historic weapons demonstrations and a Junior Ranger Program^[9].

Facts and sources

NPS lists Fort Union National Monument as a fee-free park: there is no entrance fee. National Park Service
NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 12,618, 2022: 7,557, 2023: 9,570, 2024: 9,217, 2025: 7,813. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
Visitor centers listed by NPS: 1 (Fort Union National Monument Visitor Center). National Park Service
Fort Union National Monument is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Monument) in New Mexico. National Park Service
Operating hours, Fort Union National Monument Operating Hours: The monument grounds and visitor center are generally open 7 days a week, from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. The monument is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day. Listed exceptions:... National Park Service
NPS weather and seasons overview for Fort Union National Monument. National Park Service
National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
Activities NPS lists for Fort Union National Monument: Guided Tours, Self-Guided Tours - Walking, Living History, Historic Weapons Demonstration, Junior Ranger Program, Shopping, Bookstore and Park Store. National Park Service

Fees and hours are what NPS lists in its data at the snapshot date. They change: tell readers to confirm on the official park page before a trip. Visits are NPS recreation visits (counted entries, not unique people). Use them only for this park's own months and years, never to rank parks. Campground list and site counts come from NPS and Recreation.gov records. Count fields can differ slightly between the two. The pet rule is the national baseline (36 CFR 2.15). The park may close more areas to pets. Do not claim specific trails allow dogs unless a fact says so.