Is there an entrance fee at Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site?

NPS lists it as a fee-free park, so there is no entrance fee. Fees can change, so confirm on the official page.

What is the best time to visit Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site?

In 2025 the busiest month was May with 743 visits. NPS notes summer can top 100°F and winter can fall under 20°F.

Are dogs allowed at Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site?

NPS lists pets as permitted on all 4 of its things to do. Pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet or crated.

What days is Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site open?

NPS says the park is open five days a week and lists seasonal and holiday closures. Check the official page for current hours.

All parks › Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site

Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site: 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: 4,338^[3]
Visitor centers: 1^[4]

Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site is a unit of the National Park System in Colorado^[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 Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site^[1]. Some tours, campgrounds or permits inside a park can still have their own fees.

When to visit and hours

NPS places the park 23 miles from Eads, Colorado, and says it is open five days a week^[6]. NPS also lists closures for Veterans Day on 2026-11-11, Thanksgiving Day on 2026-11-26, a fall off season from 2026-11-14 to 2026-12-31 and a winter off season from 2027-01-01 to 2027-03-15^[6]. In 2025, May was the busiest month with 743 recreation visits^[2]. October 2025 recorded 0 visits^[2]. NPS describes weather that varies a lot, with summer highs above 100°F and winter lows below 20°F^[7]. It also mentions blowing dust and sand year-round, and storms that can bring tornadoes or blizzards^[7]. Call the on-duty Ranger at (719)-438-5916 to ask about road conditions^[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	75
February	125
March	414
April	301
May	743
June	722
July	574
August	539
September	585
October	0
November	157
December	103

Show visits by year

Year	Recreation visits
2021^[3]	6,201
2022^[3]	4,772
2023^[3]	5,855
2024^[3]	6,401
2025^[3]	4,338

Pets and dogs

The national NPS pet rule says where pets are allowed, they must be kept in a crate or cage or on a leash of six feet or less^[8]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings, and service animals are excepted^[8]. NPS lists pets as permitted on all 4 of its listed things to do here^[9]. Each park can close more areas to pets, so check with the park^[8].

Before you go

Confirm hours and closures on the official NPS park page before you go^[6].
There is no entrance fee listed by NPS^[1].
Pack for dust, sand and big temperature swings^[7].
Call the Ranger at (719)-438-5916 about road conditions^[7].
NPS lists 1 visitor center, the Information Center^[4].

Questions people ask

Is there an entrance fee at Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site?: NPS lists it as a fee-free park, so there is no entrance fee^[1]. Fees can change, so confirm on the official page.
What is the best time to visit Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site?: In 2025 the busiest month was May with 743 visits^[2]. NPS notes summer can top 100°F and winter can fall under 20°F^[7].
Are dogs allowed at Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site?: NPS lists pets as permitted on all 4 of its things to do^[9]. Pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet or crated^[8].
What days is Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site open?: NPS says the park is open five days a week and lists seasonal and holiday closures^[6]. Check the official page for current hours.

Facts and sources

NPS lists Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site 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: 6,201, 2022: 4,772, 2023: 5,855, 2024: 6,401, 2025: 4,338. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
Visitor centers listed by NPS: 1 (Information Center). National Park Service
Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Historic Site) in Colorado. National Park Service
Operating hours, Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site: The park is located 23 miles outside of the town of Eads, Colorado and is open five days a week. Please view the directions tab for more information. Listed exceptions: Winter off season period... National Park Service
NPS weather and seasons overview for Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site. 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
NPS lists 4 things to do at Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site: Be a Sand Creek B.A.R.K. Ranger, Hike the Monument Hill Trail, The Bluff Trail, Sand Creek Ranger Talk. Pets permitted on 4 of them (Be a Sand Creek B.A.R.K. Ranger, Hike the Monument... 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.