Chimney Rock National Monument plans a day of free, interactive and educational public events from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 24 in recognition of its 10th anniversary as a designated national monument.

Chimney Rock became a national monument by presidential proclamation on Sept. 21, 2012, making it the seventh national monument managed by the U.S. Forest Service, according to a news release from the Forest Service. The daylong event will also showcase a new visitor’s center.

Visitors to the site have long appreciated the monument’s unique, scenic beauty, scientific significance and its rich history as a sacred, spiritual area for religious ceremonies of Native American tribes.

The Chimney Rock anniversary event is supported by the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act, which supports tribes and tribal organizations in showcasing their history.

More information can be found on San Juan National Forest’s homepage at www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan.

Chimney Rock National Monument is located at 3179 Colorado Highway 151, about 40 miles east of Durango and 20 miles west of Pagosa Springs.

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