Fall season schedules at Mesa Verde National Park will begin Sept. 8, with additional schedule changes later in September and October. Highlights of changes for autumn include:

The park will waive entrance fees Tuesday to celebrate the 99th birthday of the National Park Service.

Wetherill Mesa will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for hiking and bicycle-riding on the Long House Loop, weather-permitting. Ranger-guided tours of Long House will be offered at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily through Sept. 19. Tickets are required.

Step House will be open daily for self-guided discovery from 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m., with rangers present in the site. Beginning Sept. 20, Long House and Step House will close for the season, while Wetherill Mesa will remain open for hiking and bicycle-riding on the Long House Loop, weather-permitting.

Cliff Palace will close for the season Sept. 14 for preservation work.

Balcony House will remain open every day for ranger-guided tours through Oct. 31. Hours vary slightly by day. Tickets are required.

Fall hours at the Visitor and Research Center are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Tickets for ranger-guided tours are available for purchase in person at the Visitor and Research Center up to two days in advance of your visit.

Tickets for ranger-guided tours are also available at the Colorado Welcome Center in Cortez.

For more information and detailed schedules, visit http://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit or call 529-4465.