Planning to visit Rocky Mountain National Park between May 24 through Mid-October?
Rocky Mountain National Park will implement a timed entry permit reservation system during specific hours of the day, beginning on May 24 through mid-October. This system applies to all areas of the park.
There are two different timed entry permit options to choose from: Timed Entry or Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road
Planning to visit Rocky Mountain National Park between May 24 through Mid-October? Check out this video to learn more.
NPS
What's New in 2024
Rocky Mountain National Park is committed to trying new things and being adaptive. Each year that the park has implemented a pilot timed entry permit system, we have learned new ways to make improvements.
There are a few key ways that the 2024 pilot timed entry permit system will be different from past years. These include:
Timed entry permit reservations for most areas of RMNP will be in place through October 14, 2024.
Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road Road permits will continue through October 20, 2024.
40 percent of available timed entry permits are released on Recreation.gov the night before a chosen arrival date. These timed entry permits will be available each day beginning at 7 p.m. MDT.
When Can I Reserve My Timed Entry Permit?
Rocky Mountain National Park's timed entry permits will be released on a first-come, first-served basis on Recreation.gov based on the following schedule:
Release Date
Reservation Dates
May 1 at 8 a.m. MDT
May 24 - June 30
June 1 at 8 a.m. MDT
July 1 - July 31
July 1 at 8 a.m. MDT
August 1 - August 31
August 1 at 8 a.m. MDT
September 1 - September 30
September 1 at 8 a.m. MDT
October 1 - October 20
Additionally, 40 percent of available timed entry permits will be released first-come, first-served on Recreation.gov at 7 p.m. on the night before a desired arrival date, beginning on the evening of May 23.
Which Timed Entry Permit Option is Best for Me?
Need help deciding which timed entry permit option is right for you? Check out the chart below.
NPS
How Do I Make a Reservation for a Timed Entry Permit?
To make a reservation for a timed entry permit, beginning at 8 a.m. on May 1, visit Recreation.gov or by:
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the busiest national parks. Visitor crowding and congestion at RMNP have led to increased negative impacts to visitor and staff safety, resource protection, visitor experience and operational capacity.
The park has piloted various visitor use management strategies, including managing vehicle access in highly congested areas on a first-come, first served basis (2016-2019). These first-come, first-served restrictions had some limited success initially, but over time began to lose effectiveness - the length of time they were necessary kept expanding and impacts were pushed elsewhere.
Rocky Mountain National Park has piloted different park-wide timed entry permit reservation systems (2020-2023) and will be piloting a system again in summer 2024. The park is learning from these different actions to help inform long- range day use visitor access strategies for the future.
It Depends!
What time of day would you like to enter the park?
What areas of the park would you like to visit?
Beginning on May 24 through mid-October, timed entry permit reservations will be required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park during specific hours of the day. There are two different reservation options available to choose from:
Timed Entry permits are great for visitors planning to drive over Trail Ridge Road, visit the Alpine Visitor Center, explore the Kawuneeche Valley, hike at Wild Basin or visit any area of the park located outside of the Bear Lake Road Corridor. Timed Entry Permits are required to enter the park anytime between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. MDT.
Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road permits include access to the Bear Lake Road Corridor, as well as all other areas of the park. Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road permits are required to enter the Bear Lake Road Corridor between the hours of 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. MDT.
Both reservation options allow park visitors to enter Rocky Mountain National Park within two-hour windows of time during the day. Reservation holders must enter the park within their reserved window of time, for example, if your reservation is for the time period of 8 a.m. to 10 a.m, you must enter the park and the Bear Lake Road Corridor within this two-hour time frame.
Only one timed entry permit reservation is required per vehicle (not per person). A visitor may only reserve one timed entry permit during a single day.
When visiting any area of the park located outside of the Bear Lake Road Corridor before 9 a.m. or after 2 p.m., a timed entry permit is not required. If entering the park without a timed entry permit, your vehicle must enter the park passing through the entrance station before 9 a.m. Timed entry permits are required to enter the park between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m..
Plan to arrive early! Wait times to enter the park, even with a timed entry permit, could be 30 minutes or longer.
If you would like to visit destinations located along the Bear Lake Road Corridor and arrive before 5 a.m. or after 6 p.m., a timed entry permit is not required. Remember that you must enter the Bear Lake Road Corridor entrance before 5 a.m. If you arrive at the Bear Lake Road entrance at or after 5 a.m., a Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road permit is required.
To reserve your timed entry permits, visit www.recreation.gov. Reservations can be made beginning at 8 a.m. MDT on May 1, 2024 Timed entry permits are only available through Recreation.gov. They are not available in person at entrance stations or at the park's visitor centers.
To reserve a timed entry permit online, begin by visiting www.recreation.gov. If you have a tablet or smart device, you may also use the Recreation.gov moble app. Search for "Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry."
If you do not already have a Recreation.gov account, users will be asked to create a new account. If you have an existing account, start by signing in to your Recreation.gov account. It is recommended to set up and update your account before making your reservation.
Visitors may also call the Recreation.gov Reservation Line (Toll-Free) at 877-444-6777, the Reservation Line (International) at 606-515-6777, or the TDD Reservation Line at 877-833-6777.
Step 1: Decide which option is best for you: Timed Entry or Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road. When on Recreation.gov, select your desired timed entry option. Step 2: Select your desired date and time of arrival. Step 3: Add the reservation to your cart Step 4: Proceed to check out.
Once your reservation is complete, you will receive an email with your attached reservation confirmation. This is the document you will be required to show a park ranger at the entrance gate.
Remember to print out a copy of this document or take a full screenshot on your phone.
If taking a screenshot, make sure you capture the full reservation confirmation, including the dates and the reservation "QR Code."
If you are planning to access an outlying area of the park during a time of day when permits are required, (like Lily Lake, East Inlet Trailhead, Lumpy Ridge, and more), you must have a printed copy of your permit displayed on your vehicle's dashboard.
There is a $2 Recreation.gov processing fee for each timed entry permit reservation. This will be paid when you complete a reservation on Recreation.gov. Timed entry permits are non-transferable and non-refundable.
A valid park entrance pass is also required to enter the park. There are multiple options available. For all details on park entrance fees, visit https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/fees.htm.
Reservations to enter the park will be available through www.recreation.gov based on the schedule below:
Beginning at 8 a.m. MDT on May 1, reservations will be available to enter the park for the dates of May 24 through June 30.
At 8 a.m. MDT on June 1, reservations will be available for the dates of July 1 - July 31, and any remaining days that have not been reserved for June.
At 8 a.m. MDT on July 1, reservations will be available for the dates of August 1 - August 31, and any remaining days that have not been reserved for July.
At 8 a.m. MDT on August 1, reservations will be available for the dates of September 1 - September 30, and any remaining days in August that have not been reserved.
At 8 a.m. MDT on September 1, reservations will be available for the dates of October 1 - October 20, and any remaining days in September that have not been reserved.
Additional timed entry permits will be released via Recreation.gov the night before a desired arrival date. For instance, if a visitor is planning a trip on June 3 and they did not secure a timed entry permit in advance, additional reservations will be released via Recreation.gov beginning at 7 p.m. MDT on the night of June 2.
Night before timed entry permit reservations are expected to sell out quickly. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead.
Rocky Mountain National Park's timed entry permits are available in 2-hour blocks of time. This means that when you reserve a timed entry permit, a visitor must initially enter the park within the 2-hour window specified under the reserved permit.
Are you planning to visit any destinations located along the Bear Lake Road Corridor? These destinatons include Moraine Park, Sprague Lake, Glacier Gorge, and Bear Lake. If yes, you will need a Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road permit. You must enter through one of the park's main entrances (Fall River, Beaver Meadows, Grand Lake), as well as enter the Bear Lake Road Corridor during your reserved 2-hour window of time.
If you arrive outside of your reserved time frame, you may be notified by a park ranger that you have missed your reservation window and you will be asked to come back after 2 p.m.
Timed Entry permits are available during the following times of day: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road permits are available during the following times of day: 5 a.m. - 7 a.m., 6 a.m. - 8 a.m., 8 a.m. - 10 a.m., 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., 12 p.m. - 2 p.m., 2 p.m. - 4 p.m., 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Yes. There is no length-of-stay requirement. Timed entry permit holders are required to initially enter the park during their reserved 2-hour window of time. Once you enter, you may leave at any time.
Visitors with Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road permits, be advised that if you enter the Bear Lake Road Corridor and then want to exit and return to the Bear Lake Road Corridor later in the day, know that re-entry is only allowed after 2 p.m.
For example, if you enter the Bear Lake Road Corridor using a 7 a.m. - 9 a.m. permit and then want to leave and return later in the day, your party may re-enter the Bear Lake Road Corridor anytime after 2 p.m.
The initial phase allocates approximately 90 percent of the park’s maximum parking capacity which works out to 20,000 visitors per day, or 7,200 vehicles over a 24-hour period. Park staff will monitor and adapt the system accordingly.
No. Timed entry permits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
If you are unable to use your timed entry permit reservation, cancellations may be made up to 24 hours prior to your visit.
No. All timed entry permit reservations are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Yes. During the times of day when they are in effect, a timed entry permit is required to enter ALL areas of Rocky Mountain National Park — including driving over Trail Ridge Road (US Hwy 34) or visiting an outlying area of the park — when arriving by vehicle whether a visitor parks within RMNP or outside of the park boundary.
This includes, but is not exclusive to Lumpy Ridge, Lily Lake, Longs Peak, Wild Basin, East Inlet, and North Inlet.
An entrance pass is also required to enter all areas of RMNP 24-hours a day, seven-days a week. Entrance passes can be purchased in person at the park's entrance stations.
Yes. If you are planning to visit one of the park’s outlying areas (to include, but is not limited to Lily Lake, Lumpy Ridge, Longs Peak, East Inlet, and North Inlet), print and display a copy of your timed entry permit reservation confirmation on your vehicle's dashboard.
Additionally, be prepared to show your timed entry permit reservation to a park ranger if asked.
Yes. Timed entry permits are valid for one-day only. If you are planning to visit the park for multiple days and also plan to enter RMNP during the times of day when they are required (for instance, anytime between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. for most areas of the park), then your party will need to reserve one timed entry permit for each day of your visit.
Alternativly, visitors can enter most areas of RMNP before 9 a.m. or after 2 p.m. without a timed entry permit. To access any destination along the Bear Lake Road Corridor without a Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road permit, visitors can enter Bear Lake Road Corridor before 5 a.m. or after 6 p.m. MDT.
The timed entry permit reservation system allows for some limited last minute reservations. 40 percent of each day's permits will be released via Recreation.gov the evening prior to a desired arrival date beginning at 7 p.m. MDT.
It is best to plan ahead, these night-before reservations will sell out quickly.
All timed entry permit reservations must be made in advance through www.recreation.gov. You can call the Reservation Line (Toll-Free) at (877) 444-6777, the Reservation Line (International) at (606) 515-6777, or the Reservation Line (TDD) (877) 833-6777.
Timed entry permits are not available at park entrance stations, visitor centers, or through RMNP's Information Office.
Many public libraries and hotels/motels also offer free computer or internet access.
No. All timed entry permits are non-transferable. They cannot be gifted or transferred to another person, including parents, children or siblings.
When arriving at the park's entrance station, the person whose name is listed on the timed entry reservation confirmation must be present in the vehicle. The permit holder will be asked to show their reservation confirmation and a valid photo ID.
Questions Related to Camping and Service Reservations
For visitors who have a campground reservation to stay overnight at Aspenglen, Glacier Basin, or Timber Creek Campgrounds, a timed entry permit is included with your campground reservation.
Campers will be able to initially enter the park beginning at 1 p.m. on the first day of their camping reservation, which is also the check-in time for all park campgrounds.
Campers who would like to enter the park earlier in the day will have to enter the park outside of the times of day when timed entry permits are in effect (for example, before 9 a.m. for most areas of the park) or they will need to make a reservation for a timed entry permit.
Campers who have reservations for Glacier Basin and Aspenglen Campgrounds will have access to the Bear Lake Road Corridor as well as all other areas of the park. Park visitors who have reservations to camp at Timber Creek Campground will have access to most areas of the park, excluding the Bear Lake Road Corridor.
Campground reservations are available through www.recreation.gov and they sell out in advance.
There are no same day sales available at RMNP's campgrounds.
When arriving at the park's entrance gate, visitors with campground reservations must show their reservation confirmation to the park ranger at the gate. Campers can show a printed copy of your confirmation or a screenshot on a mobile device. If you take a screen shot, make sure to capture the full reservation confirmation. Partial screenshot images may not be accepted.
Campers should have both their reservation confirmation and a valid photo ID for the reservation holder ready to show a ranger before arriving at the park's entrance station.
Do not expect to open your Recreation.gov account on your mobile device at the park's entrance station, cell service is not reliable at RMNP's entrance stations.
Visitors with wilderness backpacking camping permits will use those permits as their timed entry reservations. You may enter the park on the first day of your wilderness backpacking camping trip.
Entrance fees apply and can be paid at the park's entrance station.
Longs Peak Campground is a first come, first-served and tents-only campground that will open beginning in July. The overnight camping fee for Longs Peak Campground does not include a timed entry permit to enter the park.
Glacier Creek Livery, located inside Rocky Mountain National Park, will be open this summer. Reservations for rides can be booked at Hi Country / Glacier Creek Stables (rockymountainhorserides.com).
Visitors with horseback riding reservations will use your reservation confirmation as your timed entry permit. Reservation holders can enter RMNP and the Bear Lake Road Corridor up to two-hours prior to a scheduled horseback ride.
Questions Related to Shuttles, Transportation, and Parking
No. A timed entry permit guarantees one vehicle access to Rocky Mountain National Park on the specified day and during the specified time listed on your reservation confirmation. A timed entry permit DOES NOT guarantee parking at any specific trailheads or destinations.
If a desired parking area is full, you may have to visit a different area and try to return again at a different time of day. For instance, if Glacer Gorge and Bear Lake Parking Areas are full, you may have to park your vehicle at Park & Ride and ride the park's free shuttle to your desired trailhead.
It Depends! What time of day do you plan to drive over Trail Ridge Road?
If you enter Rocky Mountain National Park prior to 9 a.m. or after 2 p.m., then no, you do not need a timed entry permit.
If you are planning to drive over Trail Ridge Road between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., then yes, you do need a timed entry permit.
When planning to arrive in the morning before 9 a.m., give yourself plenty of time to enter the park. Lines at the park's entrance stations may be 30 minutes or longer. Visitors who do not have a timed entry permit must enter the park through the entrance station prior to 9 a.m. or you will be advised to come back in the afternoon after 2 p.m.
A valid entrance fee or park pass is always required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. This includes when driving over Trail Ridge Road.
Yes. Beginning on May 24, the park's free shuttle buses will be in service for the summer season. These shuttle buses provide daily service to destinations along the Bear Lake Road Corridor through October 20. There are two shuttle routes available:
Bear Lake Shuttle Route
Moraine Park Shuttle Route
Shuttle service is not available to any park destinations located outside of the Bear Lake Road Corridor.
The Hiker Shuttle provides bus service to passengers from the Estes Park Visitor Center, located in the Town of Estes Park, to Rocky Mountain National Park's Park & Ride Transit Hub, located on Bear Lake Road, and back.
Visitors with Hiker Shuttle Ticket reservations will board the Hiker Shuttle at the loading location found outside of the Estes Park Visitor Center. Ask for directions at the Estes Park Visitor Center. Be aware - there are many different local Estes Park shuttles that use this transfer hub. Make sure you are boarding the correct shuttle bus.
The Hiker Shuttle does not pick up or drop-off passengers at any other locations in Estes Park or in Rocky Mountain National Park.
All riders in a party are required to have a Hiker Shuttle Ticket. One reservation for Hiker Shuttle Tickets is $2. This covers up to 4 Hiker Shuttle Tickets in a party. When making your reservation, remember to change the number in your party to reflect the total number of people in your group, including infants and small children.
Parties with more than 4 people will need to reserve multiple Hiker Shuttle Tickets for their group. One Hiker Shuttle Ticket will cover up to 4 people of any age.
Some visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park travel in groups with multiple vehicles, these can include scouting groups, youth groups, family groups, car clubs, hiking clubs, etc.
If entering RMNP during the times of day when timed entry permits are in effect (9 a.m. - 2 p.m. for most areas of the park), then each vehicle entering the park will need a separate timed entry permit reservation to enter the park.
There are two reservation options to choose from: Timed Entry or Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road.
One person may reserve only one timed entry permit per day.
The person who makes a reservation must be traveling inside the vehicle, as either the driver or a passenger.
A driver or passenger in one vehicle cannot be the timed entry permit reservation holder for a separate vehicle.
When entering any area of Rocky Mountain National Park during the times of day when timed entry permits are in effect, all vehicles, including motorcycles, are required to have one timed entry permit reservation per vehicle.
A valid motorcycle entrance fee or park pass is also required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.
This means that if you are traveling with multiple motorcycles in a group, one person on each motorcycle must reserve a timed entry permit for the motorcycle they are riding on. The reservation holder will be asked to show both the reservation confirmation and a valid photo ID to a park ranger at the entrance to RMNP.
The person whose name is on the timed entry reservation confirmation must be present and riding on the motorcycle.
If driving over Trail Ridge Road, motorcycle riders may enter the park before 9 a.m. or after 2 p.m. without a timed entry permit.
To enter the Bear Lake Road Corridor, motorcycle riders need to have a valid Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road permit between the hours of 5 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Visitors who enter the park via bicycle do not need a timed entry permit reservation. However, you will need to pay the appropriate park entrance fees at the park's entrance stations.
Commercial Use Authorizations (CUA), Special Use Permits (SUP), Concessioners and Commercial Tours do not need a timed entry permit reservation for their trips into the park. Their permitted use is already being accounted for in the overall reservation system.
A timed entry permit reservation is required to enter ALL areas of Rocky Mountain National Park during the times when they are in effect, when arriving by vehicle, whether a visitor parks their vehicle within RMNP or outside of the park boundary.
Last updated: May 31, 2024
Park footer
Contact Info
Mailing Address:
1000 US Hwy 36
Estes Park,
CO
80517
Phone:
970 586-1206
The Information Office is open year-round: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily in summer; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mondays - Fridays and 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Saturdays - Sundays in winter.
Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222.
