Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry
Planning a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park? Timed entry reservations are not needed to enter Rocky Mountain National Park during the winter and spring seasons. To enter Rocky Mountain National Park, purchase (or show) your valid park entrance pass at any of the park's entrance stations. Click here to visit RMNP's Fees & Passes webpage .
What are Timed Entry Reservations and When Will They be Needed?
In 2025, Rocky Mountain National Park will implement a timed entry reservation system beginning on May 23, 2025. This reservation system provides for day use visitor access in a way that protects resources while creating opportunities for high-quality visitor experienes. The system, established through the Day Use Visitor Access Plan finalized in May 2024, manages day use visitor access in a way that protects the park's resources, maintains positive visitor experiences, promotes safety, and supports the park’s ability to maintain daily operations. The system will be similar to 2024, with two types of reservations available.
- One reservaton option, titled "Timed Entry+ Bear Lake Road" will provide access to destinations located within the park's the Bear Lake Road Corridor. A "Timed Entry+ Bear Lake Road" reservation includes access to all areas within the Bear Lake Road corridor, as well as access to all other areas of Rocky Mountain National Park. This reservation period will be from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Another reservation option, titled "Timed Entry" will provide access to areas within the "rest of the park." This reservation option does not include access to the Bear Lake Road Corridor. This reservation period will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Timed entry reservations allow park visitors to enter Rocky Mountain National Park within two-hour windows of availability, with no set time for departure. The reservation system will apply to all areas of the park. The only cost associated with booking a reservation is a $2 recreation.gov processing fee.
The Bear Lake Road Corridor timed entry reservation system will end on Monday, Oct. 20. However, the rest of the park reservation system will end on Tuesday, Oct. 14.
Timed Entry Reservations will be Available to Reserve Through www.recreation.gov Following the Schedule Below:
- Beginning at 8 a.m. MT on Thursday, May 1. This round of reservations will be available to enter the park from May 23 through June 30.
- The next release will occur on June 1, for the month of July and any remaining days that have not been booked for June.
- On July 1, reservations will be available for the month of August and any remaining days that have not been booked for July.
- On Aug. 1, reservations will be available for the month of September and any remaining days in August that have not been booked.
- On Sept. 1, reservations will be available for October and any remaining days in September that have not been booked.
When planning to visit Rocky Mountain National Park, take time to consider your preparedness, skills, fitness and experience. No matter how you choose to recreate, be prepared to turn back when conditions change or if you are being pushed to your limits. Weather and conditions can change quickly in the Rockies. Before starting any trip, take time to explore the park's website and plan ahead for a safer and more enjoyable visit.
RMNP is one of the most visited national parks. The park experienced a 44 percent increase in visitation from 2012 to 2019. In 2022, the park received 4.3 million visits. Even with a pilot vehicle reservation timed entry system in place, the park received some of the highest visitation in its history.
Between 2016 and 2023, the park piloted several day-use visitor management strategies to address crowding, congestion, and impacts on park resources. These pilots demonstrated this strategy is effective at easing congestion impacts and improved the visitor experience in the park. The park also asked the public for their participation in envisioning the future of day use visitor access at RMNP during the summer of 2021 and the winter of 2022-2023.
Need to Know
- When Are Timed Entry Reservations Required?
During Summer 2025, Rocky Mountain National Park will implement a timed entry reservation system beginning on May 23, 2025.
- What Types of Timed Entry Reservations Are Available?
This reservation system provides for day use visitor access in a way that protects resources while creating opportunities for high-quality visitor experienes.
- One reservaton option is titled "Timed Entry+ Bear Lake Road." This reservation provides access to RMNP's Bear Lake Road Corridor (located on the east side of the park). Visitors with a "Timed Entry+ Bear Lake Road" reservation have access to destinations like Moraine Park, Sprague Lake, Glacier Gorge Trailhead, and Bear Lake. Visitors also have access to all other areas of Rocky Mountain National Park. Timed Entry+ Bear Lake Road reservations will be available within 2-hour blocks of time between the hours of 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Another reservation option is titled "Timed Entry." This reservation option provides access to most areas of Rocky Mountain National Park, excluding access to the Bear Lake Road corridor, like driving over Trail Ridge Road or taking a scenic drive on Old Fall River Road, visiting destinations on the west side of RMNP, Wild Basin, and more! Timed Entry reservations will be availble within 2-hour blocks of time between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- I'm Planning a Trip to RMNP in Summer 2025. When Can I Make a Timed Entry Reservation?
Timed entry reservations will be available through www.recreation.gov based on the schedule below:
- Beginning at 8 a.m. MT on Thursday, May 1. This round of reservations will be available to enter the park from May 23 through June 30.
- The next release will occur on June 1, for the month of July and any remaining days that have not been booked for June.
- On July 1, reservations will be available for the month of August and any remaining days that have not been booked for July.
- On Aug. 1, reservations will be available for the month of September and any remaining days in August that have not been booked.
- On Sept. 1, reservations will be available for October and any remaining days in September that have not been booked.
- Entrance Fees
A valid entrance fee or park pass is always required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Park entrance fees can be purchased in person at any of the park's entrance stations.
Booking Windows
Timed Entry reservations were required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park between May 24th and October 20. As of October 21, 2024, a timed entry reservation is no longer needed to enter the park.
Changes and Cancellations
Timed Entry reservations are non-refundable and non-transferable. If you are unable to use your Timed Entry or Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road reservation, cancellations may be made up to 24 hours prior to your visit.
Timed Entry reservations can only be made via Recreation.gov. They are not available in person at RMNP's visitor centers or entrance stations.
In addition to a Timed Entry reservation, park entrance fees or a valid park pass are required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Park entrance fees can be purchased in person upon arrival at the park's entrance station.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
1000 HWY 36 Estes Park CO 80517
Phone Number
(970) 586-1206 (HOURS: 8A.M. - 4 P.M. MDT ON WEEKDAYS AND 8 A.M. - 12 P.M. MDT WEEKENDS)
