RMNP - Overview of Timed Entry Permit Reservations

Timed Entry Permit Reservations

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Information, Parking - Auto

Planning to visit Rocky from May 26 through October 22, 2023?

 

Rocky Mountain National Park will implement another pilot temporary timed entry permit reservation system.

What will the 2023 Timed Entry Permit System look like?

All vehicles will need two things:

• A Timed Entry Permit Reservation - there are two options to choose from: a Park Access or Park Access+ Timed Entry Permit
• and a park entrance pass (including a 1-day or 7-day Vehicle Pass or an America the Beautiful Interagency Annual, Senior, Access, Military, or 4th Grade Pass)

Park Access Timed Entry Permits are great for visitors planning to drive over Trail Ridge Road, visit the Alpine Visitor Center, explore the west side of the park, hike at Wild Basin or visit any area of the park located outside of the Bear Lake Road Corridor.

• Park Access Timed Entry Permits are required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. MDT. After entering the park with your Park Access Timed Entry Permit, visitors may exit and re-enter the park at any time between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• With a Park Access Timed Entry Permit, access to the Bear Lake Road Corridor is excluded.

Park Access+ Timed Entry Permits include access to destinations located along the Bear Lake Road Corridor, as well as all other areas of Rocky Mountain National Park. These timed entry permits are required to enter the Bear Lake Road Corridor between the hours of 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. MDT.

• Visitors with Park Access+ Timed Entry Permits who enter the Bear Lake Road corridor and who want to exit and return later in the day, may re-enter the Bear Lake Road Corridor anytime after 2 p.m.

During the specific times of day when reservations are required, a Park Access or Park Access+ Timed Entry Permit Reservation is needed to visit all areas of the park, including Lily Lake, Wild Basin, Lumpy Ridge, Longs Peak, and all outlying areas.

Timed entry permit reservations allow park visitors to enter the park within specific two-hour windows of time, for example from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Once visitors enter the park within their reservation window, they may stay as long as desired. There is no set time for departure. 

Only one Timed Entry Permit is required per vehicle (not per person)

• If there are multiple people traveling to the park in one vehicle, one Timed Entry Permit will cover everyone traveling in the vehicle.

One person may reserve only one timed entry permit per day

• You may reserve either a Park Access or Park Access+ Timed Entry Permit.
• Take time to decide which reservation option is best for your visit!

 

How will the 2023 timed entry reservation system differ from previous years?

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 2023 pilot timed entry permit reservation system will be different from past years. These include:

• The pilot timed entry permit system will be extended through October 22, 2023.
• The park is reducing the time period and number of hours daily that reservations are in effect for most areas of RMNP. Park Access Timed Entry Permits will be in effect between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. MDT.
• Visitors with Park Access+ Timed Entry Permits who enter the Bear Lake Road corridor and who want to exit and return later in the day, may re-enter the Bear Lake Road Corridor anytime after 2 p.m.
• 40 percent of all reservations will be released via Recreation.gov on the day prior to a desired arrival date at 5 p.m. MDT.
• Campers at Aspenglen, Glacier Basin, and Timber Creek Campgrounds 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. Moraine Park Campground will be closed summer 2023.
  • Campers who plan to enter the park earlier in the day will have to enter the park outside of the times when timed entry permits are in effect (for example, before 9 a.m. for most areas of the park) or reserve a timed entry permit.
  • Campers with reservations to camp at Glacier Basin and Aspenglen Campgrounds will have access to the Bear Lake Road Corridor as well as all other areas of the park.
  • Campers with reservations to camp at Timber Creek Campground will have access to areas of the park, excluding the Bear Lake Road Corridor.
• Timed entry permit reservations will be released through www.recreation.gov beginning at 8 a.m. MDT on Monday, May 1. 
  • On May 1, timed entry permits will be released for the dates of May 26 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 August 1, reservations will be available for the month of September and any remaining days in August that have not been booked.

  • On September 1, reservations will be available for October and any remaining days in September that have not been booked.

Which Reservation Option is Best for You?

Park Access Timed Entry Permits:

• Include access to most areas of the park, including outlying areas, excluding the Bear Lake Road Corridor.
• Reservations are required between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• Re-entry to the park is allowed with a valid Park Access Timed Entry Permit anytime between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Park Access+ Timed Entry Permits:

• Include access to the Bear Lake Road Corridor, as well as the rest of the park.
• Reservations are required to enter the Bear Lake Road Corridor between the hours of 5 a.m. and 6 p.m.
• Re-entry to the Bear Lake Road Corridor is allowed for Park Access+ Timed Entry permit holders after 2 p.m.  

To reserve a timed entry permit, visit Recreation.gov.

Park Access and Park Access+ Timed Entry Permits are only available through Recreation.gov. They are not available in person at the park's entrance stations or visitor centers. To make a reservation for a timed entry permit, click on the following website link www.recreation.gov or use the Recreation.gov mobile App.

A valid park entrance pass is also requried to enter Rocky Mountain National Park. Entrance passes may be purchased in person at the park's entrance gate or in advance through Recreation.gov at https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74291