Planning a Trip to Rocky Mountain National Park During Winter or Spring 2023?
When are you planning to visit Rocky Mountain National Park? If you are planning to visit Rocky anytime before or on May 25, 2023, then you Do Not need a Timed Entry Permit. To enter the park, you just need to purchase or already have a valid park entrance pass.
To learn about park entrance fees and to buy your pass, visit the Rocky Mountain National Park's Fees & Passes webpage.
Planning to visit Rocky Mountain National Park 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?
The reservation permit system is similar to that used in 2022, with two types of reservations available.
Park Access Timed Entry Permits are great for visitors planning to drive over Trail Ridge Road or 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. Park Access Timed Entry Permits are required to enter the park anytime between 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Park Access Plus Timed Entry Permits include access to all destinations located along the Bear Lake Road corridor, as well as all other areas of the 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.
Permits issued using the reservation system will allow park visitors to enter the park within two-hour windows of availability, with no set time for departure. The reservation system will apply to all areas of the park.
There are two different options available to choose from: Park Access or Park Access Plus.
NPS
Reservation Options: Which Timed Entry Permit is Best for You?
Park Access Plus Timed Entry Permits - Includes access to the Bear Lake Road Corridor
How Will the 2023 Reservation System Be Different 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 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. For the "Park Access, Does Not Include Bear Lake Road" Timed Entry Permits, they will be in effect between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. In 2022, these permits were in effect between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Visitors with Bear Lake + 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. MT.
This year, 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. 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 Reservation. Just like last year, park visitors who have 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. Park visitors who have 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 to enter the park will be available through www.recreation.govbeginning 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.
Timed Entry Permits - Frequently Asked Questions
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the busiest national parks, third in the country in 2019 with over 4.6 million visitors. This represents a 42 percent increase in visitation in seven years. In 2021, visits exceeded 4.4 million.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 over the last seven years, including managing vehicle access to first-come, first served (2016-2019) in highly congested areas. 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.
The park piloted different park-wide timed entry permit reservation systems (2020-2022) and will be piloting a system again during 2023. The park is learning from these different actions, to help inform long range day use visitor access strategies.
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 26 through October 22, 2023 Timed Entry Permits will be required to enter the park during specific hours of the day. There are two different Timed Entry Permit options to choose from:
Do you want to visit Bear Lake or other destinations accessed from the Bear Lake Road corridor? One Timed Entry Permit is available for the Bear Lake Road Corridor. This will include the entire Bear Lake Road Corridor (from the Trail Ridge Road junction to the Bear Lake Trailhead) and access to all other areas in Rocky Mountain National Park (for details, please see the park map). This reservation is in effect from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Do you ONLY want to visit areas outside of the Bear Lake Road corridor? This is the majority of the park and includes Trail Ridge Road, Old Fall River Road, and numerous other destinations (see park map for details). If so, a second permit is available. These reservations are required between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Permits issued using the reservation system will allow park visitors to enter the park within two-hour windows of availability. One permit is required per vehicle (not per person).
If you are planning to visit the park for all areas outside of the Bear Lake Road corridor before 9 a.m. or after 2 p.m., a Timed Entry Permit is not required.
If you would like to visit destinations accessed by the Bear Lake Road and arrive before 5 a.m. or after 6 p.m., a Timed Entry Permit is not required.
If you are interested in visiting all areas of the park, you will need a Timed Entry Permit for "Park Access + Bear Lake Road." This permit will cover all areas within the Bear Lake Road corridor, plus all other areas of Rocky Mountain National Park. To book your Timed Entry Permit visit www.recreation.gov.
To make a reservation for a Timed Entry Permit, begin by visiting the website www.recreation.gov. If you have a tablet or smart device, download the Recreation.gov App. Search for "Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry."
If you do not already have a Recreation.gov account, you will need to create a new account. If you have an existing account, remember to sign in.
You can also call the Recreation.gov Reservation Line (Toll-Free) at (877) 444-6777, the Reservation Line (International) at (606) 515-6777, or the Reservation Line (TDD) (877) 833-6777.
Step 1: Decide which of the two Timed Entry Permit options is best for your trip and select that option.
Step 2: Decide on your desired date and time of arrival.
Step 3: Add your reservation to your cart, then check out and make your payment.
Need more help? Visit the Recreation.gov Help Center article (https://bit.ly/3t0EVqE) for more details on purchasing a reservation permit.
Once your reservation is complete, you will receive an email confirmation with your attached Timed Entry Permit Reservation. This is the document you will be required to show a park ranger at the entrance gate. 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 that you make. This will be paid when you book 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 will go on sale through www.recreation.gov beginning at 8 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) on May 1, 2023.
Those reservations will be for May 27 through June 30.
The next release will begin June 1, at 8 a.m. MDT, 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.
Additional Timed Entry Permits will be released via Recreation.gov for purchase at 5 p.m. on the day prior to your desired arrival date. These 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 book a Timed Entry Permit, you must initially enter the park within the 2-hour window specified under your reserved permit.
If you have booked a Bear Lake Road Timed Entry Permit, then you must both enter one of the main entrances to the park and enter the Bear Lake Road corridor within 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 for the Bear Lake Road corridor are available during the following times: 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.
Park Access, does not include Bear Lake Road Timed Entry Permits, are available during the following times: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 12 p.m. to 2 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.
However, for visitors with Bear Lake Road Timed Entry Permits, be advised that if you plan to exit the Bear Lake Road corridor and re-enter later in the day, re-entry within the Bear Lake Road corridor is permitted after 2 p.m. For example, if you enter the park with your permit at 7 a.m. and want to leave at 9 a.m. and plan to come back 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.
If you are unable to use your Timed Entry Permit Reservation, cancellations may be made up to 24 hours prior to your visit. The $2 Recreation.gov processing fee for Timed Entry Permit Reservations is non-refundable.
No. Timed Entry Permits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Yes. During the times of day when they are in effect, a Timed Entry Permit Reservation is required to enter ALL areas of Rocky Mountain National Park — including driving over Trail Ridge Road (US Hwy 34)—when arriving by vehicle whether a visitor parks within the park or outside 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 at go.nps.gov/RockyFees or at park entrance stations. Please keep in mind when purchasing an entrance pass online, you must also have a Timed Entry Permit Reservation per vehicle to visit the park when Timed Entry Permits are in effect.
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), please print and display your Timed Entry Permit Reservation on your dashboard. In addition, please be prepared to show your Timed Entry Permit to a park ranger if asked.
Yes. Timed Entry Permit Reservations are valid for one day only. If you are planning to visit the park during the hours when Timed Entry Permits are in effect, you will need a separate Timed Entry Permit Reservation for each day of your visit.
You can also plan to enter most areas of the park, including the west side of the park and driving over Trail Ridge Road, before 9 a.m. or after 2 p.m. To access any destination along Bear Lake Road, you can also plan to enter the park before 5 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
The Timed Entry Permit Reservation system does allow for some limited last minute reservations. 40 percent of each day's permits will be held and available for purchase the day prior at 5 p.m. mountain daylight time through www.recreation.gov. They go quickly, so plan ahead!
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 the park's Information Office. Many public libraries also have free computer or internet access available.
No. The Timed Entry Permit holder whose name is on the reservation confirmation must be present inside the vehicle. The permit holder will be asked to show their reservation confirmation and a photo ID. One Timed Entry Permit is required per vehicle (not per person).
Timed Entry Permits cannot be gifted or transferred to another person.
Timed Entry Permits - Frequently Asked Questions Related to Camping and Service Reservations
In 2023, 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. 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 Reservation.
Just like last year, park visitors who have 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. Park visitors who have reservations to camp at Timber Creek Campground will have access to 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 at the park’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. This can be a printed copy or a screenshot on their mobile device. If you take a screen shot, make sure to capture the full reservation confirmation including all dates and the "QR Code." Partial screenshot images may not be accepted.
Campers should have their reservation information ready before arriving at the park's entrance gate. Do not expect to open your Recreation.gov account on your mobile device, as cell service is not reliable.
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 trip.
Entrance fees apply and can be paid at the park's entrance station or online at go.rocky.fees.
Longs Peak Campground is a first come, first-served and tents-only campground that will open for camping beginning in July.
Because this campground is a first come, first-served campground, all park visitors camping in this campground will need to pay their camping use fee in addition to a Timed Entry Permit Reservation to visit any areas of the park, or they will need to plan to enter the park outside of the daily reservation windows.
The overnight camping fee for Longs Peak Campground does not include a Timed Entry Permit to enter the park.
To visit destinations inside Rocky Mountain National Park located along the Bear Lake Road Corridor, Timed Entry Permits are required from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
To visit all other areas of Rocky Mountain National Park, excluding access to the Bear Lake Road Corridor, Timed Entry Permits are required from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. This includes Wild Basin, Longs Peak, Lumpy Ridge, and all outlying areas of Rocky Mountain National 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).
The horse ride reservation will act as your Timed Entry Permit and will allow visitors into the park and the Bear Lake Road Corridor up to two hours prior to the scheduled horse ride.
Timed Entry Permits - Frequently Asked Questions Related to Shuttles, Transportation, and Parking
No. Your Timed Entry Permit Reservation guarantees one vehicle access to Rocky Mountain National Park on the specified day and at the reserved time listed on your reservation. Your Timed Entry Permit DOES NOT guarantee parking at your desired trailhead or destination.
If your desired parking area is full, you may have to try again at a different time. For instance, if Glacer Gorge and Bear Lake Parking Areas are full, you may have to drive to Park & Ride and ride the park's free shuttle to your desired trailhead.
No. Your Timed Entry Permit Reservation guarantees one vehicle access to Rocky Mountain National Park on the specified day and at the reserved time listed on your reservation.
Your Timed Entry Permit DOES NOT guarantee parking and access to all destinations. If Alpine Visitor Center and Wild Basin Parking Areas are full, you will have to try again at a different time of day. If parking at your desired destination is full, we recommend going to see a different destination in the park and try again later.
It Depends! What time of day do you plan to drive over Trail Ridge Road?
If you are travelling on Trail Ridge Road prior to 9 a.m. or after 2 p.m. you do not need a Timed Entry Permit.
Give yourself plenty of time to reach an entrance station prior to 9 a.m., as long lines at entrance stations may delay your arrival time. Timed Entry Permit Reservations are not required to visit the rest of the park (excluding access to the Bear Lake Road corridor) before 9 a.m. or after 2 p.m. daily. Park entrance fees still apply.
Yes, Rocky Mountain National Park has two free in-park shuttle bus routes that operate daily from May 27 through October 22:
The Bear Lake Route
The Moraine Park Route
Rocky Mountain National Park also offers shuttle service from the Town of Estes Park to Rocky Mountain National Park's Park & Ride Shuttle Stop. This is call the "Hiker Shuttle."
Reservations are required. For all details, visit the park's Shuttle Bus page.
The Hiker Shuttle provides 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.
Those with Hiker Shuttle Ticket Reservations will board the Hiker Shuttle in front of the Estes Park Visitor Center.
The Hiker Shuttle does not pick up passengers at any other locations in Estes Park or in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Reservations for Hiker Shuttle Tickets are required to ride the Hiker Shuttle bus. All riders in a party are required to have a Hiker Shuttle Ticket. One reservation for Hiker Shuttle Tickets is $2.00 and this covers up to 4 Hiker Shuttle Tickets in a party.
Some visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park travel in groups with multiple vehicles, for example car clubs, scouting groups, and multiple-vehicle family groups.
If entering the park during the times 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.
One person may reserve only one Timed Entry Permit per day. The person who books a reservation must be traveling inside the vehicle, as either the driver or a passenger.
All vehicles, including motorcycles, are required to have one Timed Entry Permit per vehicle when entering the park during the times when they are in effect. This means that if you are traveling with multiple motorcycles in a group, one person on each motorcycle must have a Timed Entry Permit for the motorcycle they are riding on.
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 Timed Entry 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 being accounted for in the overall reservation system and constitutes less than 3 percent of park visitation.
A Timed Entry Permit Reservation is required to enter ALL areas of Rocky Mountain National Park, during the times listed above, when arriving by vehicle whether a visitor parks within the park or outside the park boundary.
NPS
Last updated: March 24, 2023
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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.
