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, 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. MDT.

  • 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.

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.

Remember, 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.

There are two different options available to choose from: Park Access or Park Access Plus.

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.

  • In 2022, these permits were in effect between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• 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.

  • 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.

• 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.

Which Reservation Option is Best for Me?

Click below to learn more about Park Access and Park Access+ Timed Entry Permits

Park Access Timed Entry Permits

Park Access Permits are required to enter most areas of RMNP, excluding the Bear Lake Road Corridor, from 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. MDT

Park Access+ Timed Entry Permits

Park Access+ Timed Entry Permits - Include access to the Bear Lake Road Corridor. They are required between the hours of 5 a.m. and 6 p.m.

NPS

What destinations do you plan to visit when coming to Rocky Mountain National Park?

When Can I Reserve My Timed Entry Permit?

Park Access and Park Access+ Timed Entry Permits will be released first-come, first-served on Recreation.gov based on the following schedule:

Release Date                Reservation Dates                   
May 1 May 26 - June 30
June 1 July 1 - July 31
July 1 August 1 - August 31
August 1 September 1 - September 31
September 1 October 1 - October 22

Additionally, 40% of available Park Access and Park Access+ Timed Entry Permits will be released first-come, first-served on Recreation.gov at 5 p.m. on the night before a desired arrival date, beginning on May 25.

How Do I Make a Reservation for My Timed Entry Permit?

All Park Access and Park Access+ Timed Entry Permit Reservations are available online through Recreation.gov (take time to set up your Recreation.gov account first) or by:

• Using the Recreation.gov mobile app

• Calling the reservation line: 877-444-6777

• Calling the reservation line (International): 606-515-6777

• Calling the reservation line (TDD): 877-833-6777

Timed Entry Permit Reservations are not available in person at park entrance stations or park visitor centers.

Reserve a timed entry permit