As a response to overcrowding at Rocky Mountain National Park, a timed entry system was introduced in 2022. Rocky Mountain National Park is not the only national park using this system. Arches National Park, Glacier National Park, and Yosemite National Park have all used the timed entry system. Other parks such as Shenandoah National Park and Zion National Parks have introduced reservation systems for specific hikes.
This post is going to specifically focus on the Rocky Mountain National Park timed entry system. This was the reservation system I used first. Since my trip to Colorado in 2022, I’ve used a handful of other reservation systems and every one has worked similar.
Why Create a Reservation System?
With the Covid pandemic, US National Parks saw a huge spike in attendance and it became very difficult to manage the crowds. In late 2021, rangers turned visitors away. The parks were just too full. So a timed entry system was formed to help ease up on congestion and prevent overcrowding.
Reactions to the Rocky Mountain National Park timed entry system have been mixed. I’ll be the first to admit that the reservation system is annoying. I hated that I had to plan well in advance when I would enter the park. I was on a road trip and wanted to be on my own time.
At the same time, I understood the potential why national parks were experimenting. I experienced a very busy Zion National Park in late 2021 and Joshua Tree National Park on a free entry day. Spending time constantly on the hunt for parking and dodging people on trail is not fun.
I had never visited Rocky Mountain National Park before the timed entry system was in place. But, I can tell you that I do believe it helped during my visit.
I visited Rocky Mountain National Park for three days on the second weekend of September in 2022. During this time, I had no issues finding parking. The only time the park felt crowded was when I stopped at a visitor center. So while it was annoying to make the reservation, I do believe it helped to have a more enjoyable experience.
Note that the reservation does not replace the park entrance fee. You will need to pay for both the park entrance fee AND the reservation fee. However, you do not need to pay these fees at the same time. You will make your Rocky Mountain National Park timed entry reservation in advance and will pay your park entrance fee when you arrive at the park.
Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry
Timed entries at Rocky Mountain National Park are required from late may to late October (the exact dates vary by year).
Rocky Mountain National Park has two different reservation options. To make this a bit more confusing, these two options have been renamed since they were first introduced. So if you read old blog posts, you may see different names. However, the reservations will still function exactly the same.
Option 1 includes the Bear Lake Corridor and is now referred to as Park Access+ Timed Entry Permits Including Bear Lake Road. Option 2 excludes the Bear Lake Corridor and is now referred to as Park Access Timed Entry Permits. Both options cost $2 per vehicle.
Option 1 – Including Bear Lake
Option 1 is definitely the most popular option because this is where you’ll find some of the most popular day hikes. You’ll find Bear Lake, Sky Pond, Alberta Falls, Lake Haiyaha, and so many more. Because of it’s popularity, Bear Lake has timed entry for most of the day. Here are the time slots:
5:00am to 7:00am
6:00am to 8:00am
8:00am to 10:00am
10:00am to 12:00pm
12:00pm to 2:00pm
2:00pm to 4:00pm
4:00pm to 6:00pm
Learn more and purchase reservations for Park Access+ Timed Entry Permits Including Bear Lake Road.
Option 2 – Excluding Bear Lake
Option 2 excludes Bear Lake Road, meaning you can go anywhere in the park with your reservation except Bear Lake Road. If you plan on just driving Trail Ridge Road, Option 2 is all you will need. There are significantly fewer timed entry slots for Option 2:
9:00am to 11:00am
11:00am to 1:00pm
1:00pm to 3:00pm
Learn more and purchase reservations for Park Access Timed Entry Permits.
Additional Notes
While it seems like there are fewer reservations for Option 2, I found Option 2 much easier to get. The reservations for Option 2 did not sell out as quickly as Option 1.
These reservations only guarantee you entry into the park. They will not guarantee you parking at any lot or trailhead.
If you plan to enter the park outside of the reservation windows (before 5:00 am or after 6:00 pm for Option 1 – Bear Lake Road, or before 9:00 am or after 3:00 pm for Option 2 – Excluding Bear Lake Road), you do not need a timed entry reservation. However, once you leave, you will not be permitted to re-enter without a reservation.
How to Make a Timed Entry Reservation
Make your Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry Reservation online, in advance through the recreation.gov.
Entries for the entire month open at 10:00 am MDT on the first day of the previous month.
Timed Entries for May – May 1st at 10:00 am MDT
Timed Entries for June – May 1st at 10:00 am MDT
Timed Entries for July – June 1st at 10:00 am MDT
Timed Entries for August – July 1st at 10:00 am MDT
Timed Entries for September – August 1st at 10:00 am MDT
Timed Entries for October – September 1st at 10:00 am MDT
Mark this date in your calendar and set a reminder. You will want to be ready as soon as those tickets go on sale. In fact, it’s a good idea to make sure you have an account (and are logged in) before the tickets go on sale. This will help things go smoother when you purchase your tickets.
As soon as 10:00 am MDT hits, the tickets start disappearing. If you want to enter the park during peak hours, you need to be online and ready to make a Rocky Mountain National Park timed entry reservation.
I booked a reservation for Option 1 – Bear Lake Road immediately when it sent on sale. As I refreshed the page and watched the tickets disappear, I made an impulsive decision. I bought another reservation for the following day. The Option 1 – Bear Lake Road entries sold out in 10 minutes – at least for the two days I was visiting.
Aside from those two timed entries, I also made a reservation for Option 2 (excluding Bear Lake Road). I made this reservation a full 13 days after reservations went on sale. In this instance, I had no problem getting the time I wanted (entry for 11:00 am to 1:00 pm). But this is not a guarantee. As soon as reservations are open and you know that you will be visiting, purchase a Rocky Mountain National Park timed entry.
Option 1 – Bear Lake Road sells out a lot quicker than Option 2 – Excluding Bear Lake Road. So if you don’t have plans to visit Bear Lake Road, you have more flexibility. If you plan on entering in the afternoon, you’ll likely have better luck as well.
What If You Didn’t Get a Timed Entry?
If you didn’t get a Rocky Mountain National Park timed entry, you still have options!
Each time slot only releases some of the timed entries the month prior. Every night at 5:00 pm MDT, the park releases the remaining reservation slots for the next day. While I’ve never had to purchase these, it is my understanding that these tickets sell incredibly fast. Many visitors are not aware that they needed to make these reservations a month in advance. So, they are trying to get them when they are already at Rocky Mountain National Park.
If you weren’t lucky enough to pick up a reservation the night before, you can still enter the park. You can enter Rocky Mountain National Park (excluding Bear Lake Road) without a timed entry reservation before 9:00 am and after 3:00 pm. You can enter Bear Lake Road before 5:00 am and after 6:00 pm without a reservation.
One important note, though. If you enter the park outside of the reservation window, you will not be permitted to re-enter unless you have a reservation. Signs posted at the entrances will remind you.
Entering Rocky Mountain National Park
With a Timed Entry Reservation
You will need to have your Rocky Mountain National Park timed entry reservation ready when you enter, either on your phone or printed out. If you have the reservation on your phone, make sure you can access it without data. Cell phone coverage in the park is very spotty.
When you get to the park, present your reservation along with your payment for entering the park. If you are entering the park in the early morning hours, there may not be anyone checking your park pass. However, at Bear Lake Road, even at 5:00 am, staff is stationed. They will check for reservations so you won’t be able to just sneak in!
At Bear Lake Road, you will receive a sticker for your car. This sticker allows you to leave and enter the Bear Lake Corridor throughout the day. Note that I only received a sticker at Bear Lake Road, not when I used my Option 2 – Excluding Bear Lake reservation.
Without a Timed Entry Reservation
I saw a few people try this. As I drove toward Grand Lake to enter Rocky Mountain National Park, I followed a bright yellow sports car. Since I was a little early, I pulled off in Grand Lake to fill up with gas and apply sunscreen. At exactly 11:00, I pulled up to the entrance station. On the other side of the road, facing the direction we had just driven, I saw that same yellow sports car. It was obvious that they did not know that they needed a reservation. Now, they had to come up with a plan B.
When I stopped at the Visitor Center (outside the park) on my last day, I passed a group of three people. One said “Well, we’ll just drive up and see what happens”. It was a clear they didn’t have a reservation either. I wanted to tell them to not even bother. Rangers will be checking reservations before allowing you to enter the park. If you don’t have a reservation, park officials will not allow you to enter.
Know the rules and make your reservation. It’s a pain, especially when you are road tripping and don’t know exactly when you’ll be entering the park. However, you’ll still need to take your best guess. The reservation is essential to your visit to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Final Thoughts
As long as you plan ahead, you’ll be fine. And if you missed buying timed entry reservations for Rocky Mountain National Park, know that you still have some options. Although, many of those options aren’t the most ideal.
Continue Your Adventure
Rocky Mountain National Park: For non-hikers, check out my guide to Rocky Mountain National Park With Minimal Hiking. For avid hikers, check out my advice for hiking to Sky Pond.
Colorado National Parks: Colorado has four national parks. Besides Rocky Mountain, you’ll also find Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Parks.
More in Colorado: One of the best things about Colorado is its plethora of scenic drives. Check out my list of favorites.
Colorado Itineraries: For an epic road trip through Colorado, check out this 10 day itinerary. Or if you don’t have ten days, try one of these 5 day Colorado itineraries.