Timed Entry

Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry

Planning to visit Rocky Mountain National Park this summer? Beginning on May 23, 2025, a timed entry reservation will be required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park during certain hours of the day. Timed entry reservations spread visitor use out throughout the day and throughout the park.

There will be two different types of reservations available to choose from: Timed Entry and Timed Entry+ Bear Lake Road.  

Timed Entry Reservations (do not include access to Bear Lake Road) provide access to all areas in Rocky Mountain National Park, excluding access to the popular Bear Lake Road Corridor, located on the east side of RMNP. These reservations are best for visitors planning to drive over Trail Ridge Road, visit Alpine Visitor Center, explore the west side of the park, hike at Wild Basin or visit any area of Rocky Mountain National Park located outside of the Bear Lake Road Corridor.  

Timed Entry Reservations will be needed to enter Rocky Mountain National Park between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily from May 23 through Monday, October 13, 2025.  

Both Timed Entry and Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road Reservations allow park visitors to enter Rocky Mountain National Park within designated 2-hour windows of time during the day. Reservation holders must enter the park within their reserved window of time. If you miss your reservation window, you may be asked to turn around and come back later in the day.   

Only one timed entry reservation is required per vehicle, per day (not per person). A visitor may only reserve one timed entry during a single day.   

Timed Entry Reservations can only be made through Recreation.gov. They are not available in person at any RMNP entrance stations or visitor centers.

Need to Know

• Timed Entry Reservations Will be Required to Enter All Areas of Rocky Mountain National Park During Certain Hours of the Day

  Beginning on May 23 through mid-October, a timed entry reservation will be required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park during certain hours of the day. This system will be similar to the system used in 2024. Timed entry reservations apply to all areas of Rocky Mountain National Park. 

  There are two options to choose from: Timed Entry Reservations or Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road Reservations.

• Upon Arrival at Rocky Mountain National Park, Be Prepared to Show Your Reservation Confirmation to a Park Ranger

  Once your timed entry reservation is complete, you will receive an email with your attached reservation confirmation. This is the document you will be required to show to a park ranger upon arrival at the entrance gate. Remember to 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 visit one of the outlying areas of Rocky Mountain National Park, like Lily Lake or East Inlet Trailhead, during a time of day when reservations are required, you must have a printed copy of your reservation confirmation displayed on your vehicle's dashboard. Be prepared to show your reservation to a park ranger if asked.

• You Must Enter Rocky Mountain National Park Within Your Designated 2-Hour Reservation Window

  All timed entry reservations allow park visitors to enter Rocky Mountain National Park within designated 2-hour windows of time. You must enter the park during your designated 2-hour window of time. 

  If you miss your designated entry window, you may be asked by a park ranger to turn around and come back later in the day. 

  Once you enter the park, stay as long as you like. There is no set time for departure. 

  The RMNP timed entry reservation system applies to all areas of Rocky Mountain National Park.  

  If you have a Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road Reservation, you must enter the entrance to RMNP and the entrance to the Bear Lake Road Corridor within your designated 2-hour window of time. 

  If you miss your designated entry window, you will be asked by a park ranger to turn around and come back to Bear Lake Road anytime after 2 p.m.

• A Timed Entry Reservation is Valid for One Vehicle to Enter the Park on a Designated Date

  Timed entry reservations are valid for one day only. A timed entry reservation allows a single vehicle (all vehicle passengers are included) to enter the park during a designated window of time. A party only needs one reservation per vehicle and the reservation holder must be present inside the vehicle. 

• Entrance Fees and Passes

  In addition to a timed entry reservation, all park visitors will need to purchase or show a valid entrance fee or lifetime or annual park pass upon arrival. A valid park entrance fee or park pass is required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Park entrance fees apply to all areas of RMNP. Multiple fee and pass options are available. Park entrance fees can be purchased in person at any RMNP entrance station. 

• With a Timed Entry Reservation, am I Guaranteed a Parking Spot?

  No. A timed entry reservation guarantees one vehicle access to Rocky Mountain National Park on the specified day and during the designated 2-hour window of time listed on your timed entry reservation confirmation. Timed entry reservations Do NOT guarantee parking at any specific trailheads or destinations.

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