Timed Entry System Effective June 4

Rocky Mountain National Park press release, June 3, 2020

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the country. To increase Park access while providing the public a reasonable opportunity to comply with health guidelines related to COVID-19, the Park will temporarily implement a timed entry system effective at the beginning of Phase Two on June 4. The Park will cease using this system in later phases of the reopening.

Reservations to enter the Park are available through www.recreation.gov.  Permits issued using the reservation system will allow Park visitors to enter the Park within two-hour windows of availability between 6 a.m. through 5 p.m.  At this time, reservations are not required prior to 6 a.m. or after 5 p.m. 

“We are eager to welcome visitors back to their National Park,” said RMNP Superintendent Darla Sidles. “This system will more safely manage the pace and flow of visitor use, reduce crowding, and provide an improved visitor experience in alignment with the Park’s safe operational capacity.”

During phase two, regular entrance fees apply and each reservation will cost an additional reservation fee of $2.  For those with annual passes, only the $2 fee will apply per reservation. Reservations can be canceled up to 72 hours before your time slot.

Currently, reservations are available to enter the Park from June 4 through July 31. The next release will be on July 1, 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 that have not been booked for August. On September 1, reservations will be available for the month of October and any remaining days in September that have not been booked. Each reservation is per vehicle and applies to all areas accessed by vehicles in RMNP. 

In addition, ten percent of the total available reservations will go on sale two days prior to the requested date and will be available up to the timed entry window they are for, provided they have not been sold out. Visitors with campground reservations and wilderness camping permits will use those permits as their timed-entry reservations; entrance fees still apply and can be paid at the entrance station. 

“This process will facilitate advance payment of entrance fees, minimize contact between park entrance station staff and visitors and limit congestion in parking lots. The permit system will apply to all areas of the park,” RMNP stated.   
 
​Additional frequently asked questions on the timed entry permit system can be found at: https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/fees.htm

For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park visit www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206. For a recorded status line on Trail Ridge Road please call (970) 586-1222.

---