Are you wondering, “Do you need a reservation for Rocky Mountain National Park?”
Rocky Mountain National Park has incredible scenery, gorgeous lakes and waterfalls and dozens of incredible hiking trails. As a result, it gets very crowded in the summer, especially at peak times. Parking lots fill up soon after day break, the shuttle used to get around the park gets overcrowded, and the road was often congested.
In order to alleviate this overcrowding and congestion, the National Park Service introduced a timed entry system to get into the park. This will apply in 2024.
The Rocky Mountain National Park reservations system can be a little complicated. I am a national park expert and I’ve written this detailed guide to the Rocky Mountain National Park timed entry system *** updated for 2024 *** to make your planning easier and help ensure you can get to the park and enjoy all it has to offer.
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Guide to Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry
Type of entry tickets/ Rocky Mountain National Park reservations
Tickets will be issued for timed entry to the national park as a day visitor. You will not to be able to enter Rocky Mountain National Park for the day unless you have a reservation. When you make your reservation, it will be for a two-hour period and you will need to enter the national park in this two-hour window of time.
If you plan to visit the national park for multiple days, you’ll need to get a timed entry reservation for EACH day of your trip.
There are two types of timed entry reservations available:
1) Access to the whole of the park, including the main Bear Lake Road corridor, between 5:00am and 6:00pm. The Rocky Mountain National Park reservations periods are:
- 5:00 am – 7:00 am
- 7:00 am – 9:00 am
- 9:00 am – 11:00 am
- 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
- 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
- 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
- 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Note that there is an overlap in the reservation times between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm, so the park will most likely be more crowded then.
2) Access to the rest of of the park, excluding the main Bear Lake Road corridor, between 9:00am and 2:00pm. The Rocky Mountain National Park entry reservations periods are:
- 9:00 am – 11:00 am
- 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
- 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
NOTE: Once you’ve entered the national park in your timeslot, you can leave and re-enter on the same day on the same ticket.
Period reservations are needed for
The timed Rocky Mountain National Park reservation system will be in place between May 24 and October 20, 2024 for the Bear lake Road Corridor.
The timed Rocky Mountain National Park reservation system will be in place between May 24 and October 15, 2024 for the rest of the park.
How to get entry tickets/ make reservations
The tickets will be released in two different allotments:
1) 60% of the tickets will be available for purchase at 8:00 am Mountain Time approximately one month in advance as follows:
- May 1 for arrivals between May 24 and June 30
- June 1 for arrivals between July 1 and July 31
- July 1 for arrivals between August 1 and August 31
- August 1 for arrivals between September 1 and September 30
- September 1 for arrivals between October 1 and October 20 Bear Lake Road Corridor) and October 15 (rest of the park)
2) 40% of the tickets are released at 7:00 pm Mountain Time the day before arrival.
Entry tickets are only available online at the NPS reservation system or by calling:
- Reservation Line: 877-444-6777
- Reservation International: 606-515-6777
- Reservation Line (TDD) 877-833-6777
They will not be available at park entrance stations, visitor centers or park offices.
Cost of tickets/ reservations
Rocky Mountain National Park tickets cost $2 per vehicle (and all its occupants) and are valid only for the two-hour window on your your ticket. You must arrive within this time period.
Note that this $2 is in addition to the park entrance fee and is not included in the national park fee.
You can cancel your timed entry reservation up to 24 hours prior to your planned visit.
You can purchase an entrance pass for the park at the same time you book your time slot, which should help make entrance into the park quicker.
When is it not necessary to make a reservation for Rocky Mountain National Park this summer?
This reservation (and fee) is not required in the following circumstances:
1) You have a reservation for a campground inside the park, a wilderness camping permit or book a horse ride with Glacier Creek Stables. You will be able to enter the park on the first day of your camping reservation.
You will need to show proof of a reservation or permit in lieu of your entry ticket and you must have a camping permit or reservation in advance. There will be no same-day sales at the park’s campgrounds.
2) You ride a bicycle into the park. The entry ticket is only required for automobiles, not bicycles. However, if you park just outside the park boundary and hike into the park, you DO need a timed entry ticket!
3) You enter the park outside the ticketed hours. The timed entry ticket is only required for entry into the park between 5:00am and 6:00pm (Bear Lake corridor) and 9:00am and 2:00pm (the rest of the park).
Tips For Getting Timed Entry Tickets for Rocky Mountain National Park
Read my post about which national parks require reservations for some insider tips on making reservations (and the low down on the other national parks that also require some form of reservations this summer).
Make sure you save your email confirmation so you can show it at the Entrance Gate (print it out, save it as a screenshot or download it).
Good luck and enjoy Rocky Mountain National Park!
Read More: Best airports near Rocky Mountain National Park
Here is a simple summary of the steps to take to maximize your chances of getting a reservation for the national parks. You’re welcome to share this image on your site using this code and attribution:
Do you have any other tips for getting timed entry tickets for Rocky Mountain National Park? I’d love to hear them. Join my private Facebook group National Parks Collectors and comment and let me know.
Subscribe to daily national parks planning tips, travel inspiration and trip ideas and get instant access to the free PDF of this
Guide to Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry
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If you are thinking about traveling to some other national parks, don’t miss my guides to:
Which national parks require reservations
Angel’s Landing permits lottery system
Glacier National Park’s Going to The Sun Road in reservation system
Yosemite National Park day use reservations
Acadia Cadillac Mountain reservation system
Arches National Park timed entry system
Are you just starting to think about taking a national parks trip? Get Inspiration
Are you starting to plan a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park? Read my Guide to Rocky Mountain National Park
Are you looking for a place to stay near Rocky Mountain National Park? Find a vacation rental near Estes Park or Find a great cabin near Rocky Mountain National Park
Are you ready to book your trip? Use these Planning and Booking Resources
About the Author
James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.
He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and most of the national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks.
Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for most of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, comprehensive camping and hiking gear reviews and buying guides, and helpful packing lists and gift guides will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.
As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including USA Today, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.