Rocky Mountain National Park will be implementing a new pilot temporary timed entry permit reservation system beginning on May 28, 2021.Park staff are managing for significant increases in visitation to public lands in Colorado, including Rocky Mountain National Park, along with continued Covid-19 concerns, ongoing park seasonal staff shared housing challenges, reduced shuttle bus capacity and residual fire impacts in some areas of the park from historic fires in 2020.
There will be two types of reservations available. One permit will be for the Bear Lake Road Corridor, which will include the entire corridor and access to the rest of the park. This reservation period will be from 5 am to 6 pm. The second permit will be for the rest of Rocky Mountain National Park, excluding the Bear Lake Road corridor. This reservation period will be from 9 am to 3 pm. Permits issued using the reservation system will allow park visitors to enter the park within two-hour windows of availability. The reservation system will apply to all areas of the park.
Reservations to enter the park will go on sale through www.recreation.gov at 8 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time on Saturday, May 1. Reservations will be available to enter the park from May 28 through June 30. The next release will be on June 1, for the month of July and any remaining days that have not been booked for June. On July 1, reservations will be available 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 in August that have not been booked. On September 1, reservations will be available for October and any remaining days in September that have not been booked. Initially, 25 percent of permits will be held and available for purchase the day prior at 5 p.m. through recreation.gov. These are expected to sell out quickly and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead when possible.
This year’s pilot reservation system allows for a greater number of reservations per day. Reservations will be based on approximately 75 percent to 85 percent of the park’s total parking capacity. Last year’s system was based on approximately 60 percent of the park’s total parking capacity. This system spreads use throughout the park to better utilize all parking/trailhead areas. This system will be adaptable to changes in visitation trends and public health concerns.
Last year, after being closed for two months amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Rocky Mountain National Park reopened in late May and was the first national park in the country to implement a temporary timed entry permit system to increase park access while providing the public a reasonable opportunity to comply with health guidelines. That timed entry permit system ended on October 12, 2020.
Bear Lake Corridor
Bear Lake Road Corridor plus full park access, which will include the entire Bear Lake Road Corridor (from the junction of Trail Ridge Road to the Bear Lake Trailhead) and access to the rest of the park. This reservation period will be from 5 am to 6 pm. Visitors will have access to the area but are not guaranteed parking at a specific lot and should plan to adjust their destination as needed or use the park's shuttle system to access their desired trailhead. Visitor will need to enter both the park and the Bear Lake Road Corridor during their reservation window. Park entrance fees will be collected when entering the park. The reservation system will apply to all areas of the park.
Park Access (Excludes Bear Lake Rd Corridor)
This permit will be for the rest of Rocky Mountain National Park, excluding the Bear Lake Road corridor. It will include/apply to all the park’s outlying areas such as; Lily Lake, Lumpy Ridge, Longs Peak, Wild Basin and East Inlet. The reservation period is between 9am and 3pm and visitor will need to enter during the two-hour reservation period. Visitors will have access to the area but are not guaranteed parking at a specific lot and should plan to adjust their destination as needed or use the park's shuttle system to access their desired trailhead.
SHUTTLE INFORMATION:
BEAR LAKE ROUTE
- Dates
- Daily service: May 27 to October 18 (15 passenger limit due to COVID-19)
- Schedule
- Every 10–15 minutes from 7 am to 7:30 pm
- Route:
- Makes stops at
- Park & Ride
- Bierstadt Lake Trailhead
- Glacier Gorge Trailhead
- Bear Lake
- Makes stops at
MORAINE PARK ROUTE
- Dates
- Daily service: May 27 to October 18 (15 passenger limit due to COVID-19)
- Schedule
- Every 30 minutes from 7 am to 7:30 pm
- Route:
- Makes stops at
- Park & Ride
- Sprague Lake/Glacier Creek Stables
- Hollowell Park
- Tuxedo Park
- Moraine Park Campground (C Loop)
- Cub Lake Trailhead
- Fern Lake Bus Stop
- Makes stops at
Details and updates on park operations and services will continue to be posted on the park’s official website at www.nps.gov/romo through social media @RockyNPS or call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206.