To enter the park, you must have a reservation.
To enter between 9am and 2pm, you need a timed entry reservation. You can enter before 5am or after 2pm without a reservation, but expect a long line! You will need one reservation per vehicle. All timed entry reservations allow park visitors to enter RMNP within a designated 2-hour window of time. Once you enter, you can stay as long as you like. There are 2 types of reservations 1. Timed Entry Reservations (do not include access to Bear Lake Road) provide access to all areas in Rocky Mountain National Park, excluding locations within the busy RMNP Bear Lake Road Corridor, located on the east side of the park. Timed Entry Reservations are best for those planning to drive over Trail Ridge Road, visit Alpine Visitor Center, explore the west side of the park, hike at Wild Basin or Lily Lake, or visit any area of Rocky Mountain National Park located outside of the Bear Lake Road Corridor. 2. Timed Entry+ Bear Lake Road Reservations provide access to all destinations located within the RMNP Bear Lake Road Corridor, located on the east side of the park near Beaver Meadows Entrance. These reservations also provide reservation holders with access to all other areas of Rocky Mountain National Park. If you're planning a hike or other activities, make sure to check whether you'll need access to the Bear Lake Road corridor. Also, please consider that you are at altitude and stay hydrated! Estes Park is at 7500' and the Trail Ridge Road in RMNP reaches 12,183'.
Visit https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10086910
Reservations for the month of September will open on August 1, 2026, at 8 a.m. MDT. These will sell out (the Bear Lake Road corridor reservations will go especially fast), so it's best to plan ahead! Additional timed entry reservations will be released on a first-come, first-served basis at 7pm MDT on the night before a desired arrival date. These will sell out quickly, so we recommend making a reservation in advance. Any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to Maddie and Ben!