Rocky’s Reservation System

In order to protect the park and create a better experience for guests, Rocky Mountain National Park has a reservation system from May 24 to Oct. 14 (Oct 20 for Bear Lake Corridor), 2024.

This means you will have to plan ahead and make your reservations to visit Rocky in advance, or go into the park before or after the reservation times. However, fewer people in the popular areas means a better experience for you and lighter traffic on the trails.

Another option is to take a guided trip with one of our outfitters.

Tips on the Reservation System

Set up an account on Recreation.gov before your trip. 

You cannot get a reservation at the entrance gate or any visitor center.

There are last minute tickets available the night before at 7pm.

Have your reservation pulled up on your phone, or printed copy ready for the gate attendant.

Further details are found at NPS.gov/ROMO/PlanYourVisit/Timed-Entry-Permit-System.htm. Timed-entry tickets will not be sold at the entrance station.

Entry windows last two hours

If you have a 9am reservation, you have to enter between 9-11am. If you don’t, you will lose your reservation.

Once you are in the park, you can stay as long as you like.

If you have a Timed Entry+ permit, you may exit the park and return later in the day. You can re-enter the Bear Lake Road corridor any time after 2pm the same day.

For Rest of the Park, you may leave the park and re-enter as often as you want, the same day.

Planning Your Day in the Park

• There are no filling or charging stations in the park. Always head into the park with a full tank of fuel or fully charged. 
• The only place to buy food or refill water bottles is at the Alpine Visitor Center. The Center is not always open so don’t plan on that as your only option for food or water.
• There are restrooms (vault toilets) located at most parking lots and trailheads.
   

Frequently Asked Questions During the Reservation Times

• If you want to drive through the park on Trail Ridge Road, you still need a timed-entry permit between 9am-2pm during the reservation months.
• If you want to hike to Gem Lake, Lily Lake, Lumpy Ridge, or on the Longs Peak trail you still need a timed-entry permit. Rangers are on duty to check.
• If you are planning to visit the park multiple days during the reservation period, you need a timed-entry permit for each day you plan to visit.
• There is an entrance fee in addition to your timed-entry permit. All passes can be purchased at a staffed park entrance station, or online before you arrive at the park at Recreation.gov.
• Lines to enter the park can be long before and after the timed-entry permits start or end each day. Be prepared and plan accordingly.
• Only one timed-entry permit per visitor per day. No need to reserve multiple permits for one day.
• Timed-entry permits are for a vehicle (15 passenger or less), not for each person in the car.
• A motorcycle is considered a vehicle.
• Bicyclists do not need a reservation. You do need a park pass.
   

Hiker Shuttle

The Hiker Shuttle provides service from the Estes Park Visitor Center, located in town, to Rocky’s Park & Ride Transit Hub, located on Bear Lake Road. 

Tickets are $2. One ticket/reservation will cover up to 4 people. You will not need a timed-entry permit when riding the Hiker Shuttle, but you will need to make a reservation for the shuttle.

Passengers may then transfer to the park’s free in-park shuttles. These include the Moraine Park Route and the Bear Lake Route to reach trailhead destinations located along the Bear Lake Road Corridor, including Bear Lake, Glacier Gorge, and Moraine Park.

Reservations are required to ride the Hiker Shuttle. Visit Recreation.gov and search for Rocky Mountain National Park Hiker Shuttle. Hiker Shuttle ticket holders will also need a valid park pass to enter Rocky.

You can purchase this online at Recreation.gov. Tickets for the shuttle are not available in person at visitor centers.

Visit NPS.gov/ROMO/PlanYourVisit/Shuttle-Buses-and-Public-Transit.htm.

The Hiker Shuttle operates 7 days a week, May 24-Sept. 2. Weekends only Sept. 7-Oct. 20, 2024.