Rocky Mountain National Park Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, United States

Rocky Mountain National Park in northern Colorado spans the Continental Divide and encompasses protected mountains, forests and alpine tundra. It's known for the Trail Ridge Road and the Old Fall River Road, drives that pass aspen trees and rivers. The Keyhole Route, a climb crossing vertical rock faces, leads up Longs Peak, the park’s tallest mountain. A trail surrounding Bear Lake offers views of the peaks.

Rocky Mountain National Park’s 415 square miles encompass and protect spectacular mountain environments. Enjoy Trail Ridge Road – which crests at over 12,000 feet including many overlooks to experience the subalpine and alpine worlds – along with over 300 miles of hiking trails, wildflowers, wildlife, starry nights, and fun times. In a world of superlatives, Rocky is on top!

Rocky Mountain National Park has tweaked the timed entry permit reservation system that it launched in 2020. Visitors will need a timed entry permit for visits after  May 28, 2021. Reservations will be available at 8:00 am MDT on May 1, 2021, for permits from May 28 through June 30, 2021. After that,  permits for the following month will be released on the first of each previous month. For example, reservations for July will be released on June 1, and reservations for August will be released on July 1. All permits will be timed, and will require the permit holder (and passengers) to enter the park within a 2 hour time frame.  Visitors who have a campground reservation will not need an entry permit.

There are two different entry permits available. The Bear Lake permit will allow entry to the entire park, including the Bear Lake corridor, from 5 am to 6 pm. The second permit will allow entry to all areas of the park, except the Bear Lake Corridor. It will be valid from 9 am to 3 pm. There is a $2 reservation fee for each permit. Permit holders must enter the park within their two hour time frame, but they can stay as long as they want.

Additionally, 25% of the permits will be available for purchase at 5 p.m. on the previous day. These are expected to go quickly, so it’s best to plan ahead to avoid disappointment. No permits will be sold in the park. Entrance permits are valid for seven days and include reentry privileges; however they must be used on the first day of the reservation. And remember, even if you have a national park access pass, you still need an entrance permit.

Rocky Mountain National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, weather permitting.

• Summer and fall are the busiest seasons in the park. Parking lots can be full and roads congested. Arriving early or coming into the park in the late afternoon can help.
• During the summer and fall free park shuttle buses operate to help you get around the Bear Lake Road.
• If you are planning to camp overnight in the park, you must be in one of the designated campgrounds or a backcountry campsite. Camping reservations are strongly recommended during the summer and fall.
• Be sure to check the status of park roads, as some roads close seasonally.
• Keep in mind that during the fall, winter, and spring, conditions can change quickly in the mountains. Check the weather forecast when planning your visit.
• Park visitor center hours also vary with the season.