Rocky Mountain maintains timed entry through mid-October

Rocky Mountain National Park is keeping its timed-entry reservation system in place through mid-October, requiring most summer and early fall visitors to book ahead on Recreation.gov before arriving. The National Park Service said the 2026 system began on May 22 and applies during set daytime hours, with separate reservation types for the Bear Lake Road Corridor and for the rest of the park. Park officials said the system is intended to spread out arrivals, protect resources and maintain operations during the busiest season. Local outlet Sky-Hi News reported the park reiterated the requirement on May 23. ### Which visitors need a reservation, and when? Beginning May 22, timed-entry reservations are required during certain hours of the day to enter Rocky Mountain National Park, according to the park’s official timed-entry page. The requirement covers all areas of the park, including outlying destinations such as Lily Lake, Longs Peak, Lumpy Ridge and East Inlet Trail. The National Park Service said there are two reservation options in 2026. A standard “Timed Entry” reservation covers most of the park but does not include access to Bear Lake Road, while a “Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road” reservation includes the corridor and all other park areas. ### How long does the requirement last this year? The Bear Lake Road Corridor reservation requirement runs from May 22 through October 18, 2026, between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. (nps.gov) MDT, according to Recreation.gov and the park’s Bear Lake information page. For the rest of Rocky Mountain National Park, the timed-entry system remains in effect through mid-October during daytime hours. (recreation.gov) The park’s official materials describe the 2026 system as similar to the one used in 2024 and 2025. ### Why is the park still using timed entry? Rocky Mountain National Park said visitation increased 44% over the past 11 years, with most visits concentrated in the summer season, according to Sky-Hi News’ May 23 report. (recreation.gov) The park said the reservation system is meant to create opportunities for high-quality visitor experiences while protecting park resources. Recreation.gov says the system spreads visitor use throughout the day and across the park. (nps.gov) The booking page says reservations are not available in person at entrance stations or visitor centers. ### How do the entry windows work once you have a permit? Timed-entry reservations allow visitors to enter within a designated two-hour window, according to the park’s frequently asked questions page. (skyhinews.com) Once inside the park, visitors may stay as long as they want for the rest of that day. Reservation holders must arrive within their reserved window, the park said. (recreation.gov) Visitors still need a separate park entrance pass or other valid park admission in addition to the reservation. ### Where do visitors book, and what does it cost? Recreation.gov is the only place visitors can make Rocky Mountain timed-entry reservations, according to the federal booking page. (nps.gov) The only fee tied to the reservation is a $2 processing charge, while normal park entrance fees still apply. Reservations for the 2026 season began releasing at 8 a.m. Mountain Time on May 1 for visits from May 22 through June 30, according to park information cited by The Coloradoan and the National Park Service. (nps.gov) Additional reservation blocks are released on a rolling basis through the season on Recreation.gov. ### What should visitors check before they go? (recreation.gov) The National Park Service directs visitors to review which reservation type matches their destination before traveling, especially if they plan to use the Bear Lake Road Corridor. Bear Lake Road reservations remain required through October 18, while the broader park timed-entry system continues through mid-October on the park’s official schedule. (home.nps.gov) Recreation.gov and the Rocky Mountain National Park timed-entry page list current rules, release schedules and access details for the 2026 season. Visitors planning trips later this summer or in early October can book through those pages as inventory is released. (nps.gov) (recreation.gov)