Do I need a reservation for Rocky Mountain?

Yes. Rocky Mountain National Park requires Timed Entry permit to enter from May 22, 2026 to Oct 12, 2026, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Entry before 9 a.m. or after 2 p.m. requires no timed entry reservation. A separate Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road permit is the alternative for its own corridor. You still pay the entrance fee ($30 per vehicle) or show an accepted pass.

Is there an entrance fee at Rocky Mountain?

Yes. A private vehicle pass is $30 per vehicle. An America the Beautiful pass is accepted for the entrance fee, and does not cover any reservation or permit.

Rocky Mountain reservations & entry requirements, 2026

The 2026 season at Rocky Mountain

This is what applies across the published season. Use the date checker below for a specific day.

1 reservation and 1 access restriction apply at Rocky Mountain National Park in 2026.

An entrance fee or accepted pass is required on every visit, separately from anything below.

Park entrance
Required
You must pay the park entrance fee or show an accepted pass.
- Private vehicle: $30, valid for 1 day.
- Motorcycle: $25.
- Per person on foot or bicycle: $15.
- An America the Beautiful pass covers this entrance fee. It does not cover any reservation or permit below.
- Rocky sells two tiers. The day pass is 1 day: $30 vehicle, $25 motorcycle, $15 per person. The 7-consecutive-day pass is $35, $30 and $20. A pass is required 24/7, including outlying areas such as Lumpy Ridge, Lily Lake, Longs Peak, Wild Basin, East Inlet and North Inlet. The park is cashless. Non-U.S. residents aged 16 and over pay an extra $100 per person, unless admitted on an Annual or America the Beautiful pass.
Timed entry
Required on some dates
2 separate requirements apply during 2026.
- Timed Entry permit
  Dates
  May 22, 2026 – Oct 12, 2026
  Hours
  9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  Fee
  $2
  Opens
  May 1, 2026 · 8 a.m. Mountain Time
  - Non-refundable $2 Recreation.gov processing fee per reservation, in addition to the park entrance fee. Reservations are non-transferable and non-refundable.
  - Entry before 9 a.m. or after 2 p.m. requires no timed entry reservation.
  - Visitors entering by bicycle do not need a timed entry reservation.
  - Commercial Use Authorization and Special Use Permit holders, concessioners and commercial tours do not need a timed entry reservation.
  - A Wilderness Overnight Backpacking permit serves as the timed entry reservation.
  - All areas of Rocky Mountain National Park EXCEPT the Bear Lake Road corridor - includes Trail Ridge Road, Alpine Visitor Center, Old Fall River Road, the west side, Wild Basin, Lily Lake, Longs Peak, Lumpy Ridge and East Inlet.
  - A reservation at Aspenglen, Glacier Basin, Moraine Park or Timber Creek Campground includes a timed entry reservation. Timber Creek campers get everything EXCEPT the Bear Lake Road corridor. Longs Peak Campground (first-come, first-served) does NOT include timed entry.
- Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road permit
  Dates
  May 22, 2026 – Oct 18, 2026
  Hours
  5 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  Fee
  $2
  Opens
  May 1, 2026 · 8 a.m. Mountain Time
  Applies to Bear Lake Road corridor on the east side near Beaver Meadows Entrance, including Moraine Park, Sprague Lake, Park & Ride Parking Area, Glacier Gorge Trailhead and Bear Lake; also grants access to all other areas of the park
  - Non-refundable $2 Recreation.gov processing fee per reservation, in addition to the park entrance fee.
  - Entering the Bear Lake Road corridor before 5 a.m. or after 6 p.m. requires no reservation.
  - Visitors entering by bicycle do not need a timed entry reservation.
  - CUA/SUP holders, concessioners and commercial tours do not need a timed entry reservation.
  - A Wilderness Overnight Backpacking permit serves as the timed entry reservation.
  - Campers with reservations at Aspenglen, Glacier Basin or Moraine Park get Bear Lake Road corridor access plus all other areas. Timber Creek campers do NOT get Bear Lake Road. Campers may enter from 1 p.m. on the first day of the camping reservation; on checkout day the campground confirmation remains valid for re-entry all day.
Book on recreation.gov(opens in a new tab)
Vehicle, road, or corridor
Required on some dates
Old Fall River Road one-way restriction applies during part of 2026.
- Old Fall River Road one-way restriction
  Dates
  Jul 4, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026
  Hours
  All day
  Fee
  Not published
  Opens
  No advance booking
  Applies to Old Fall River Road, 9.4 miles one-way uphill from Endovalley Picnic Area to Fall River Pass at the Alpine Visitor Center
  - No fee beyond the entrance pass and any applicable timed entry reservation.
  - Vehicles over 25 feet and vehicles pulling trailers or tow vehicles are prohibited.
  - Temporary closures may go into effect at any time based on weather and conditions.
  - No overnight booking affects Old Fall River Road access beyond the general timed entry coverage.
- No separate per-vehicle reservation: Only one timed entry reservation is required per vehicle per day, not per person.
- Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River: Bear Lake Road is open year-round.
Shuttle
Not required
Nothing here is required in 2026.
- Estes Park Hiker Shuttle (reservation required) and free in-park shuttles. The Hiker Shuttle does not pick up or drop off at any other location in Estes Park or in the park. In-park Bear Lake and Moraine Park shuttles do not require a reservation.
Your campground or lodging
Required all year
Campground reservation includes a timed entry reservation applies on every date in 2026.
- Campground reservation includes a timed entry reservation
  Dates
  Jan 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026
  Hours
  from 1 p.m. onward
  Fee
  Not published
  Opens
  Rolling window
  Applies to Aspenglen, Glacier Basin, Moraine Park and Timber Creek Campgrounds (reservable); Longs Peak Campground (first-come, first-served)
  - The timed entry page does not publish per-night campground rates.
  - Longs Peak Campground is first-come, first-served and a timed entry reservation is NOT included with its camping fee.
  - There are no same-day campground sales at RMNP.
  - Aspenglen, Glacier Basin and Moraine Park campers get the Bear Lake Road corridor plus all other areas. Timber Creek campers get the west side and all areas EXCEPT the Bear Lake Road corridor. Campers enter from 1 p.m. on the first day; on checkout day (noon checkout) the confirmation stays valid for re-entry all day.
- No in-park lodging that affects entry.
Selected activity
Required all year
Wilderness overnight backpacking permit applies on every date in 2026.
- Wilderness overnight backpacking permit
  Dates
  Jan 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026
  Hours
  7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  Fee
  Not published
  Opens
  Not published
  Applies to Backcountry throughout Rocky Mountain National Park; permits picked up at the Wilderness Office near Beaver Meadows Visitor Center (east) or Kawuneeche Visitor Center (west)
  - The timed entry page does not state a wilderness permit fee.
  - The physical permit must be picked up in person before it substitutes for timed entry.
  - A valid entrance fee or park pass is still required.
  - A wilderness overnight backpacking permit serves as the timed entry reservation, so no separate timed entry booking is needed.

Fees and passes

Entrance fee rates at Rocky Mountain National Park
Private vehicle	$30
Motorcycle	$25
Per person, on foot or bicycle	$15
Valid for	1 day
Park annual pass	$70

Rocky sells two tiers. The day pass is 1 day: $30 vehicle, $25 motorcycle, $15 per person. The 7-consecutive-day pass is $35, $30 and $20. A pass is required 24/7, including outlying areas such as Lumpy Ridge, Lily Lake, Longs Peak, Wild Basin, East Inlet and North Inlet. The park is cashless. Non-U.S. residents aged 16 and over pay an extra $100 per person, unless admitted on an Annual or America the Beautiful pass.

An America the Beautiful pass is accepted here. It covers the entrance fee only. It does not cover a timed-entry permit, a vehicle reservation, a parking tag, a shuttle ticket, or an activity permit.

A pass covers the entrance fee only. It does NOT include a timed entry permit — the permit and the pass are separate, and you need both during reservation hours. Resident Annual $80, Non-Resident Annual $250, Senior Annual $20, Senior Lifetime $80; Military, Access and 4th Grade free. An Annual or America the Beautiful pass waives the $100 per-person non-U.S.-resident fee. From 2026 the servicewide fee-free days apply to U.S. residents only.

Fee-free days

Feb 16, 2026
May 25, 2026
Jun 14, 2026
Jul 3, 2026
Jul 4, 2026
Jul 5, 2026
Aug 25, 2026
Sep 17, 2026
Oct 27, 2026
Nov 11, 2026

From 2026 a fee-free day waives the entrance fee for U.S. residents. Other visitors still pay it, plus the $100 nonresident fee where it applies. A fee-free day never waives a reservation, a permit, or a booking fee unless the park says so.

Rules that apply to one area only

These do not apply to the whole park. Where you go changes the answer.

Beaver Meadows, Fall River and Grand Lake entrances, plus all outlying areas including Lumpy Ridge, Lily Lake, Longs Peak, Wild Basin, East Inlet and North InletRocky Mountain entrance fee (1-day or 7-day pass) · Jan 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026
Bear Lake Road corridor on the east side near Beaver Meadows Entrance, including Moraine Park, Sprague Lake, Park & Ride Parking Area, Glacier Gorge Trailhead and Bear Lake; also grants access to all other areas of the parkTimed Entry + Bear Lake Road permit (Bear Lake Road corridor plus everywhere else) · May 22, 2026 – Oct 18, 2026
Aspenglen, Glacier Basin, Moraine Park and Timber Creek Campgrounds (reservable); Longs Peak Campground (first-come, first-served)Campground reservation includes a timed entry reservation · Jan 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026
Backcountry throughout Rocky Mountain National Park; permits picked up at the Wilderness Office near Beaver Meadows Visitor Center (east) or Kawuneeche Visitor Center (west)Wilderness overnight backpacking permit (serves as your timed entry) · Jan 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026
Old Fall River Road, 9.4 miles one-way uphill from Endovalley Picnic Area to Fall River Pass at the Alpine Visitor CenterOld Fall River Road: one-way uphill, vehicle size limits · Jul 4, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026

What a campground or lodging booking does and does not cover

Rocky Mountain entrance fee (1-day or 7-day pass)Not covered by an in-park booking. A campground reservation includes a timed entry reservation but does NOT include the entrance fee. Campers must still hold a valid entrance pass.
Timed Entry permit (rest of park, does NOT include Bear Lake Road)Covered by an in-park campground or lodging booking. A reservation at Aspenglen, Glacier Basin, Moraine Park or Timber Creek Campground includes a timed entry reservation. Timber Creek campers get everything EXCEPT the Bear Lake Road corridor. Longs Peak Campground (first-come, first-served) does NOT include timed entry.
Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road permit (Bear Lake Road corridor plus everywhere else)Covered by an in-park campground or lodging booking. Campers with reservations at Aspenglen, Glacier Basin or Moraine Park get Bear Lake Road corridor access plus all other areas. Timber Creek campers do NOT get Bear Lake Road. Campers may enter from 1 p.m. on the first day of the camping reservation; on checkout day the campground confirmation remains valid for re-entry all day.
Campground reservation includes a timed entry reservationCovered by an in-park campground or lodging booking. Aspenglen, Glacier Basin and Moraine Park campers get the Bear Lake Road corridor plus all other areas. Timber Creek campers get the west side and all areas EXCEPT the Bear Lake Road corridor. Campers enter from 1 p.m. on the first day; on checkout day (noon checkout) the confirmation stays valid for re-entry all day.
Wilderness overnight backpacking permit (serves as your timed entry)Covered by an in-park campground or lodging booking. A wilderness overnight backpacking permit serves as the timed entry reservation, so no separate timed entry booking is needed.

Quick answers

Do I need a reservation for Rocky Mountain?: Yes. Rocky Mountain National Park requires Timed Entry permit to enter from May 22, 2026 to Oct 12, 2026, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Entry before 9 a.m. or after 2 p.m. requires no timed entry reservation. A separate Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road permit is the alternative for its own corridor. You still pay the entrance fee ($30 per vehicle) or show an accepted pass.
Is there an entrance fee at Rocky Mountain?: Yes. A private vehicle pass is $30 per vehicle. An America the Beautiful pass is accepted for the entrance fee, and does not cover any reservation or permit.

Official links, coverage, and sources

When reservations are released

Rocky Mountain entrance feeSold at staffed entrance stations (credit/debit only) or in advance on Recreation.gov. Annual and Lifetime passes bought online take 2-4 weeks to arrive by mail.
Timed Entry permitReleased on May 1, 2026. Release time: 8 a.m. Mountain Time. Monthly block releases at 8 a.m. MDT: May 1 for May 22-Jun 30; Jun 1 for Jul 1-31; Jul 1 for Aug 1-31; Aug 1 for Sep 1-30; Sep 1 for Oct 1-18. Separately, 40 percent of each day's reservations are released at 7 p.m. MDT the evening before the arrival date.
Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road permitReleased on May 1, 2026. Release time: 8 a.m. Mountain Time. Same schedule as the rest-of-park permit: monthly block releases at 8 a.m. MDT on May 1, Jun 1, Jul 1, Aug 1 and Sep 1, plus 40 percent of each day's reservations released at 7 p.m. MDT the evening before arrival.
Campground reservation includes a timed entry reservationReleased on a rolling window. Campground reservations are made on Recreation.gov and sell out in advance. The park page does not state the booking window length.
Wilderness overnight backpacking permitThe timed entry page does not publish the wilderness permit release schedule. Daily hours shown are the Wilderness Office pickup hours (7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily), not permit validity hours.

Official booking and park information

Book Timed Entry permit / Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road permitrecreation.gov(opens in a new tab)$2 reservation fee
Official park alerts and conditionsnps.gov(opens in a new tab)Alerts override anything on this page.
Official fees and passesnps.gov(opens in a new tab)

What this does not cover

Road, weather, and fire closures that change day to day. Check the park’s alerts page.
Backcountry and wilderness permits beyond the headline permits listed above.
Commercial use authorizations, filming permits, and group-size rules.
Availability. We tell you what is required, not whether anything is left.
Individual campsite and lodge availability, which is handled by the booking system.

Effective dates and sources

Fees and passesNational Park Service · reviewed 2026-07-30 · applies to Park entrancePrivate Vehicle $30.00 1-Day Vehicle Entrance Pass. This pass is valid for one private vehicle to enter RMNP for one day only. All passengers inside the vehicle are covered. Same page, read 2026-07-30: "Each non-US resident aged 16 and older visiting Rocky Mountain National Park must pay a $100 nonresident fee (in addition to the standard entrance fee), unless admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass."
Fees & Passes - Rocky Mountain National ParkNational Park Service · reviewed 2026-07-26 · applies to Rocky Mountain entrance feeA valid entrance fee or park pass is always required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This includes, but is not exclusive to, Lumpy Ridge, Lily Lake, Longs Peak, Wild Basin, East Inlet, and North Inlet.
Timed Entry Permit System - Rocky Mountain National ParkNational Park Service · reviewed 2026-07-26 · applies to Timed Entry permitTimed Entry reservations are needed to enter Rocky Mountain National Park between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily beginning on Friday, May 22 through Monday, October 12, 2026.
Timed Entry Permit System - Rocky Mountain National ParkNational Park Service · reviewed 2026-07-26 · applies to Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road permitTimed Entry+ Bear Lake Road Reservations are needed to enter the Bear Lake Road Corridor between the hours of 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily beginning on Friday, May 22 through Sunday, October 18, 2026.
Timed Entry Permit System - Rocky Mountain National ParkNational Park Service · reviewed 2026-07-26 · applies to No separate per-vehicle reservationOnly one timed entry reservation is required per vehicle, per day (not per person). A visitor with a Recreation.gov account may only reserve one timed entry during a single day.
Timed Entry Permit System - Rocky Mountain National ParkNational Park Service · reviewed 2026-07-26 · applies to Estes Park Hiker ShuttleThe Hiker Shuttle provides bus service to passengers from the Estes Park Visitor Center... Reservations are required. To reserve Hiker Shuttle Tickets, visit Recreation.gov at https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10088647
Timed Entry Permit System - Rocky Mountain National ParkNational Park Service · reviewed 2026-07-26 · applies to Campground reservation includes a timed entry reservationFor visitors who have an overnight campground reservation at Aspenglen, Glacier Basin, Moraine Park or Timber Creek Campgrounds, a timed entry reservation is included with your camping reservation. Campers can enter RMNP beginning at 1 p.m. on the first day of their camping reservation.
Timed Entry Permit System - Rocky Mountain National ParkNational Park Service · reviewed 2026-07-26 · applies to Wilderness overnight backpacking permitNo. If you have a Wilderness Overnight Backpacking permit, this will serve as your timed entry reservation. You must first pick up the physical copy of your overnight wilderness permit from the RMNP Wilderness Office. Both Wilderness Office locations are open daily from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Park Roads - Rocky Mountain National ParkNational Park Service · reviewed 2026-07-26 · applies to Old Fall River Road one-way restrictionBecause of the narrow width and sharp switch backs, vehicles over 25 feet and vehicles pulling trailers or tow vehicles are prohibited from traveling on Old Fall River Road.
Park Roads - Rocky Mountain National ParkNational Park Service · reviewed 2026-07-26 · applies to Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall RiverOld Fall River Road is a seasonal road open to vehicles each year from early July to early October. Old Fall River Road will open for the season to vehicles on Saturday morning, July 4.
Timed Entry Permit System - Rocky Mountain National ParkNational Park Service · reviewed 2026-07-26 · applies to No in-park lodging that affects entryFor visitors who have an overnight campground reservation at Aspenglen, Glacier Basin, Moraine Park or Timber Creek Campgrounds, a timed entry reservation is included with your camping reservation.

Something wrong here?

Park rules change, sometimes at short notice. If a line on this page does not match what the park publishes, tell us and we will fix it and re-check the source.

corrections@nationalparkentry.com· Last factual change 2026-08-05 · Sources last reviewed 2026-07-26

Nearest other national parks

Chosen by distance from Rocky Mountain, not by editorial preference.

Rocky Mountain National Park entry requirements