Rocky Mountain National Park

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK TIMED ENTRY PERMIT RESERVATIONS

Timed entry permits are required to enter the Rocky Mountain National Park from May 26 through October 22, 2023, entrance passes continue to be required. Know before you go, with all the information to make planning your trip easier, especially while in Lyons.

PARK IN LYONS AND RIDE THE BUSTANG!

On weekends, you can secure a timed-entry permit and leave the car in the Town of Lyons by riding the Bustang public bus service, which departs Lyons for the Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) Park and Ride transit hub.

The Bustang operates from May 27 - October 1, 2023, including weekends. The bus departs from Lyons Park-N-Ride 555 4th Ave. The 2023 schedule and ticket prices will be announced soon on the Bustang website, where bus tickets can also be purchased.

WAITING FOR YOUR THE TIMED ENTRY PERMIT RESERVATION? SPEND YOUR TIME IN LYONS

Lyons truly is the hip little town that everyone loves. Lyons is home to the original Oskar Blues and Grill and many other unique eateries and watering holes. Learn more about dining options in Lyons.

Lyons is home to several public art sculptures, live music and music festivals, and has heritage and history to check out. You can explore the unique and historic Main Street which is home to many independently-owned businesses and stores. Learn more here.

HOW TO MAKE A ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK RESERVATION

Timed entry permit reservation tickets are available online at recreation.gov or by :

Reservation Line: 877-444-6777
Reservation International: 606-515-6777
Reservation Line (TDD) 877-833-6777
Recreation.gov mobile app (iOS/Android).

Note: Reservations are not available at park entrance stations or park offices

Once you make your reservation, you will receive an email confirmation with an attached reservation ticket. You'll need to present this at the entrance station and because cell phone service can be spotty we recommend downloading, screenshotting or saving the ticket prior to arriving at Rocky Mountain National Park.

WHEN YOU CAN MAKE A ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK RESERVATIONS

Timed Entry Permit Reservations  to enter the park  will be available through www.recreation.gov beginning at 8 a.m. MDT on Monday, May 1, 2023. 

On May 1, Timed Entry Permits will be released for the dates of May 26 through June 30.
The next release will occur on June 1, for the month of July and any remaining days that have not been booked for June.
On July 1, reservations will be available for the month of August and any remaining days that have not been booked for July.
On August 1, reservations will be available for the month of September and any remaining days in August that have not been booked. 
On September 1, reservations will be available for October and any remaining days in September that have not been booked.

How Will the 2023 Reservation System Be Different from Previous Years?

Rocky Mountain National Park is committed to trying new things and being adaptive. Each year that the park has implemented a pilot Timed Entry Permit System, we have learned new ways to make improvements. There are a few key ways that the 2023 pilot Timed Entry Permit System will be different from past years. These include:

The pilot Timed Entry Permit System will be extended through October 22, 2023.
The park is reducing the time period and number of hours daily that reservations are in effect for most areas of RMNP. For the "Park Access, Does Not Include Bear Lake Road" Timed Entry Permits, they will be in effect between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. In 2022, these permits were in effect between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Visitors with Bear Lake + Park Access Timed Entry Permits who enter the Bear Lake Road corridor and who want to exit and return later in the day, may re-enter the Bear Lake Road corridor anytime after 2 p.m.
40 percent of all reservations will be released via Recreation.gov on the day prior to a desired arrival date at 5 p.m. MT.
This year, campers at Aspenglen, Glacier Basin, and Timber Creek Campgrounds will be able to initially enter the park beginning at 1 p.m. on the first day of their camping reservation, which is also the check in time for all park campgrounds. Campers who plan to enter the park earlier in the day will have to enter the park outside of the times when Timed Entry Permits are in effect (for example, before 9 a.m. for most areas of the park) or reserve a Timed Entry Permit Reservation. Just like last year, park visitors who have reservations to camp at Glacier Basin and Aspenglen Campgrounds will have access to the Bear Lake Road corridor as well as all other areas of the park. Park visitors who have reservations to camp at Timber Creek Campground will have access to areas of the park, excluding the Bear Lake Road corridor.

Visit the NPS website for further information.

2023 HIKER SHUTTLE FROM ESTES PARK

Access the Bear Lake Road corridor within Rocky Mountain National Park via the park’s Hiker Shuttle. The Hiker Shuttle provides a direct connection from the Town of Estes Park Visitor Center to RMNP's Park and Ride transit hub, located along Bear Lake Road. This can be booked at: https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10088647/ticket/10088648

This connection allows you to leave your vehicle behind at your lodging or parked in the Town’s parking structure adjacent to the Estes Park Visitor Center (near the intersections of HWY 36 and 34) and access many of the park’s most well-known destinations within the Bear Lake Road corridor using the park’s interior shuttle system. Additionally, the shuttle system allows you to create your own “loop” hikes enabling you to start at one trailhead and exit at another.

When you are ready to return to the Estes Park Visitor Center, simply return to the park’s Park and Ride transit hub to catch a return Hiker Shuttle back to town. Please remember, the last bus departs from Park and Ride at 5:15 pm.

Please keep in mind that Hiker Shuttle tickets only allow you to access the Bear Lake Road corridor inside RMNP.

Your Hiker Shuttle ticket is only valid for the Hiker Shuttle. You cannot drive your vehicle into Rocky using this ticket.

When booking your Hiker Shuttle reservation, please be aware that all members of your party, regardless of age, need a ticket to ride the Hiker Shuttle. One person may reserve up to 4 tickets per $2.00 reservation. If your party needs more than four tickets, another member of your party will need to book an additional reservation.

Seats are limited, please only book the number of tickets you need so others may enjoy the park experience.

Rocky Mountain National Park

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO