Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain timed entry reservations
When your date is released, the night-before drop, and how to get in without one.
When is my date released?
Pick the date you want, and see the day and time it becomes bookable.
Rule from NPS Rocky Mountain: Timed Entry Permit System, checked November 2, 2026. Confirm on the official site before you rely on it.
In 2026, Rocky Mountain National Park required a timed entry reservation from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, May 22 through October 12, with Bear Lake Road needing its own reservation from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Reservations came out a month at a time at 8 a.m. Mountain on Recreation.gov, plus more at 7 p.m. the night before. The only cost is a $2 Recreation.gov fee. The park hasn't announced whether timed entry returns in 2027.
The 2026 release schedule
- May 1 at 8 a.m. MDT: May 22 to June 30.
- June 1 at 8 a.m. MDT: July 1 to 31 (plus any June dates still open).
- July 1 at 8 a.m. MDT: August 1 to 31.
- August 1 at 8 a.m. MDT: September 1 to 30.
- September 1 at 8 a.m. MDT: October 1 to 18.
- Every day: more reservations at 7 p.m. MDT the night before.
2027
The National Park Service hasn't announced whether timed entry returns in 2027, or its dates. The tool above uses the 2026 schedule only and says so for 2027 dates. We'll update this page when it's announced.
Sold out? Ways in anyway
Book through Recreation.gov first. It's the only place to reserve. If your date is gone:
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No reservation? Ways in anyway
- Enter before 9 a.m. or any time after 2 p.m.: no timed entry reservation needed (Bear Lake Road needs its own reservation from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
- Try the night-before release at 7 p.m. Mountain on Recreation.gov.
- Ride with a commercial tour: NPS says commercial tours and Commercial Use Authorization holders don't need a timed entry reservation.
Book a Rocky Mountain tour
NPS says commercial tours don't need a timed entry reservation. Check that the tour enters the park before you book.
Stay in Estes Park
Getting in before 9 a.m. needs no timed entry reservation. Sleeping close makes that easy.
Get the reminder by email
One email the week before the big Mountain West dates (each Angels Landing seasonal lottery, Havasupai's on-sale day, and Rocky Mountain's first timed entry release once it's announced). Nothing else.
Before any reminder, you'll get one email asking you to confirm. It comes from New England Reservations (hello@newenglandreservations.com), our sister site. Unsubscribe anytime. See the privacy policy.
Do I need a timed entry reservation for Rocky Mountain National Park?
In 2026, yes, to enter between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. from May 22 through October 12; Bear Lake Road needed its own reservation from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entering before 9 a.m. or after 2 p.m. needed none.
Will Rocky Mountain have timed entry in 2027?
Not announced. The NPS page covers 2026 only. We'll update this page when it's announced.
How much is a timed entry reservation?
Only a $2 non-refundable Recreation.gov processing fee, on top of the park entrance fee.
Sources
- NPS Rocky Mountain: Timed Entry Permit System, checked November 2, 2026.
Rules change. Always confirm on the official site before you rely on a date.