Crews are working to improve access to and from Rocky Mountain National Park with the Downtown Estes Loop Project.
Timed entry permits are required to enter the Park from May 26 through October 22, 2023, entrance passes continue to be required. You can secure a timed-entry permit and leave the car in town by using the Hiker Shuttle.
Timed Entry Permit Reservations are required, along with a park pass or entrance fee, to enter Rocky Mountain National Park from May 26 to October 22, 2023.
Timed entry permit reservation tickets are available online at recreation.gov or by :
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.
There are two different access options for timed entry permits in 2023, access with Bear Lake Road (Park Access+) and access without Bear Lake Road (Park Access). The time slots for these access options are different. To access Bear Lake Road between the hours of 5am and 6pm you'll need a timed entry permit. Outside of Bear Lake Road, you need a timed entry permit from 9am to 2pm.
Reservations will become available on May 1 at 8 a.m. (MDT) for reservations to enter the park from May 26 through June 30.
Reservations will become available on June 1 for reservations to enter the park during the month of July (and any remaining days that have not been booked for June).
Reservations will become available on July 1 for reservations to enter the park during the month of August (and any remaining days that have not been booked for July).
Reservations will become available on August 1 for reservations to enter the park during the month of September (and any remaining days that have not been booked for August).
Reservations will become available on September 1 for reservations to enter the park during the month of October (and any remaining days that have not been booked for September).
40 percent of permits will be held and available for purchase the day prior at 5 p.m. through recreation.gov. These are expected to sell out quickly and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead when possible.
Your permit will allow a two-hour window to enter Rocky Mountain National Park, which you will have chosen when you purchased your entry permit. Be sure to arrive at the entrance gate early in the two-hour window to avoid possible entrance lines affecting your ability to enter within the allotted time.
Questions? See RMNP's page on the timed-entry permit system here.
The hiker shuttle will operate between the Estes Park Visitor Center and the Bear Lake Park & Ride from May 26 to October 22, 2023. 7-day service will operate May 26 to September 4. Beginning on September 9, weekend service only will continue through October 22.
Schedule:
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Estes Park Visitor Center
500 Big Thompson Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517 | 970-577-9900
Visit Estes Park Business Office
P.O. Box 4426, Estes Park, CO 80517