Changes coming to Rocky Mountain National Park's timed entry reservation system for 2023

Miles Blumhardt, Fort Collins Coloradoan
·2 min read

For the fourth consecutive year, Rocky Mountain National Park will implement a timed entry permit reservation system to enter the park at prime times in 2023. The plan includes tweaks from last year.

The system will start May 26, 2023, and run through Oct. 22. The system has been used since 2020 to ease congestion during the busiest times of the day and improve visitor experience. The park is one of the busiest in the National Park Service, drawing 4.4 million visitors in 2021.

Timed entry permit changes for 2023

  • More reservations will be available for the next day: 40% of all reservations can be made available the day prior at 5 p.m. through https://www.recreation.gov/. These are expected to run out quickly. Last year, the park made 30% available the day before.

  • The permit entry system will last longer into the fall: The pilot permit system will be extended through Oct. 22. Last year, the system ended Oct. 10.

  • People without permits will be able to enter at 2 p.m. instead of 3 p.m., but only outside of the Bear Lake corridor. Timed entry permits will be required from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

How the timed entry permit system works

  • There are two types of reservations available. One is for the Bear Lake Road Corridor, which includes that corridor and rest of the park. The other is for outside of the Bear Lake corridor.

  • The Bear Lake reservation period will be 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.. For the rest of the park, the reservation period will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  • Permit reservations allow visitors park entry within two-hour windows of availability, with no set time for departure.

  • Cost for a reservation through https://www.recreation.gov/ is $2. That fee is in addition to your daily or annual entrance fee.

  • The first day to reserve a spot is 8 a.m. MDT, May 1. This round of reservations will allow entrance to the park May 26 through June 30. On June 1, you can secure a reservation for the month of July and any remaining days not booked in June. The same process continues for July, August and September.

  • A permit reservation is not required if entering before or after the designated reservation period, but visitors must still pay the entrance fee.

More: Colorado wolves The predator was once an option to reduce Rocky Mountain National Park's popular elk herd

Rocky Mountain National Park seeks visitor input

As part of the park's long-range visitor use management plan, the park will hold public meetings and is asking for public engagement comments through Feb. 1. To learn more, go to nps.gov/romo/getinvolved/day-use-visitor-access-strategy.htm.

For more information about the park, visit nps.gov/romo/index.htm, follow the park on social media @RockyNPS or call the park at 970-586-1206.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: RMNP timed entry permit reservation system will have changes in 2023