Rmnp in 2023 is using a reservation system with the purpose being to limit the numbers of people using the park. The whole reason for National Parks is to protect the areas of interest. When too many people enter the park everything gets overused and the protection of the land fails. Listed below are some highlights of the reservation system:

•  A national park pass ($30 day pass, $35 week pass, $70 annual pass, $80 annual pass to all national parks, Access pass, Senior pass) is required to get into RMNP

• A reservation is required to get into RMNP

• 2 different reservations are available (Bear Lake area, and everything else other than Bear lake road)

• Bear Lake reservations start at 5am and end at 6pm (In my opinion Bear Lake area is very popular because of great hiking trails.)

• Every other part of RMNP (Trail Ridge road, Old Fall River road, Colorado River, Alpine visitor center, Hidden Valley, etc.) start at 9am and end at 2pm.

• A limited number of reservations are available at 5pm the day before

• Most reservations are available at 10am (Mountain time) on the first of the month for the next months time slots.

• The time slots are for 2 hours 

• Reservations are reserved at recreation.gov (Its best to create an account way ahead of time, and then be logged in and ready to book right at 10am, spots fill fast)

• Save the reservation confirmation to show the park rangers at the booth (Screen shot on your phone is best)

Great ways to get around the reservation system - 

• Go in at times outside of the required times

• Bear Lake is wonderful for hiking, but very difficult to get a reservation time. Go explore the rest of the national park. The 9am-3pm times are very easy to work around

• Book a guided tour or hike. Commercial Use Access is the best way to thoroughly enjoy RMNP. Let experts show you around you will not be sorry!

Useful Links :

www.recreation.gov

4th grade park pass info