2024 Timed Entry Reservation System Explained for Rocky Mountain National Park

[@vjonas397]

I think my head just exploded listening to this

[@exploreestes]

That seems to be a common side effect😂

[@vjonas397]

@@exploreestes I’m retired and although decent on computers, I found the site VERY difficult to navigate. But it had me thinking…there is definitely a percentage of the population that would never be able to figure this system out.

[@libbymeli864]

This video was SO incredibly helpful. Easy to listen. I took a lot of notes :)

[@exploreestes]

So happy you found it helpful!

[@nicolewright8833]

They’re doing such a good job of regulating entry. Maybe they should operate things at our southern border.

[@johnguerra593]

So for example, I'm going to the wild basin trailhead. I don't need a permit if I go at 7am?

[@exploreestes]

Correct. No reservation needed for Wild Basin before 9am or after 2pm.

[@Mavigation]

Hi! We only plan to visit Estes Park. Is this considered part of the RMNP that we need to make a reservation for (assuming we arrived during the timed-entry hours)?

[@exploreestes]

Estes Park is a town, unless you plan on entering the boundaries of Rocky Mountain National Park, you do not need a reservation to visit the town.

[@Mavigation]

@@exploreestes Ah, thanks so much. Can't wait to visit for the first time!

[@chrissmith9151]

Thanks for the info. I'm already stressed out thinking about this over complicated system. Hopefully our decision to come out to Colorado for vacation this year wasn't a huge mistake.

[@exploreestes]

First figure out the areas you want to see, then plan from there. It’s not too bad once you know where you’re going.

[@rjfranz217]

Thank you for keeping us up to date on the Timed Entry. I was wondering your thoughts on crowds and ease of access in May before Timed Entry begins compared after Timed Entry. This is my first visit in spring.

[@exploreestes]

No problem! The National Park starts getting busier towards the end of the month, especially before timed entry starts for the season. Check out our May Guide for travel details: Spring Travel Guide to Visiting Estes Park, Colorado in May - Detailed Monthly Guide kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3ekpqVtm8anrqs

[@rjfranz217]

Thank You@@exploreestes

[@josuerodriguez97]

Ello. So if I enter the park at 8 am doing have access to bear lake area without a permit ?

[@exploreestes]

No, you can access all areas of the National Park minus the Bear Lake Corridor. Reservations are from 5am to 6pm for the Bear Lake Corridor.

[@UnoLegger]

Thank you for all this information! Is the timed entry pass for the park and/or bear lake just if you are going to bring your own vehicle? For example, would I need a separate timed entry pass or timed entry +bear lake road pass if I buy a hiker shuttle pass to take me into the park and then pick up the bear lake shuttle from the park and ride station?

[@exploreestes]

You’re welcome! Your hiker shuttle reservation acts as your timed entry reservation.

[@brandonpetrehn8742]

Thank you for all the info! We will be visiting in mid August. I wasn't able to get a permit for Bear Lake, so we will just go early in the morning. I don't know what to expect for traffic at 4:30am. What time do you think we'll need to enter the park to get through the gates before the 5am cutoff at Bear Lake? Can we expect to just drive straight in or will there be traffic delays to account for? Thanks again!

[@exploreestes]

You will likely be able to drive straight in. Less people are trying to get in before 5am, and the Rangers likely won't start manning the gate until 5am as well so it shouldn't be an issue.

[@daisyr.8320]

Is there a separate lane for those with a timed entry reservation? Or does everyone wait in the same line?

[@reclhoss]

It's amazing how fast a state can change. The rapid Californication of Colorado has been depressing to see.

[@rjfranz217]

Thank You, I will be using your shuttle

[@exploreestes]

Please be sure to send us your request in advance as we can book up quickly in the summer, especially since our trailhead services are more restricted.

[@jonide8914]

Quick question... Hoping to visit for the first time this summer. Plan on doing a few seperate days in the park. Obviously the weekly pass is needed. Lets say we entered the park 3 seperate days, we would need three seperate timed empty reservations, correct?

[@exploreestes]

If you plan on visiting areas during timed entry reservation hours, you will need a reservation for each day.

[@jamescc2010]

Will there be problem with long line if we go there early like 8am without timed entry in case of sold out?

[@exploreestes]

There could be depending on time of year and day you’re visiting, the earlier, the better for arrival

[@daltonkneeland5188]

Hi! Maybe you can provide me with some more info as my wife and I are a little confused. We bought Timed Entry + bear lake road. Our ticket says 4PM on it. Can you please explain this. Does this mean that we can enter the park at any time and be at Bear Lake by 4PM or do we have to wait until 4PM to enter the park. We would like to explore as much of the park as we can and want to make sure what we bought will allow us to do that and explore hike around Bear Lake.

[@exploreestes]

If you have a reservation for Bear Lake Rd at 4pm, that means you cannot enter Rocky Mountain National Park until 4pm. Once it is your reservation time, you must enter the National Park AND Bear Lake Road anytime from 4-6pm. However, you can still enter the National Park before 9am without a reservation and you can explore other areas, then head to Bear Lake Rd between 4-6pm.

[@daltonkneeland5188]

@@exploreestes Thank you! One last question. So if we entered the park before 9AM and we wanted to leave (say for lunch around 1PM) and come back for our 4PM reservation, is that possible?

[@exploreestes]

@daltonkneeland5188 Yes!

[@captainmalibu43]

if i buy a senior park pass and enter the park in my car, does my son who is riding with me need his own pass or does it cover the entire car?

[@exploreestes]

You will likely need a timed entry reservation in addition to your entrance pass if entering during the peak season. Both a timed entry reservation and entrance pass covers everyone in the vehicle.

[@cheriestl]

Can’t wait to meet you on the tour!

[@exploreestes]

You’ll have a great time with Riley!🤗🚙

[@typicalatypical7029]

Hi, thanks for the info. Im planning to stay there for 2-3 days at the bear lake and planning to stay there. do i need to buy the entry pass and shuttle pass for 3 days or just one day would be fine? I would also like to know if there is any bus or any means of transport provided by the government or the park authorities from denver airport? Thank you in advance.

[@exploreestes]

If you are not camping in the park, you will need an entry pass for each day, or purchase the weekly pass. If you need transportation each day, you will need to separately purchase shuttle tickets for each day as well. The Bustang operates from Union Station in Denver to Estes Park.

[@rjfranz217]

What time do your shuttles to trail heads in the park, start in the a.m.?

[@exploreestes]

We have limited availability for trailhead services during the summer due to timed entry restrictions. You can see our availability here: exploreestes.com/trailhead-drop-off-rocky-mountain/#book-now

[@AaMm-pd2uk]

For example if we have reservations for the bear lake area between 12-2pm and driving from Grand Lake we can enter thru Grand lake at 12 and also need to make it to Bear lake by 2pm before our time slot expire?

[@exploreestes]

That is correct. You can also enter the Grand Lake Entrance before 9am without a reservation and make it to the Bear Lake Road Corridor by your 12-2pm reservation for entry.

[@janetlynn694]

i have a question...so as im looking at june 3 for the timed entry, it gives me the regular one only avail at noon and bear lake one 4 pm...if i wanted to do the bear lake one and 4pm is the only option, does that mean i can't enter the rest of the park either until that time?

[@exploreestes]

You can enter RMNP before 9am or after 2pm without a reservation, then enter the Bear Lake Road Corridor from 4-6pm with your reservation. 40% of reservations are also released the night before, so at 7pm on June 2nd, you have a chance to get an earlier reservation for June 3rd. However, if you get a reservation now, you will have to release it before being able to purchase a different time for June 3rd.

[@janetlynn694]

@@exploreestes ok thank you! but if i just buy the noon one, then i can't go to bear lake right? im also looking into your tour for june 5 but have to talk to my friend first....we are actually staying in breckenridge so would have to either drive up super early for the 8 am tour or try to stay in estes park the night before

[@janetlynn694]

@@exploreestes unfortunately i was confused about the reservation system...i thought i had to wait until may 24 to make it for june 3...didnt realize i could have made it weeks ago

[@exploreestes]

If the reservation is not for bear lake road, you cannot enter the Bear lake road corridor during peak times, you can only enter before 5am or after 6pm to bear lake road corridor without a reservation. Our tours are booking very quickly so be sure to book soon if you’re interested in our private summer tour!

[@janetlynn694]

@@exploreestes thank you!

[@NickMartinez-k4j]

If i go early in the morning without a timed entry and leave for lunch midday can i re-enter?

[@exploreestes]

If you do not have a timed entry, you can re-entry after timed entry ends for the day for whichever area you’re looking to access.

[@LuisMoreno-rx5kh]

So, if I'm going late April, I don't need a reservation?

[@exploreestes]

That is correct

[@rjfranz217]

You mentioned that if you have a Timed Entry for just the Park, you can leave the Park and come back. Is that correct? For instance, if your entry is 6-8 a.m., can you leave the park at 10, get some lunch and come back at 12? How is that done?

[@exploreestes]

That is correct for entry to the park EXCEPT Bear Lake Corridor. When you enter the park with timed entry, you will receive a permit to place on your windshield for your timeframe. You can leave at any time and return at any time that same day, however you can only return to the Bear Lake Rd Corridor after 2pm if you decide to leave.

[@rjfranz217]

Thank You. But one other clarification, if I enter with a Bear Lake pass and after visiting Bear Lake area, can I leave the park and re-enter the rest of the park and not the Bear Lake area?@@exploreestes

[@exploreestes]

@rjfranz217 If you have a reservation for bear lake, you can re-enter the park at any time, and can re-enter the Bear Lake Rd only after 2pm.

[@rjfranz217]

Thank you

[@joeschmo2515]

This is an absolute Sh!t show!!! Now City, County and State parks are doing the same. Basically everyone who lives in the State cant use the parks they pay for in Taxes!! That is unless you schedule months ahead.

[@FatherGapon-gw6yo]

Facism.

[@budyddygoodman1739]

3212 Flossie Tunnel

[@jerryRp90x]

Thank you, so confused

[@RoyIrene-o8m]

Stiedemann Flat