2024 Timed Entry Reservation System Explained for Rocky Mountain National Park

This video explains everything you need to know to understand the 2024 Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry Permit Reservation System. Skip to important sections in the timestamps below.
HELPFUL LINKS:
Join our Facebook Community:
/ exploreestesparkrmnp
Understanding the Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry Permit Reservation System:
exploreestes.com/understandin...
Timed Entry Permit Reservation System - Rocky Mountain National Park:
www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisi...
Buy Your Timed Entry Permit for Rocky Mountain National Park - Recreation.gov (May 24 - October 20):
www.recreation.gov/timed-entr...
Book a private tour with Explore Estes:
exploreestes.com/book-now/
Jump To Section:
0:00 - Intro
0:42 - What is the Timed Entry Reservation System
1:24 - When do you need to make a Timed Entry Reservation
2:43 - When to purchase a Timed Entry Reservation
3:55 - How to enter the Rocky Mountain National Park with a Timed Entry Reservation
5:44 - Best practice tips to securing a Timed Entry Reservation
6:39 - How to enter Rocky Mountain National Park without a Timed Entry Reservation
10:05 - Still have questions?
No claim to original U.S. Government works created by the National Park Service. Graphics and photos are shared with credit and for informational use.

[@libbymeli864]

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

[@exploreestes]

So happy you found it helpful!

[@cheriestolze]

Can’t wait to meet you on the tour!

[@exploreestes]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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

[@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

[@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!

[@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.