Visitors planning an early summer trip to Rocky Mountain National Park have a short window to secure their spot this week, with the first batch of timed entry reservations for the 2026 season going on sale this Friday, May 1st, at 8am MDT on Recreation.gov. Reservations released Friday will cover entry dates from May 22nd through June 30th.
The timed entry requirement kicks in May 22nd and runs through mid-October, applying to all areas of the park during certain hours. Visitors can choose between two reservation types: a standard Timed Entry reservation covers the full park, excluding the Bear Lake Road Corridor, while a Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road reservation adds access to that corridor, home to some of the park’s most popular destinations including Bear Lake, Glacier Gorge Trailhead, Moraine Park, and Sprague Lake.
Standard reservations are required between 9am and 2pm daily. The Bear Lake Road window is longer, covering 5am to 6pm. Visitors who arrive outside those windows do not need a reservation to enter. Each reservation allows entry within a two-hour window, with no limit on how long visitors can stay once inside.
The processing fee is $2 per reservation, non-refundable, and reservations can only be made through Recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. They are not available at park entrances.
After Friday’s release, additional monthly batches will drop on the first of each month through September. A small number of next-day reservations will also be released each evening at 7pm MDT, though those are expected to go fast.
Anyone with summer plans in Rocky Mountain National Park should act quickly Friday morning. The park drew a 44 percent increase in visitation over the past 11 years, and the most sought-after reservation windows are unlikely to last long.
