Hiking Trail in Rocky Mountaion National Park
RMNP Hiking Trail

2026 Guide: Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry Reservations


Planning a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) from Granby this summer? To manage peak season crowds and protect the park's ecosystem, a Timed Entry Permit is required for all vehicle entries from May 22 - October 19, 2026 between the hours of 9am - 2pm for general entry and  5am - 6pm for the Bear Lake Corridor.

 

2026 Reservation Dates & Hours


There are two distinct permit types depending on which areas of the park you plan to explore:

Option 1: Park Access (Excludes Bear Lake Road)

  • Required: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM daily.
  • Best for: Driving Trail Ridge Road, visiting Grand Lake/Granby entrances, and East Side destinations like Wild Basin.
  • End Date: October 13, 2026

Option 2: Park Access + Bear Lake Road Corridor

  • Required: 5:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily.
  • Best for: Popular trailheads like Dream Lake, Alberta Falls, and Bear Lake.
  • End Date: October 19, 2026

Note: Permits are issued in two-hour entry windows. Once you enter, you may stay in the park as long as you like.

 

How to Get Your Timed Entry Permit


The only way to secure a permit is through Recreation.gov.

  1. Create an Account: Visit Recreation.gov and sign up in advance.
  2. Book Your Time: Search for "Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry."
  3. Pay the Fee: There is a non-refundable $2 processing fee per reservation. This is separate from your Park Entrance Fee or Lifetime Pass.

 

2026 Reservation Release Schedule


Reservations open at 8:00 AM Mountain Time on the first of each month for the following month's block. We recommend setting a calendar reminder for these dates:

  • May 1: Reservations open for May 22 through June 30.
  • June 1: Reservations open for the month of July and any remaining June dates.
  • July 1: Reservations open for the month of August and any remaining July dates.
  • August 1: Reservations open for the month of September and any remaining August dates.
  • September 1: Reservations open for the month of October and any remaining September dates.


2026 Fee Free Days


On these dates, the entrance fee is waived. However, please note that Timed Entry Reservations are still required during the hours listed above.