Rocky Mountain National Park — Visitor Information

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Rocky Mountain is one of the busiest national parks in the country, and from late May through mid-October it runs a timed entry reservation system — separate from your entrance pass — to manage crowds. Here's what to know before you go.

Page content last verified: July 2026

Check current conditions before you go: Trail Ridge Road status, trail conditions, and wildlife-protection area closures change quickly — always check the official Rocky Mountain Alerts & Conditions page first.
Quick Facts
Location
Estes Park, Colorado
Entrance Fee
$35 / vehicle, 7 days
Reservation Needed to Enter?
Yes — timed entry, late May–mid-Oct, 9am–2pm
Payment
Cashless — credit/debit only
Permit Needed For
Overnight wilderness camping
Lodging
None in-park — stay in Estes Park or Grand Lake

Visitor Centers

Tap a visitor center for its official NPS hours & facility info.

Beaver Meadows Visitor Center
Near the east-side entrance by Estes Park — the park's main hub, open year-round.
Alpine Visitor Center
At the summit of Trail Ridge Road — one of the highest visitor centers in the National Park System, open only in summer.
Kawuneeche Visitor Center
On the west side near Grand Lake — open year-round.

Hours vary seasonally — confirm current hours on the official NPS visitor centers page before you go.

Entrance Fees & Passes

Every vehicle entering Rocky Mountain needs a park pass — the park is cashless, so bring a credit or debit card. A valid pass is required 24/7, including at outlying areas like Wild Basin, Longs Peak, and Lumpy Ridge.

  • Private vehicle: $30 (1-day) or $35 (7-day)
  • Motorcycle: $25 (1-day) or $30 (7-day)
  • Per person (on foot/bike, age 16+): $15 (1-day) or $20 (7-day)
  • Rocky Mountain Annual Pass: $70 (Rocky Mountain only)
  • America the Beautiful Annual Pass: $80 — covers Rocky Mountain and every other federal fee site

Note: non-U.S. residents (age 16+) pay an additional $100/person fee unless entering with an Annual or America the Beautiful pass.

Free Entrance Days (2026)

Feb 16 · May 25 · Jun 14 · Jul 3–5 · Aug 25 (NPS's 110th birthday) · Sep 17 · Oct 27 · Nov 11 (timed entry reservations may still be required on these dates)

Every Kid Outdoors — Free 4th Grade Pass

Every U.S. 4th grader (and their family, in the same vehicle) can get a free annual pass covering entrance to Rocky Mountain and every other federal fee site. Get it at everykidoutdoors.gov or at any entrance station.

Timed Entry Reservations

From Friday, May 22 through Monday, October 12, 2026, a timed entry reservation is required to enter the park between 9am and 2pm — separate from (and in addition to) your entrance pass. You can enter before 9am or after 2pm with no reservation.

  • Timed Entry: covers everything except the Bear Lake Road corridor
  • Timed Entry+ Bear Lake Road: also covers Moraine Park, Sprague Lake, Glacier Gorge Trailhead, and Bear Lake, required 5am–6pm through Oct 18, 2026

Reservations cost a $2 non-refundable processing fee and release on a rolling monthly schedule, plus a batch at 7pm the night before each date.

Permits & Reservations

Wilderness Camping

Any overnight stay in the backcountry requires a wilderness permit from the park's Wilderness Office — note that a wilderness permit does not exempt you from a timed entry reservation if you're entering during restricted hours.

Campgrounds & RV Options

There's no indoor lodging inside the park — nearby lodging is in Estes Park or Grand Lake. Rocky Mountain has 5 developed campgrounds; all but one require reservations via recreation.gov. RV length limits and fees change year to year — use the links below for current details.

Moraine Park Campground
East side, near Beaver Meadows entrance. The only campground open for winter camping (Oct 20–May 18); summer season runs May 21–Oct 19. Reservation required via recreation.gov. Check current RV length limits.
Aspenglen Campground
East side, near the Fall River entrance. Summer only, May 21–Sep 28. Reservation required via recreation.gov. Check current RV length limits.
Glacier Basin Campground
East side, near Bear Lake Road. Summer only, May 21–Sep 8. Has group sites in addition to standard sites. Reservation required via recreation.gov. Check current RV length limits.
Timber Creek Campground
West side, near Grand Lake — the only campground on the park's west side. Summer only, May 21–Aug 10. Reservation required via recreation.gov. Check current RV length limits.
Longs Peak Campground
Near the Longs Peak trailhead. Tents only, no water available, no RVs. Seasonal, Jul 2–Sep 8. The only first-come, first-served campground in the park — no reservation possible.

Good to Know

  • No in-park lodging: plan to stay in Estes Park (east side) or Grand Lake (west side).
  • Trail Ridge Road: the highest continuous paved road in the U.S., typically open Memorial Day through mid-October depending on snow.
  • Altitude: much of the park sits above 8,000 feet — pace yourself and watch for signs of altitude sickness.
  • Pets: not allowed on any park trails, only in developed areas like campgrounds and parking lots.

More National Parks

See our other National Park visitor guides, or browse the full National Parks guide.

Timed entry rules, fees, and road opening dates change from year to year — the timed entry system itself is only a few years old and its structure has changed between seasons. This page is a starting point for trip planning — always confirm current details on the official Rocky Mountain National Park site before you go.

Sources: NPS – Fees & Passes · NPS – Timed Entry Permit System · NPS – Visitor Centers · NPS – Permits & Reservations · NPS – Campgrounds · NPS – Current Conditions & Alerts