Just over one hour away from Denver, Rocky Mountain National Park is not only incredibly easy to reach, but it’s also one of Colorado’s most renowned destinations. Whether you’re planning to summit the park’s highest peaks or embarking on a majestic fall foliage excursion, a camper van trip to the Rocky Mountains is guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience.

Because of its increasing popularity in recent years, Rocky Mountain National Park reservations are now required from May through mid-Octobter. To ensure that your trip goes off without a hitch, we’ve outlined how the park’s permit system works, why it’s necessary, and exactly how to plan your own Rocky Mountain road trip!

Are Reservations Needed to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park?

From November through the first half of May, reservations for Rocky Mountain National Park are not necessary. However, if your trip falls between May 23 and mid-October, then you may need to obtain a Timed Entry Permit. 

Travelers visiting the park during the peak season will have two different permit options to choose from:

Timed Entry: From May 23 until October 13, a timed entry permit is required to enter the park from 9am-2pm. This permit allows access to all areas of the park, aside from the Bear Lake Road Corridor. 

Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road: This reservation option allows for access to all areas of the park, including the Bear Lake Road Corridor. This permit goes into effect from 5am until 6pm, from May 23 through October 19. Because of Bear Lake Road’s popularity, this is generally the more difficult permit to obtain.

Visitors will have a two-hour time window to enter the park and are welcome to stay inside for as long as they’d like.

Why are Timed Entry Permits Necessary?

Rocky Mountain National Park’s popularity has skyrocketed in recent years, leading to far more congestion and overcrowding throughout the park. To minimize the effects of this dramatic increase in visitors and help protect the park’s resources, a Timed Entry Permit system has been implemented during the busy season. 

While obtaining permits requires an extra step during trip planning, the result is a far more enjoyable experience at the park’s most popular trails and overlooks.

How to Obtain Rocky Mountain National Park Reservations

All Rocky Mountain National Park reservations can be made by visiting the recereation.gov website. Timed Entry Permits are released at the start of each month (from May through September) for the following month. So on June 1st, tickets for July 1-30 are released, and so on.

Permits are sold on a first come, first served basis and the reservation fee is $2. However, you will still need to pay the separate park entrance fee, which is $35 for a 7-day vehicle pass. If your visit to the Rocky Mountains is part of a larger Colorado national parks tour, then you may want to grab an America the Beautiful Pass to save on park entrance costs.

If you’re not able to book permits in advance, a limited number of next-day reservations are available on a first come, first served basis. These will go on sale at 7pm the night before your desired arrival date.

What If You Can’t Obtain a Timed Entry Permit?

Timed Entry Permits are only required from 9am- 2pm (without Bear Lake Corridor access), so as long as you enter the park before or after that time frame, then you won’t need a permit.

Additionally, if you’ve reserved a campsite inside the park, then a Timed Entry Permit is automatically included in your booking. You’ll just need to wait until 1pm to enter the park, as this is when the check in time for park campgrounds begins.

Rocky Mountain National Park Campground Reservations

Rocky Mountain National Park has several camper van friendly campgrounds to choose from, including Aspenglen, Glacier Basin, and Timber Creek. All three automatically include Timed Entry Permits with their reservations, with both Glacier Basin and Aspenglen allowing access to the coveted Bear Lake Road Corridor.

All three sites require advanced reservations, which can be made on a 6-month rolling basis. While Glacier Basin and Timber Creek only operate from May through September, Aspenglen is open year-round and becomes first come, first served from October until May.

All of Rocky Mountain National Park’s campgrounds offer similar amenities, including food storage lockers, dump stations, fire grates, and potable water. 

Explore Rocky Mountain National Park with Escape Camper Vans

Now that you understand exactly how to book your Rocky Mountain National Park reservations, the fun part can begin! Plan which hikes you’ll embark on first, pick up your Escape Camper Van from our Denver hub, and don’t forget to reserve your Timed Entry Permit! Click the button below to book your dream camper van and get ready to embark on the ultimate Rocky Mountain National Park adventure!