Do I need a permit to hike Rocky Mountain Timed Entry?
Yes. You need a permit to hike Rocky Mountain Timed Entry in Rocky Mountain National Park. It is the Rocky Mountain Timed Entry Reservation, and it is issued first come, first served rather than by lottery.
Permit required
What the Rocky Mountain Timed Entry permit costs and covers
- Fee
- $2 Recreation.gov processing fee
- Season starts
- May 22
- Season ends
- October 18
What the rules require
- Timed entry required 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, May 22 through October 12, 2026
- The Bear Lake Road corridor requires the Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road reservation, 5 a.m. to 6 p.m., May 22 through October 18, 2026
- You must enter within your designated 2-hour window; miss it on Bear Lake Road and you are turned around until after 2 p.m.
- Bear Lake Road corridor re-entry is only allowed after 2 p.m.
- Reservations are non-refundable and non-transferable
- Cancellations are accepted up to 24 hours before the visit
- Reservations can only be made on Recreation.gov, not at visitor centers or entrance stations
Published rules for the Rocky Mountain Timed Entry Reservation, quoted as written.
Getting one
Dates for Rocky Mountain Timed Entry sell out and then come back as people cancel. PermitSnag watches Rocky Mountain Timed Entry Reservation and sends you an alert the moment one reappears.
Common questions about the Rocky Mountain Timed Entry permit
Do I need a permit to hike Rocky Mountain Timed Entry?
Yes. You need a permit to hike Rocky Mountain Timed Entry in Rocky Mountain National Park. It is the Rocky Mountain Timed Entry Reservation, and it is issued first come, first served rather than by lottery.
How much does a Rocky Mountain Timed Entry permit cost?
$2 Recreation.gov processing fee.
When is the Rocky Mountain Timed Entry permit season?
Season starts: May 22. Season ends: October 18.