Rocky Mountain National Park’s 415 square miles (265,807 acres) encompasses a spectacular range of mountain environments. From meadows found in the montane life zone to glistening alpine lakes and up to the towering mountain peaks, there is something for everyone to discover. Along the way explore over 300 miles of hiking trails and incredible wildlife viewing.
Top tip
Plan Your Trip.
- Fall is a magical time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park.
- Take a scenic drive on Trail Ridge Road, Old Fall River Road, and Bear Lake Road and enjoy the colorful transition of the aspen leaves as they change from green to gold, orange, and red. Safely watch wildlife from a distance and listen to the incredible sounds of bungling elk during mating season.
There is something for everyone to enjoy during the fall season in Rocky Mountain National Park.
- Timed Entry Permit Reservations are required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park between May 27 and October 10, 2022
Timed Entry Permit Reservations are in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for all areas of the park outside of the Bear Lake Road Corridor. To visit destinations along Bear Lake Road, like Bear Lake, Sprague Lake, and Moraine Park, Timed Entry Permits are in effect from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Permit holders must initially enter Rocky Mountain National Park during their 2-hour entrance window. If you have a Park Access + Bear Lake Road Timed Entry Permit, you must enter both the main entrance to the park and the Bear Lake Road entrance within your reserved 2-hour entrance window. This means that if someone books a Timed Entry Permit for 7 a.m. – 9 a.m., they must enter Rocky Mountain National Park within this window of time.
Timed Entry Permit holders may exit RMNP and return as needed. Please keep in mind that the 2-hour timed entry windows have been established, based on traffic data, to spread visitation out throughout the day to help minimize traffic congestion, lack of parking, visitor crowding, and negative resource impacts at trailheads and throughout the park.
Timed Entry Permit Reservations are only available through Recreation.gov. To book your Timed Entry Permit click on the following website link: www.recreation.gov.
Two things are required to enter Rocky Mountain National Park:
- A Timed Entry Permit or a reservation with a service, such as an in-park camping reservation, horseback riding reservation, or commercial tours (Service Reservation)
- Plus a Park Pass or Entrance Fee for your vehicle.
