Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry and Tours
Rocky Mountain National Park needs a $2 timed-entry permit on Recreation.gov from 9 am to 2 pm between May 22 and October 12, 2026, and from 5 am to 6 pm for Bear Lake Road through October 18. Permits are released monthly at 8 am MDT and the evening before at 7 pm, and the entrance fee is $30 per vehicle for one day or $35 for seven days. Tours and tickets from resellers start at $129.79 on Viator (8 compared, checked October 19, 2026).
- Timed entry
- $2 permit, 9 am–2 pm, May 22 to Oct 12, 2026
- Bear Lake Road
- 5 am–6 pm through Oct 18
- Vehicle pass
- $30 for 1 day, $35 for 7 days
- Released
- Monthly at 8 am MDT, and 7 pm the night before
- Open today
- All Day (National Park Service)
Rocky Mountain National Park tours compared
The 8 most-reviewed Rocky Mountain National Park tours and tickets on Viator, with starting prices for one adult. Some of these tours are fully sold out on up to 14 of the next 14 days, so book ahead.
| Tour | From | vs official | Rating | Entrance fee included | Hotel pickup | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discover Rocky Mountain National Park-Small Group Tour & Picnic | $215.00 | 7.2× | 4.9 (3,510 reviews) | yes | not stated | See on Viator |
| Rocky Mountain National Park in Summer Tour from Denver | $169.00 | 5.6× | 4.9 (923 reviews) | yes | not stated | See on Viator |
| Rocky Mountain National Park Guided Hiking Adventure | $215.00 | 7.2× | 4.9 (675 reviews) | yes | not stated | See on Viator |
| Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park Tour from Denver Winter and Spring | $149.00 | 5.0× | 4.9 (611 reviews) | yes | yes | See on Viator |
| Rocky Mountain National Park Guided Small Group Tour | $179.00 | 6.0× | 4.9 (498 reviews) | no | yes | See on Viator |
| The Rocky Mountain National Park Safari Tour | $129.79 | 4.3× | 4.9 (429 reviews) | no | not stated | See on Viator |
| Private and Personalized Three Hour Morning Tour of Rocky Mountain National Park | $166.00 | 5.5× | 5.0 (173 reviews) | no | yes | See on Viator |
| Private Three Hour Afternoon Custom Tour of Rocky Mountain National Park | $166.00 | 5.5× | 5.0 (161 reviews) | not stated | yes | See on Viator |
Prices from Viator, checked October 19, 2026. "Not stated" means the tour listing doesn't say; read it before you book. Prices change by date.
Getting there
Around Rocky Mountain National Park:
- No train, subway or light-rail station within 1 mile — most people drive, take a rideshare or a bus.
- 4 public parking lots and garages within 0.6 miles
- Closest airports: Denver International (DEN) 58.5 mi
Directions in Google Maps · View on OpenStreetMap
Straight-line distances from the venue. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Official ticket types and prices
Prices as published by the official seller. “See official site” means the seller only shows that price when you book.
| Ticket | Adult | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Day Vehicle Pass | USD 30.00 per vehicle | One private vehicle, one day |
| 7-Day Vehicle Pass | USD 35.00 per vehicle | One vehicle, 7 consecutive days |
| 1-Day / 7-Day Motorcycle Pass | USD 25.00 (1 day) / USD 30.00 (7 days) | Up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers |
| 1-Day / 7-Day Per Person Pass | USD 15.00 (1 day) / USD 20.00 (7 days) | Individuals, walk-ins, bicycles, non-commercial groups |
| Rocky Mountain Annual Park Pass | USD 70.00 | Entry to RMNP only for 1 year |
| Nonresident fee (2026) | USD 100.00 per person, in addition to entrance fee | Required surcharge for non-US residents |
| Timed Entry / Timed Entry+ Bear Lake Road reservation | USD 2.00 non-refundable Recreation.gov processing fee per reservation | A 2-hour entry window; stay as long as you like once inside |
Reservations and timed entry
Timed Entry: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. daily, May 22-October 12, 2026. Timed Entry+ Bear Lake Road: 5 a.m.-6 p.m., May 22-October 18, 2026. Outside those dates/hours no reservation is needed (entrance pass still required). Recreation.gov (recreation.gov/timed-entry/10086910), Recreation.gov app, or 877-444-6777; not at entrance stations or visitor centers Monthly at 8 a.m. MDT: May 1 (May 22-June 30), June 1 (July), July 1 (August), August 1 (September), September 1 (October 1-18); additional reservations at 7 p.m. MDT the night before arrival USD 2 non-refundable processing fee; reservations non-refundable and non-transferable; holder must be in the vehicle with photo ID and QR code Entry before 9 a.m. or after 2 p.m. (except Bear Lake Road 5 a.m.-6 p.m.); Aspenglen, Glacier Basin and Moraine Park campers (from 1 p.m. on first day); Timber Creek campers (not Bear Lake Road); wilderness overnight permit holders; horseback ride reservations; commercial tours/CUA holders; bicycle visitors. Standard timed entry season ended Oct 12; Timed Entry+ Bear Lake Road runs through Oct 18, 2026.
When tickets sell out
The 7 p.m. MDT day-before release of additional reservations ‘sell out quickly’.
Discounts and free entry
Children under 16 do not need an entrance pass. 2026 fee-free days are for US citizens and residents only. Free Interagency Access Pass for qualifying US citizens/permanent residents with permanent disabilities.
Opening hours
Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, weather permitting (entrance fee required at all hours). Trail Ridge Road is closed to through travel from mid-October to late May.
Travel tips
- Denver to Estes Park via Boulder/Hwy 36: 66 mi (106 km), about 1.5-2 hours.
- Denver via Hwy 66: 71 mi, 1.5-2 hours; via Peak to Peak Scenic Byway: 108 mi, 2.5-3 hours.
- West side (Grand Lake) from I-70 west of Denver: 61 mi, 1.5-2 hours via US 40 and US 34.
- Denver International Airport (DEN) is the closest major airport; no public transport from the airport to the park (commercial shuttles run to Estes Park).
Accessibility
Beaver Meadows Visitor Center has a braille and large-print park map; a 48-page Access Guide is available at visitor centers. Vault toilets have grab bars. Free Interagency Access Pass for qualifying US citizens/permanent residents.
Before you go
- Timed entry reservations are sold only on Recreation.gov and are non-transferable; the holder must be in the vehicle with photo ID, so resold reservations will not work.
- Non-US residents aged 16+ pay a USD 100 nonresident fee on top of the entrance fee in 2026 unless holding an annual pass.
- Trail Ridge Road closes to through travel from mid-October to late May.
- Reservations are non-refundable.
Best time to visit
Crowds peak late spring through fall and on winter weekends. Entering before 9 a.m. or after 2 p.m. avoids the need for a standard timed entry reservation during the season.
Good to know
Do I need a timed entry reservation for Rocky Mountain National Park?
How much does it cost to enter Rocky Mountain National Park?
Is there an extra fee for international visitors?
When are timed entry reservations released?
Is Trail Ridge Road open in October?
How far is Rocky Mountain National Park from Denver?
How do I get to Rocky Mountain National Park by public transit?
What is the closest airport to Rocky Mountain National Park?
Is there parking near Rocky Mountain National Park?
Sources: nps.gov, recreation.gov, nps.gov: fees. Official facts checked October 17, 2026.