Come with plan, reservation for visit to Rocky Mountain National Park By Tim Mosier Trail-Gazette
n 2019, Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) was one of the most visited national parks in the country, with over 4.6 million visitors. Over the last 100 years, the reasons people come to RMNP to visit remain the same; to experience nature, to seek solitude, to enjoy scenic grandeur, to watch wildlife, and to partake in outstanding recreational activities. Park operations and services will look different in 2020 due to COVID-19. While much of the park will be accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services will be limited. Park visitor’s actions will help determine if areas remain open. In the first phase, from May 27 through June 3, the park has reopened many outlying areas and basic park road and trail access.
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Rick Martinez / Courtesy photo
Moose are among the many species of wildlife visitors see in the park.
vide an improved visitor experience in alignment with the park’s safe operational capacity.” Reservations to enter the park went on sale through www.recreation.gov at 8 a.m. Mountain Time on Thursday, May 28. Reservations will be Phase Two – Timed available to enter the park Entry System from June 4 through July 31. The next release will be on Effective June 4 July 1, for the month of To increase park access August and any remaining while providing the public a days that have not been reasonable opportunity to booked for July. comply with health guideOn August 1, reservations lines, the park will temporariwill be available for the ly implement a timed entry system effective at the begin- month of September and any ning of Phase Two on June 4. remaining days that have not been booked for August. On The park will cease using this system in later phases of September 1, reservations will be available for the the reopening. “We are eager to welcome month of October and any visitors back to their national remaining days in September that have not been booked. park,” said Superintendent Permits issued using Darla Sidles. “This system the reservation system will will more safely manage the allow park visitors to enter pace and flow of visitor use, the park within two-hour winreduce crowding, and pro6 • 2020 Estes Park Trail-Gazette Vacation Edition
dows of availability between 6 a.m. through 5 p.m. This process will facilitate advance payment of entrance fees, minimize contact between park entrance station staff and visitors and limit congestion in parking lots. The permit system will apply to all areas of the park. During Phase Two, the park will open approximately 60 percent of the park’s maximum parking capacity or 4,800 vehicles (13,500 visitors) per day. Details and updates on park operations and services will continue to be posted on the park’s official website at www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206. For information on Trail Ridge Road, call the Trail Ridge Road status recorded phone line at (970) 586-1222. When recreating, park visitors should follow local area health orders, avoid crowd-
ing and high-risk outdoor activities. Please don’t visit if you are sick or were recently exposed to COVID-19. Park staff will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.
Keep your distance Give others plenty of room whether you are on a trail or in a parking lot. If staying at least six feet from others is not possible, wear a cloth face covering. Wear cloth face coverings while in park restrooms.
Keep it with you If you brought it, take it with you. Trash pickup and restroom facilities will continue to be limited in many park areas. Follow Leave No Trace principles. See Rocky, pg. 28
