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Wildlife in RMNP

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Omnibus

Omnibus

Come with plan, reservation for visit to Rocky Mountain National Park

By Tim Mosier

Trail-Gazette

In 2019, Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) was one of the most visited national parks in the countr y, 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 par take in outstanding recreational activities.

Park operations and ser vices will look dif ferent 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 ser vices 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. Phase Two – Timed Entry System Effective June 4

To increase park access while providing the public a reasonable oppor tunity to comply with health guidelines, the park will temporarily implement a timed entr y system ef fective at the beginning of Phase Two on June 4.

The park will cease using this system in later phases of the reopening.

“We are eager to welcome visitors back to their national park,” said Superintendent Darla Sidles. “This system will more safely manage the pace and flow of visitor use, reduce crowding, and pro-

Moose are among the many species of wildlife visitors see in the park.

Rick Martinez / Courtesy photo

vide an improved visitor experience in alignment with the park’s safe operational capacity.”

Reser vations to enter the park went on sale through www.recreation.gov at 8 a.m. Mountain Time on Thursday, May 28. Reser vations will be available to enter the park from June 4 through July 31. The next release will be on July 1, for the month of August and any remaining days that have not been booked for July.

On August 1, reser vations will be available for the month of September and any remaining days that have not been booked for August. On September 1, reser vations will be available for the month of October and any remaining days in September that have not been booked.

Permits issued using the reser vation system will allow park visitors to enter the park within two-hour windows 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 staf f 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 ser vices will continue to be posted on the park’s of ficial website at www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Information Of fice 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 crowding and high-risk outdoor activities. Please don’t visit if you are sick or were recently exposed to COVID-19. Park staf f 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 necessar y 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

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