Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park has timed entry permit reservations

By Rocky Mountain National Park

For the Trail-Gazette

Rocky Mountain National Park implemented a new pilot temporar y timed entr y permit reser vation system on May 28. Park staff are managing for significant increases in visitation to public lands in Colorado, including Rocky Mountain National Park, along with continued COVID-19 concerns, ongoing park seasonal staff shared housing challenges, reduced shuttle bus capacity and residual fire impacts in some areas of the park from historic fires in 2020.

There are two types of reser vations available. One permit is for the Bear Lake Road Corridor, which will include the entire corridor and access to the rest of the park. This reser vation period will be from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. The second permit will be for the rest of Rocky Mountain National Park, excluding the Bear Lake Road corridor. This reser vation period will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Permits issued using the reser vation system will allow park visitors to enter the park within two-hour windows of availability. The reser vation system will apply to all areas of the park.

Reser vations to enter the park are on sale through www.recreation.gov. The next release of reser vations will be on June 1, for the month of July and any remaining days that have not been booked for

June.

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

Initially, 25 percent of permits will be held and available for purchase the day prior at 5 p.m. through recreation.gov. These are expected to sell out quickly and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead when possible.

This year’s pilot reser vation system allows for a greater number of reser vations per day. Reser vations will be based on approximately 75 percent to 85 percent of the park’s total parking capacity. Last year’s system was based on approximately 60 percent of the park’s total parking capacity. This system spreads use throughout the park to better utilize all parking/trailhead areas. This system will be adaptable to changes in visitation trends and public health concerns.

Last year, after being closed for two months amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Rocky Mountain National Park reopened in late May and was the first national park in the country to implement a temporary timed entry permit system to increase park access while providing the public a reasonable opportunity to comply with health guidelines. That timed entr y permit system ended on October 12, 2020.

In 2020, Rocky Mountain National Park was the fourth most visited national park in the country with a 28 percent increase in visitation in November and a 38 percent increase in visitation in December over those months in 2019.

In February, to protect the health of those who live, work, and visit national parks and National Park Ser vice (NPS) facilities, and in support of President Biden’s Executive Order on Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing the NPS implemented a mask requirement for employees, visitors, partners and contractors. At Rocky Mountain National Park, face masks are required in all park buildings and facilities. Masks are also required on NPS-managed lands when physical distancing cannot be maintained, including narrow or busy trails, parking lots, pull-offs and overlooks.

When recreating, park visitors should follow local area and federal health orders, maintain social distance and avoid high-risk outdoor activities. Please do not 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 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, a mask is required. Face See ROCKY, pg. 18

File photo / Estes Park Trail-Gazette In 2020, Rocky Mountain National Park was the fourth most visited national park in the country.