Your guide to visiting Rocky Mountain National Park
If you’re planning a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park this summer or fall, we at Titus Adventure Company are here to help. We’ve put together some important information for your next trip into RMNP so that you can spend less time researching and planning, and more time enjoying. We think that whether you’re a local who has already been to the park or a traveler who’s looking forward to their first visit, there’s some valuable information for you below.
RMNP is an extremely popular park for its size, and for good reason. This national park brings in over 4 million visitors annually since 2021 with a surge in visitation happening between May and October each year. Visitors come from all ends of the earth to RMNP to fish, paint, hike, camp, backpack, climb, cycle, and (as of late), wait in line. Thankfully, the National Park Service has noticed the surge in visitation over the past few years, and like a number of other popular parks, they’ve implemented a timed-entry system.
The Diamond on Longs Peak as seen from Chasm Lake
Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry System explained
Seems inconvenient at first.
Timed Entry applies to most of the park (some of the park can be accessed without visiting entrance booths)
When does timed entry apply? May 24th - October 14th (2024)
There are two types of Timed Entry Permits are Available:
Timed Entry
Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road
3 things are necessary for entrance into RMNP during the timed entry window:
Park Pass or Entrance Fee (our recommendation is to get the annual pass)
Arrive during your time slot
You can make your timed entry reservation one of two times. Because these “plan ahead” times are super competitive, it’s good practice to have your computer ready with the webpage ready to refresh at the opening bell.
On the First of the month, at 8 am MDT, one month prior to the Reservation window. For example: If you’re hoping to travel to RMNP in July, you’ll need to make a reservation at 8am on June 1st for your July entry date. If you miss this “plan ahead” day:
“40 percent of available timed entry permits will be released first-come, first-served on Recreation.gov at 7 p.m. on the night before a desired arrival date, beginning on the evening of May 23.” - quoted from the NPS website.
If you don’t manage to get a timed entry slot either a month in advance or the day prior to your visit, you can still get into the park either before or after the timed-entry windows.
For general park entrance, you can enter either before 9am or after 2pm without a timed entry permit.
For the bear lake corridor, you can enter before 5am or after 6pm.
If you find yourself in this position, get to the park earlier than anticipated because lines can form quite early.
If this all seems confusing and a bit convoluted, you’re not the only one who feels this way. Titus Adventure Company specializes in helping travelers navigate this bureaucracy so that you can focus on showing up and being present for adventure. We’re here to make your travels enjoyable, as well as give you some deeper insights into where you’ll be traveling. Here are some other helpful things to know:
Basic Info for RMNP
Seasons to visit, East vs West sides, Bear Lake Corridor, and the Shuttle Systems
When to visit RMNP
Winter & Spring in Rocky are the slowest seasons for visitation, but are certainly worth the visit. Snowshoeing and backcountry skiing are among the most popular activities alongside photography and stargazing. Snowy trees and trails leave you feeling like you’re in a backcountry fairytale wonderland.
Summer in RMNP is when the days are long and the crowds are large. All of the alpine lakes are accessible and the camping is at its prime. The wildlife in the summer is in full bloom, so make sure to take advantage of the long days by seeing as much fauna as possible.
Fall is an under-appreciated season in RMNP. By September most children are back in school so the family visitation that plagues the park during the summer is long gone. Folks who visit in the Fall have the benefits of less crowded trails and parking, but also see the aspen groves change colors. If you’re lucky, you can catch the elk rut when the males who aspire to find a harem fight between themselves to stave off competition.
East side vs West Side
The park is generally divided into East and West sides. The main dividing feature is the continental divide which divides watersheds.
The east side generally sees more visitation than the west side, so if you’re goal is to avoid crowds, go west.
Trail Ridge Road connects the two sides of the park with a continuously paved scenic road and is a visitor favorite, but is only drivable during the summer . Make sure to stop at the Alpine Visitor Center when you drive TRR
East Side & Bear Lake Corridor
On the east side of the park, the bear lake corridor sees the highest percentage of the overall park visitation. This is because of the scenic locations, ease of access, and helpful shuttle systems.
If you’re hoping to stay close to the roads and not venture too far into the backcountry, you’re likely to be within sniffing distance of other visitors the whole time.
Access to and within RMNP via Shuttles and public transportation
For access within the park, Bear Lake and Moraine Park shuttle service aims to curb vehicle congestion within the busier parts of the park. Daily service for summer 2024 begins May 24 through October 20. Check the shuttle page above for specific stops and planned timing along the routes.
For getting into RMNP from Estes Park, look into The Hiker Shuttle
This provides summer seasonal service to passengers from the Estes Park Visitor Center to Rocky Mountain National Park's Park & Ride Transit Hub, located on Bear Lake Road, and back.
Hiker shuttle tickets must be reserved in advance via rec.gov and require a $2 processing fee for each reservation
Our Favorite Hikes
If you’re looking to venture a bit further off the beaten track, as we do, consider some of our favorite hikes:
Hard
13.3 miles out and back
Only 14er in Rocky Mountain National Park
Hard
11.5 miles out and back
Great long day hike with climbing at the end of Glacier Gorge
Hard
19.7 miles out and back
Great fishing and beginner backpacking route
Moderate
4 miles out and back
Incredible blue water
Moderate
5.6 miles Round Trip
Keep an eye out and maybe you can find a moose!
Rocky Mountain National Park Camping
Car Camping
There are ample campgrounds in and just outside RMNP which can provide you with an ideal jump-off for a full day adventure.
If you don’t have any luck booking within RMNP for your upcoming visit, there are over a dozen private campgrounds close to the parks’ many entrances.
Check out some free dispersed campsites in the surrounding national forest. Most are at least 30-45min from the park however.
Backcountry Camping
Backpacking into the RMNP wilderness areas requires a special permit and additional reservation for the site you’re planning to camp at. Plan ahead for these permits and reservations as sites are limited and very competitive.
Rent a camper
Traveling without camping gear or are less than comfortable planning this type of adventure on your own? Take a look at Titus Adventure Company’s lineup. With campers suitable for any season of adventure, you’ll be sure to visit Rocky Mountain National Park in comfort and style.
Once again, we love helping folks plan their next adventure. Consider reaching out with questions or assistance in planning your upcoming trip!
