The summer of 2020 is guaranteed to be like no other. And if you’re planning on visiting Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) during peak hours in June, July, or August of 2020 you will now be REQUIRED to have a reservation to gain entry. Reservations are immediately available for June and July. If you’re planning to visit in August, you will have to wait until July 1st to make your reservation.

Your reservations can be made now on Recreation.gov if you already know your planned date and time of entry. You will be required to purchase your RMNP pass or enter your annual pass number. For us, it was easy to enter in our 4th grade Every Kid Outdoors pass. You will also have to pick a time based on the day’s available times. As of this writing, there are still several hundred times available on randomly selected days including the 4th of July weekend.

*Reminder: these reservations are only necessary for peak hours - if you plan to enter before 6:00 am or after 5:00 pm, you will not need a reservation.

Don’t forget to bring your printed reservation with you or have a screenshot already on your phone, do not rely on cell phone service in the park.

For folks without reservations, you will be denied entry into RMNP. Please be sure to plan ahead.

If you are camping, inside RMNP this is what I found out: “Visitors with campground reservations and wilderness camping permits will use those permits as their timed entry reservations. You may enter the park on the first day of your camping reservation. Entrance fees apply and can be paid at the entrance station. Visitors must have these camping permits in advance. There will be no same day sales at the park’s campgrounds. Visitors must have their camping reservation confirmation visible.”

It is unclear at this time if the reservation system will continue through the remainder of 2020, but the site does mention checking back one month before your planned trip to RMNP. For the best information please refer to Recreation.gov.