Rocky Mountain National Park’s timed-entry reservation system goes into effect on Friday, with other seasonal reservation requirements on public lands soon to follow.
Mount Evans Road and the entrance gate to Brainard Lake Recreation Area are still closed, but when they reopen reservations will be required. Mount Evans could open as early as this weekend.
Weekend reservations for parking at Eldorado Canyon State Park went into effect this past weekend. They will also be needed on Memorial Day and other holidays throughout the summer.
Here’s a roundup of things you need to know if you want to visit these areas:
Timed entry to Rocky Mountain National Park: As in previous years, visitors have the choice between two booking options. Entrance reservations for the entire park, except for the Bear Lake Corridor, are required from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservations for the entire park, including Bear Lake, are required from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Reservations are made through Recreation.gov. Reservations for May and June go on sale May 1. Reservations for July, August, September and October go on sale the first day of the previous month. Park officials say 40% of all reservations are canceled by 5 p.m. the day before entry. The reservation requirement will be in effect until October 22. Reservations are $2 and do not cover the cost of admission, which is $30 per vehicle. Details are available on Recreation.gov or the park’s website. From June 1, the park will switch to a cashless entry system, which means you will need a credit card or mobile payment option. However, permits can be purchased for cash at visitor centers just outside the park gates. They can also be purchased in advance through Recreation.gov.
Rocky Mountain National Park Hiker Shuttle: Shuttles from the Estes Park Visitor Center to the park will begin operating Friday. The service is free but reservations are required and there is a $2 processing fee. Visitors accessing the park must still pay the park entrance fee. For more information, visit the park’s website.
Mount Evans Road: Reservations are available now at Recreation.gov. The road over Echo Lake is not yet open, but CDOT crews have been working on snow removal and it is expected to be open any day now. Reservations can be made 30 days in advance. Because the road is a state highway, visitors can legally use the road without a reservation, but reservations are required to park in the Mount Goliath Natural Area, Summit Lake Park, and the Summit between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Brainard Lake Recreation Area: The front door is not expected to open until the second week of June. When this is the case, reservations will be required through Recreation.gov for motorists to enter. Reservations are not required to park at the nearby Gateway Trailhead and walk around the park. The lake is about 2 miles from the front door. Cyclists can also enter without a reservation.
Bus service from the Front Range towns to Estes Park: CDOT’s annual Bustang service to Estes Park will begin service on Saturday. Buses depart from Union Station in Denver with stops in Westminster, Broomfield, Boulder, and Lyon, terminating at the Estes Park Visitor Center. The service will operate on weekends and public holidays with two departures in the morning and two returns in the afternoon. Park entry fees are required, but timed entry reservations are not. Round-trip tickets cost $15 and are available at ridebustang.com.
Eldorado Canyon State Park: Timed reservations are required for weekend and holiday parking. Another option for entering the park on weekends and holidays is a free shuttle service from several locations in Boulder. For more information on shuttle or timed entry reservations, visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.
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