Timed-entry reservations for Rocky Mountain National Park and Eldora Canyon State Park open May 1, with more Colorado sites following.
A calendar reminder just dropped for Colorado travelers: timed-entry reservations for Rocky Mountain National Park kick off on May 1.
Misryoum reports that the first window begins at 8 a.m.. Mountain Time on May 1, when permits for Rocky Mountain National Park become available for visits from May 22 through June 30.. After that initial launch. reservations for later months are released on the first day of each month for remaining availability and the full next month.
This matters because planning ahead is now part of the park experience for many visitors, shaping when and how people can actually access popular areas.
For the 2026 season, reservations are required for most areas of Rocky Mountain National Park from May 22 through Oct.. 13, with one key exception: the Bear Lake Road corridor extends the reservation requirement through Oct.. 18.. Misryoum notes that how you choose to reserve affects the hours of access.. Corridor-inclusive reservations cover both the corridor and the rest of the park and are required from 5 a.m.. to 6 p.m., while an option that includes the park excluding the Bear Lake corridor requires reservations from 9 a.m.. to 2 p.m.
It also helps to understand when you can enter without a timed-entry permit. Misryoum says visitors do not need a timed-entry reservation for entering before or after the restricted hours for the Bear Lake Road corridor and the rest of the park, though standard entrance fees still apply.
Meanwhile, making the right reservation choice can prevent last-minute confusion, especially for travelers who plan to start early or stay later than the corridor window.
Eldora Canyon State Park has its own schedule.. Timed-entry reservations for Eldora Canyon State Park run May 1 through Oct.. 1, with bookings available 30 days in advance through a state shop site.. Misryoum adds that a limited number of reserved entries can be made available 24 hours ahead. and reservations are required only on Saturdays. Sundays. and holidays.. Those reservations cannot be booked in person at the park entrance or visitor center.
Beyond Rocky Mountain National Park and Eldora Canyon, Misryoum also points to other high-demand public lands with changing access plans.. Mount Blue Sky. formerly known as Mount Evans. is expected to reopen during Memorial Day weekend in 2026. with reservations anticipated to go live in early to mid-May for the first available dates on May 22.. Brainard Lake Recreation Area follows a rolling release approach, with first reservations starting May 30 at 8 a.m.. Mountain Time and validity tied specifically to the date, time, and parking lot listed on each reservation.
At a time when demand routinely outpaces capacity, these reservation systems are becoming a practical filter for seasonal travel. The best way to avoid missed opportunities is to match your plans to the release timing and the exact access requirements for each site.