Rocky Mountain National Park and Eldorado Canyon State Park begin timed-entry bookings May 1, with 2026 reservation rules and windows to plan around.
If you’re planning a 2026 trip to Colorado’s most popular public lands, May 1 is the date to circle on your calendar.
Misryoum reports that timed-entry reservation permits for Rocky Mountain National Park and Eldorado Canyon State Park will begin opening on May 1.. For Rocky Mountain National Park specifically. reservations are set to be required starting May 22. with a structured rollout that lets visitors book in advance for different parts of the park.
The booking system is designed to manage demand during peak season. and it comes with details that can make or break a trip plan.. For example, reservations for May 22 through June 30 can be started at 8 a.m.. MT on May 1. while later months begin releasing on the first day of each month for dates that haven’t filled up yet.
One of the biggest practical takeaways is that Rocky Mountain National Park isn’t a single, uniform entry window.. Misryoum notes there are two reservation options, tied to different areas and different hours of access.. The Bear Lake Road Corridor has its own schedule. and a separate option covers the rest of the park outside that corridor. with each requiring reservations during specific time ranges.
This matters because timed-entry rules shape when and where you can go, not just whether you can get in. In a park that’s popular year after year, securing the right entry window often determines everything from morning hikes to afternoon sightseeing.
Meanwhile, Misryoum says Eldorado Canyon State Park also starts reservations on May 1, running from May 1 through Oct.. 1.. The state park’s timed-entry requirement applies on Saturdays. Sundays. and holidays only. and reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance through its online booking system. with a limited number made available 24 hours ahead.
Looking ahead beyond the two parks, Misryoum also points to additional reservation systems for other well-known Colorado destinations.. Mount Blue Sky is expected to restart reservations for the 2026 season. with the first reservation window anticipated in late spring. while Brainard Lake Recreation Area is also included in the reservation plans for the coming year.
If you want fewer surprises, start early and build your itinerary around the reservation hours rather than assuming park access works the same way as before. As Misryoum’s announcement makes clear, planning ahead is now part of the Colorado experience.