Reservation Entry RMNP 2021

[Thom02099]

Looks like Rocky Mountain National Park is going to re-institute the reservation system for timed entry again in 2021. This time with 2 tiers - One for the entire park and one minus the Bear Lake Road corridor. H E R E Estes Park Local Newspaper is the most recent information provided. Starts May 28, 2021 for the Memorial Day weekend and runs thru October 11, 2021.

[lewisr]

Just make the reservation well in advance for the earliest time. You can get in anytime after your reservation time. At least that's how it worked in June last year. Also, I'd suggest staying in Grand Lake, not Estes Park.

[Thom02099]

As the article quoted points out, the hours where a reservation are required are not as restrictive as in 2020. For general entry into Rocky, reserve entry is between 9am and 3pm, with the Bear Lake Road corridor 6am to 5pm. This is an improvement over last year. The capacity for parking lots and the shuttle system has also been increased.

In spite of the reservation system, Rocky still remains a popular destination. The system was put in place in 2020 in response to Covid-19 restrictions and guidelines. They are continuing those restrictions, albeit not as restrictive, again this year. And as the year progresses, it could be that the restrictions are evaluated on a rolling basis and some changes may occur.

Personally, I didn't have a problem getting a reservation for the times that I wanted to get in last year. And if you want to beat the system altogether, just go in prior to 9am. That's a good suggestion anyway; in a normal year the lines would be long at 9am, so get up earlier and beat the rush.

[FWC]

So what do you suggest they should do?

dodge guy wrote:

vermilye wrote:

dodge guy wrote:
This is a bad idea. These are our NP's! We should be able to go when we want! we were there last year and trying to get in was terrible because of the timed entry. We ended up with a 3:00 entry. And they are charging to get the timed entry. Hopefully this practice will stop.

The problem is too many people are trying to go "when & where they want". I once made the mistake of driving along the Virgin River at Zion the day before they stopped vehicles & switched to the busses. Traffic jams, impossible parking at the turnouts, and single lane near every attraction. It was a zoo. I have no problem with the National Park Service trying to limit visitors to a sustainable amount.

The problem is that we all paid for the parks, shutting out people because there are too many isn’t the way it works, and not how it was designed to work!

[dodge_guy]

vermilye wrote:

dodge guy wrote:
This is a bad idea. These are our NP's! We should be able to go when we want! we were there last year and trying to get in was terrible because of the timed entry. We ended up with a 3:00 entry. And they are charging to get the timed entry. Hopefully this practice will stop.

The problem is too many people are trying to go "when & where they want". I once made the mistake of driving along the Virgin River at Zion the day before they stopped vehicles & switched to the busses. Traffic jams, impossible parking at the turnouts, and single lane near every attraction. It was a zoo. I have no problem with the National Park Service trying to limit visitors to a sustainable amount.

The problem is that we all paid for the parks, shutting out people because there are too many isn’t the way it works, and not how it was designed to work!

[vermilye]

dodge guy wrote:
This is a bad idea. These are our NP's! We should be able to go when we want! we were there last year and trying to get in was terrible because of the timed entry. We ended up with a 3:00 entry. And they are charging to get the timed entry. Hopefully this practice will stop.

The problem is too many people are trying to go "when & where they want". I once made the mistake of driving along the Virgin River at Zion the day before they stopped vehicles & switched to the busses. Traffic jams, impossible parking at the turnouts, and single lane near every attraction. It was a zoo. I have no problem with the National Park Service trying to limit visitors to a sustainable amount.

[Bob806]

dodge guy wrote:
This is a bad idea. These are our NP's! We should be able to go when we want! we were there last year and trying to get in was terrible because of the timed entry. We ended up with a 3:00 entry. And they are charging to get the timed entry. Hopefully this practice will stop.

Agree. We are making our 1st visit there this summer and here I thought the America the Beautiful pass was good enough. While it won't deter us from going, I'm wondering if we'll get shut out now.

[Ivylog]

Lwiddis wrote:
Good news!

Guess you didn’t try and get a reservation.

[dodge_guy]

This is a bad idea. These are our NP's! We should be able to go when we want! we were there last year and trying to get in was terrible because of the timed entry. We ended up with a 3:00 entry. And they are charging to get the timed entry. Hopefully this practice will stop.

[rexlion]

Thanks for mentioning that, good to know.

[Lwiddis]

Good news!