Rocky Mountain National Park Entrance Fees and Timed Entry (2026)
Rocky Mountain offers 1-day ($30) and 7-day ($35) vehicle passes and required a $2 timed entry reservation from May 22 to October 18, 2026.
As of September 30, 2026
| Fee type | 1-day | 7-day |
|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle | $30 | $35 |
| Motorcycle | $25 | $30 |
| Per person (foot, bicycle, age 16+) | $15 | $20 |
| Rocky Mountain annual pass | n/a | $70 (12 months) |
| America the Beautiful annual | n/a | $80 resident / $250 nonresident |
| Nonresident surcharge | n/a | $100 per person aged 16+ |
| Item | Detail | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Season | May 22 to October 18, 2026 | n/a |
| Standard timed entry (not Bear Lake Road) | 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 2-hour arrival window | $2 booking fee |
| Timed entry plus Bear Lake Road | 5 a.m. to 6 p.m., 2-hour arrival window | $2 booking fee |
| Release schedule | Monthly, plus nightly at 7 p.m. MDT for next day | n/a |
| Pass | Price | Visits to break even | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual pass vs 7-day vehicle | $70 | 2 visits | 2 x $35 = $70 |
| Annual pass vs 1-day vehicle | $70 | 3 visits | 3 x $30 = $90 |
| America the Beautiful vs 7-day vehicle | $80 | 3 park visits | 3 x $35 = $105 |
| Annual pass vs motorcycle 7-day | $70 | 3 visits | 3 x $30 = $90 |
Sources
Where these numbers come from
Rocky Mountain is the only park in this group that sells a one-day vehicle pass. It costs $30, against $35 for the seven-day version, so the week-long pass adds just $5. Unless you are certain you will leave the same afternoon, the seven-day ticket is the better buy. Motorcycles pay $25 or $30, and walkers and cyclists pay $15 or $20. Children under 16 on foot or bicycle are free.
The bigger planning task in 2026 was timed entry. From May 22 to October 18, the park asked most drivers to book a two-hour arrival window through Recreation.gov for a $2 processing fee. A standard reservation covered 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and left out Bear Lake Road. A second type covered the whole day from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. and added Bear Lake Road. The entrance ticket itself is a separate purchase.
Reservations came in batches: May dates on May 1, July dates on June 1, and so on, with leftover slots released each evening at 7 p.m. Mountain time for the next day. The park text does not say whether annual pass holders skip the reservation, so confirm with the park before you assume an exemption. As of 2026-09-30, the 2026 timed-entry season has ended, and the next season dates should be posted in spring.
Annual pass math is simple. The $70 park pass costs two seven-day vehicle tickets, so the second visit makes it free. Against the one-day ticket you need a third visit. The $80 America the Beautiful pass is worth it once you would enter three fee-charging sites, for example Rocky Mountain, Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Try the park pass break-even calculator.
Nonresidents aged 16 or older pay $100 more per person unless they hold an annual or America the Beautiful pass, and fee-free days (Feb 16, May 25, Jun 14, Jul 3-5, Aug 25, Sep 17, Oct 27, Nov 11) apply only to US citizens and residents. Two overseas adults in one car pay $235 for a seven-day visit, before the reservation fee. As of 2026-09-30, October 27 and November 11 remain. See the entrance fee finder for other parks.
Sources
- NPS Rocky Mountain fees and passes
- NPS Rocky Mountain timed entry 2026
- NPS nonresident fees
- NPS America the Beautiful passes
Figures checked on September 30, 2026.
This page is general information, not legal, insurance or travel-agent advice. Fees, rules and limits change, so confirm the figures with the official sources listed above before you book or travel.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a timed entry reservation at Rocky Mountain?
In 2026 the park required timed entry from May 22 to October 18 for most visitors, at a $2 booking fee. Outside that season, no reservation was listed.
How much is a Rocky Mountain entrance pass?
A vehicle pays $30 for one day or $35 for seven days, a motorcycle $25 or $30, and a person on foot or bicycle $15 or $20.
Is the Rocky Mountain annual pass worth it?
At $70 it beats two seven-day vehicle tickets and breaks even on the second visit. Check the park about timed entry, since the reservation is separate from the pass.
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