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Anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors is likely feeling a little anxiety about what recreation will look like this summer as staffing shortages and millions of dollars in potential funding cuts strain our national park system.
Since nothing puts a damper on a day of hiking like being turned away at the entrance, you’ll want to know exactly what reservations, permits, and passes you’ll need before you wait in an hourlong line outside Rocky Mountain National Park. All national parks require an entrance pass ($80 for an annual pass, daily rates vary by park), but you might need to do some extra paperwork if you plan on visiting a popular recreation area or a specific trail. We’ve got you covered with this comprehensive guide to accessing Colorado’s national parks (and two of our faves in neighboring Utah).
Jump Ahead:
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
- Mesa Verde National Park
- Arches National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado’s largest park, which covers more than 265,000 acres, is also, unsurprisingly, its busiest.
Distance from Denver: 70 miles
Do you need to make reservations to enter the park? Yes. Between May 23 and October 13, timed-entry reservations are required. Visitors who don’t want access to Bear Lake Road only need a timed-entry reservation between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. But if you want to hike any of the trails along the popular Bear Lake Corridor (including Nymph, Dream, and Emerald lakes, as well as Sky Pond), you’ll need a reservation between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. Be sure to select the “Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road Reservation” if you hope to tackle this part of the park.
Keep an eye on the time: You have a designated two-hour window to enter RMNP, and if you miss it, you’re out of luck. Once inside, you can stay as long as you’d like. Reservations are released on the first of the month for the following month; additional slots are released at 7 p.m. the night before a planned visit—but you’ll need Jeopardy-quick reflexes to secure them.
However…If you’re visiting the park outside of those hours, you don’t need a reservation. You also don’t need one if you’re entering the park by foot—timed-entry is only tied to vehicles.
Right More: Which Rocky Mountain National Park Reservation Is Right for You?
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
At first glance, this landscape looks like something you’d find in Namibia, not Southern Colorado. That’s because this International Dark Sky Park is home to the country’s tallest dunes.
Distance from Denver: 226 miles
Do you need to make reservations to enter the park? No. But visitors may experience long wait times at the entrance station on peak season weekends.
However…Backpacking permits are required for those who want to overnight among the dunes, and the park’s main campground, Piñon Flats, is popular, so booking early (sites open six months in advance on recreation.gov) is a good idea.
Read More: Enter Sandman: Backpacking in Great Sand Dunes National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Colorado’s answer to the Grand Canyon is on the western side of the state and is comprised of rocks that are nearly 2 million years old.
Distance from Denver: 262 miles
Do you need to make reservations to enter the park? No.
However…Ongoing road construction, stretching from the visitor center to the end of the South Rim Drive and around some of the South Rim’s overlooks, may cause delays for visitors, impact access, and cut down on the number of available parking spots. Anyone who wants to undertake an inner canyon adventure (hiking, climbing, kayaking, etc.) is required to obtain a wilderness use permit. North Rim permits are only available day-of on a first-come, first-served basis, while South Rim permits can be reserved on Recreation.gov. A limited number are available for each route.
Read More: A First-Timer’s Guide to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Mesa Verde National Park
A World Heritage Site that celebrates the culture and history of the Ancestral Puebloans, Mesa Verde is best known for its incredibly preserved cliff dwellings.
Distance from Denver: 391 miles
Do you need to make reservations to enter the park? No.
However…In order to enter the cliff dwellings, visitors need to make reservations to join a ranger-led tour. Spots open 14 days in advance, and this year’s season runs May 4 to October 19. If you can’t score a tour, head to Wetherill Mesa to explore Step House—the only cliff dwelling that doesn’t require a ranger-led tour.
Read More: Unlocking the Secrets of Mesa Verde National Park
Arches National Park
We may claim Red Rocks Amphitheatre, but Utah’s got the real red rock title, as evidenced by this landscape of more than 2,000 natural stone arches.
Distance from Denver: 350 miles
Do you need to make reservations to enter the park? Yes. Visitation to Arches spiked 74 percent from 2011 to 2021, so the park is piloting a timed-entry system similar to the one at RMNP to manage crowds. All visitors entering the park between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. from April 1 to July 6 and August 28 to October 31 need to have a reservation. You must enter during your designated one-hour window and it’s not unusual to wait 30 to 60 minutes in line, so arrive early. Once inside, you can stay as long as you’d like. Reservations are released six months in advance, and additional slots become available at 7 p.m. the night before a planned visit.
However…If you’re entering the park outside of those hours or dates, you don’t need a reservation. You also don’t need one if you’re coming by foot or you’ve already secured a camping, backcountry, or special-use permit.
Read More: The 5280 Guide to Utah’s Arches National Park
Canyonlands National Park
This massive swath of high desert, divided into four distinct districts, has it all: canyons, arches, rivers, you name it.
Distance from Denver: 363 miles
Do you need to make reservations to enter the park? No.
However…If you’re angling for some backcountry fun, you’ll need a day-use permit to explore White Rim, Elephant Hill, Lavender Canyon, and Peekaboo/Horse Canyon roads. These can be reserved at 8 a.m. the day before your adventure. If you want to trek into the backcountry or paddle either of the two rivers, you’ll need permits for that as well.
