Colorado · Hiking · Near Estes Park

RMNP Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road

RMNP Timed Entry + Bear Lake RoadPhoto: Bradley Weber — Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
May–Jun, Sep
best months

Is RMNP Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Rocky Mountain National Park. It doesn't name RMNP Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: NPS · Rocky Mountain National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road Reservations provide reservation holders access to RMNP's popular Bear Lake Road Corridor, located on the east side of the park near Beaver Meadows Entrance. These reservations will also provide access to all other areas of Rocky Mountain National Park. Timed Entry+ Bear Lake Road Reservations are best for those who plan to visit destinations inside the Bear Lake Road Corridor, including Moraine Park, Sprague Lake, Park & Ride Parking Area, Glacier Gorge Trailhead, and Bear Lake. When are Timed Entry+ Bear Lake Road Reservations needed to enter Rocky Mountain National Park? Timed Entry+ Bear Lake Road Reservations are needed to enter the Bear Lake Road Corridor between the hours of 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily beginning on Friday, May 22 through Sunday, October 18, 2026. To check availability and to make a timed entry reservation, visit https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10086910

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Rocky Mountain National Park Moraine Park Campground

    Campground

    The next 6 weekends are full on Recreation.gov
  • Eat after

    The Rock Inn

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 2 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Matt Golon, CC BY-SA 3.0 (commons)

More in Estes Park

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Sep

    Best time to visit RMNP Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road

    Best months: May–June and September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      37° / 16°

      7 wet

    2. Feb

      38° / 16°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      45° / 21°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      52° / 26°

      10 wet

    5. May

      61° / 35°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      74° / 43°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 48°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      78° / 46°

      13 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 39°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      57° / 30°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      44° / 23°

      6 wet

    12. Dec

      36° / 16°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Estes Park 3 Sse, CO, 3.6 mi away at 7,812 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Beaver Meadows EntrancePhoto: DrGBB, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Beaver Meadows Entrance

Next door

Welcome to Rocky Mountain National Park! Enter Rocky Mountain National Park via the Beaver Meadows Entrance. This entrance is the closest entrance to Estes Park.

Moraine Park Museum TrailsPhoto: christinejwarner, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Moraine Park Museum Trails

Next door

0.38-mile loop trail in Moraine Park with 51 ft gain.

Upper Beaver Meadows TrailPhoto: lamblukas, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Upper Beaver Meadows Trail

~3 min drive

3.68-mile out-and-back hike in Colorado with 809 ft gain/loss.

Beaver Meadows / Moraine Park Complex TrailPhoto: christinejwarner, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Beaver Meadows / Moraine Park Complex Trail

~3 min drive

30.14-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 2,383 ft elevation gain.

Deer Mountain TrailPhoto: NPS, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Deer Mountain Trail

~4 min drive

7.72-mile point-to-point trail in Colorado with 1,800 ft gain and 9,500 ft max elevation.

HIKE

Stories of the Moon & Stars at Moraine Park Discovery Center

Next door

Stories of the Moon & Stars The moon and stars have inspired humans and their stories for thousands of years. Join us on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park at the Moraine Park Discover Center Parking Area for an evening under the stars. This program begins at 8:30…

HIKE

Moraine Park

Next door

Get awe-inspiring views of the Rocky Mountains! Moraine Park is located and accessed off of Bear Lake Road. Here, you can find trailheads for both Cub Lake and Fern Lake. A relic of geologic history, Moraine Park was carved by ancient glaciers that flowed through the region.…

North Deer Mountain TrailPhoto: RuggyBearLA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

North Deer Mountain Trail

~4 min drive

3.22-mile trail in Colorado with 1,400 ft elevation gain and a max elevation of 9,200 ft.

RMNP - Overview of Timed Entry ReservationsPhoto: Osajus Photography, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

RMNP - Overview of Timed Entry Reservations

~2 min drive

Planning a Trip to Rocky This Summer? You Might Need a Timed Entry Reservation Beginning on Friday, May 22, 2026 through mid-October, a timed entry reservation will be required to enter and visit all areas of Rocky Mountain National Park (including outlying areas like Lily…

Moraine Park TrailPhoto: Jimmy Thomas from Grand Junction, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Moraine Park Trail

~2 min drive

0.7-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 218 ft elevation gain.