Exploring Rocky Mountain National Park is going to be more expensive beginning Memorial Day weekend, which is also when the park will resume its seasonal requirement for reservations to enter.
The park’s single-day vehicle entry pass will increase from $25 to $30 beginning May 27. Park officials say the increase is needed to fund new projects and perform ongoing park maintenance.
Camping fees are going up, too. Winter campground fees will increase from $20 to $30 per night beginning Oct. 12. Summer campground fees will increase from $30 to $35 in 2023.
Timed-entry reservations go on sale via recreation.gov on Monday for park visits from May 27 through June 30. July reservations go on sale June 1, August reservations on July 1, and so on. Reservations will be required from May 27 through Oct. 10.
Basic park operations are funded by federal appropriations but entry fees fund new projects and maintenance, according to a park news release announcing the increases. Park officials solicited public comment regarding those increases last fall.
“Most commenters expressed support for the proposed changes,” according to the release, “often highlighting the importance of funding for park maintenance, operation, and resource protection.”
According to the release, projects funded by entry fees include hazard tree mitigation, trail repairs and improvements, wilderness campsite improvements, bear management and the restoration of historic rock walls along Trail Ridge Road.
