Campgrounds · Estes Park and Grand Lake

Rocky Mountain National Park camping: reservations and cancellations

Four reservable campgrounds, all on recreation.gov, all hard to get in summer. Here's when each one opens and what to do when it's sold out.

See the campgrounds
  • Campgrounds we watch here4
  • Reservations open6 months ahead
  • Winter campingMoraine Park only

How do Rocky Mountain National Park campground reservations work?

Every campground we watch in the park is booked on recreation.gov, and summer sites open 6 months ahead of each night on a rolling basis. Some sites are held back and released 2 weeks or 1 week ahead instead, so a campground that looked full months out can show new sites closer in.

recreation.gov says a Glacier Basin or Aspenglen reservation also serves as your timed entry, Bear Lake Road included. A Timber Creek reservation doesn't cover Bear Lake Road.

Which Rocky Mountain National Park campgrounds can I book, and when?

Rules verified Nov 4, 2026 against the RMNP camping page and recreation.gov. Rules change: check before you book.

What permits or reservations apply in Rocky Mountain National Park?

Most summer visitors need a timed entry reservation to drive into the park. Our guide covers when they release.

RMNP timed entry guide

What are conditions like in Rocky Mountain National Park right now?

Our conditions board tracks inclement weather, wildfire, smoke, air quality and closures for Rocky Mountain National Park. Set a watch and we also keep an eye on conditions around your trip, and email you if they turn bad, with nearby campgrounds that look clear.

Live conditions boardMoraine Park in winterRelease-day calendar

Sold out in Rocky Mountain National Park?

Pick a campground and your nights, and we’ll email you when a site opens. You book it yourself on recreation.gov. Setting a watch is free.

Choose a campground

Common questions

When do Rocky Mountain National Park campground reservations open?

6 months ahead of each camping date on recreation.gov, on a rolling basis, at Moraine Park, Glacier Basin, Aspenglen and Timber Creek. Some sites are released 2 weeks or 1 week ahead instead. The park hasn't posted summer 2027 dates yet.

Is any Rocky Mountain National Park campground first-come, first-served?

In summer, the park lists Longs Peak as its only first-come campground, and we don't watch it. In winter, Moraine Park is the one campground that stays open, first-come, first-served, from Oct 19 to mid-May.

Does a campground reservation count as timed entry?

For Glacier Basin and Aspenglen, recreation.gov says yes, Bear Lake Road included. A Timber Creek reservation doesn't cover Bear Lake Road. Check your reservation details on recreation.gov.

Can Campsite Ranger book a site for me?

No. Campsite Ranger never books for anyone and never asks for your recreation.gov login. It emails you when a site for your dates opens, and you book it yourself on recreation.gov.