Just a public service announcement. If you’re planning to visit a National Park this summer, you may want to check recreation.gov for reservation needs. Rocky Mountain national park just opened their timed entry windows this morning for all of July. Most of the early time slots are already sold out. We also looked at Zion last night and appeared to sell out quickly as well.
There’s going to be a lot of pissed off folks who’ve spent the time and money to travel to these parks only to be denied entry..

The news reports that parks visiting and camping will be at an all time high this summer.

We cancelled our plans to go to RMNP in Estes Park because of the reservation system. We have been numerous times and won`t go back until you can enter whenever you want. Already rented a house in Cloudcroft for much less money and not near as far. Get to see the horses race in Ruidoso to.

I guess I'm having a hard time understanding this 'timed entry' thing?

Is it because of Covid or why are they doing this now?

I mean don't get me wrong because I'm sure it is for all of our own good if this is part of Sleepy Joe's plan!

Yeah, rv sales and reservations are through the roof. It’s difficult to find a reservation at a Texas state park.

That’s what I assume is driving it.. it was this way last year as well and talk that they wouldn’t have it this year.

I'm all for it and hope they never go back. The more popular park, RMNP, Yellowstone, etc., are absolutely awful in the summer with the overcrowding. They are just too popular to let everyone in whenever they want, as it ends up making it miserable for everyone. 2+ hour waits to get in the gate of RMNP is an awful way to spend a vacation, but is normal in the summer months. The system needs some tweaking, but for places that popular, something is necessary to limit overcrowding.

A.. Traffic in Yellowstone was bad enough in September when we went in 2014. No way I would ever go in the summer when school was out.

B.. We go to RMNP in the middle of September to see the Elk rutting. Never thought the traffic was to bad and I am inpatient . Al least you don`t have to wait an hour+ for 1 stupid Buffalo to get out of the road.

I'm with you. I only go to the popular parks during shoulder seasons because of the crowding, but I would love to be able to go when the kids aren't in school. I have to book hotels, airfare, time off work, etc., all in advance. To me, getting a reservation time at the park isn't a huge deal if it means the experience will be much better.

We did the timed entry last summer for day use at Garner State Park, we have been staying outside the park for a few years now so if we can't get a water only campsite we use the day pass. Prior to them going to online timed entry you had to get your but up early and get in line with the rest of the world and hope to god you were going to get in.

Texas state parks are also making it harder on "no-shows" and opening up their slot if they don't arrive by noon the next day. That's a good thing.

The timed entry is a good thing. The only way to manage the numbers.

No way. Home is great.

Dinosaur Valley state park was this way this weekend. Although private, fossil rim was same way


I don’t think it’s a good thing in any form. It’s public land, held in trust for the public. I’d disband the communist NPS anyway. Should all fall under NFS

I'm all for it. I've been saying for awhile that National Parks should either have reservations for a maximum people per day or make the entry fees about 5x higher.

Go hike Angels Landing if you disagree. You and the 17,000 other people on the trail at one time will have fun

I'm staying right cheer. Family is coming to me.

We went to Garner 25 years ago, not knowing what to expect. Had to take a # and wait way to long to find out we could not get a site. Ended up leaving and staying at a private CG on the Frio. To many people and we never went back.

We were recently in Zion. I suppose the reservation thing is for summer time.

It was really crowded, so I can only imagine how it might get in the summer, when school is out. But, if you do go there, Flanigan’s Inn is a great place to stay. Expensive, as is the restaurant on site. And for breakfast, there’s a place a mile or so from Flanigan’s, in the direction away from the park entrance, that was terrific and not overpriced.

Any major National Forest trail with in 1hr of Denver is same way.

Becareful what you wish for

You can always try "boondocking". I hear Walmart let's people do it all the time.

I just got back from Colorado. Missed the.timed entry by two days fortunately. Rocky mountain national park is beautiful. Saw lots of elk, mule deer and mountain goats. Was in the park on May 25 and 26. No wait at all to get in. Not crowded at all.

Some friends went a couple weeks ago for a day trip. They had to wait a few hours. They were given a time when they could enter the park.

PSA, traveled through Glacier and Yellowstone last summer. If you get there before 7am there isn't anyone to keep you from driving in...

Early to rise...................

Yeah, I saw it once too. Don't need to be in the masses anywhere. I don't do well. Wait 'til all our new arrivals at the border hear about it!

Same with Rocky Mountain National Park, but after 6pm or before 5 am