Visiting RMNP 2025
Blog by: Nathaniel Kolhoff 4/24/2025 (Return to blogs)
Planning to visit RMNP this year? A few things you should know:
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of 4 national parks we have here in Colorado, and it's by far the one with the most fishing destinations. Due to the nature of wildlife, the size, the unique views, and its proximity to Denver, Rocky receives millions of visitors every year. For those of us heading up to fish some of the gorgeous lakes and rivers, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First off- if you have a specific trailhead you're wanting to walk and fish, get there early. Due to limited parking at many of the trailheads, especially during the summer months, spaces fill up. Otherwise, you could spend undue time circling the parking lot, or parking somewhere you're not supposed to be and risk getting towed. And yes, vehicles DO get towed.
Timed entry system; know it. Starting in 2020, RMNP and now other Nationals Parks and federal recreation areas are implementing a timed entry system. Basically, a way to try and cut down on congestion, especially in certain areas of the park. As of this writing, here's how the system works-
If you're looking to ENTER the park at all between 9am-2pm between May 23rd-October 13th you WILL need a timed entry pass; essentially a ticket for your specific vehicle to get into the park, along with your daily park pass fee. This goes for ANY area of the park and any entrance, regardless of if you're wanting to hit the Bear Lake corridor or not. If you're looking to hit the Bear Lake Road corridor at all, you will need a timed entry pass, unless you want to cross the threshold of the Bear Lake corridor before 5am, which is just a little south of the Beaver Meadows entrance. This includes areas like Moraine Park, Sprague Lake, etc. This year things are a little different for the Bear Lake Corridor; the timed entry window for this section of the park runs through October 19th.
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of 4 national parks we have here in Colorado, and it's by far the one with the most fishing destinations. Due to the nature of wildlife, the size, the unique views, and its proximity to Denver, Rocky receives millions of visitors every year. For those of us heading up to fish some of the gorgeous lakes and rivers, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First off- if you have a specific trailhead you're wanting to walk and fish, get there early. Due to limited parking at many of the trailheads, especially during the summer months, spaces fill up. Otherwise, you could spend undue time circling the parking lot, or parking somewhere you're not supposed to be and risk getting towed. And yes, vehicles DO get towed.
Timed entry system; know it. Starting in 2020, RMNP and now other Nationals Parks and federal recreation areas are implementing a timed entry system. Basically, a way to try and cut down on congestion, especially in certain areas of the park. As of this writing, here's how the system works-
If you're looking to ENTER the park at all between 9am-2pm between May 23rd-October 13th you WILL need a timed entry pass; essentially a ticket for your specific vehicle to get into the park, along with your daily park pass fee. This goes for ANY area of the park and any entrance, regardless of if you're wanting to hit the Bear Lake corridor or not. If you're looking to hit the Bear Lake Road corridor at all, you will need a timed entry pass, unless you want to cross the threshold of the Bear Lake corridor before 5am, which is just a little south of the Beaver Meadows entrance. This includes areas like Moraine Park, Sprague Lake, etc. This year things are a little different for the Bear Lake Corridor; the timed entry window for this section of the park runs through October 19th.
The timed entry tickets will start to be released on May 1st. Below I have attached the schedule for the release dates. In addition, the day before more tickets are always released at 7:00pm. But you need to be quick in order to get your desired time slot.
Now, again you can get around the timed entry system by, for example, entering the park via any entrance before 9am, as long as you don't go to the Bear Lake Road corridor. However, if you want to leave the park for any reason and you don't have a timed entry pass, you will need to wait until after 2:00 to get in. And trust me, you'll be happy you've grabbed that handmade sandwich from The Country Market of Estes Park, because that line of cars to get in after 2:00 can get pretty long. Seriously though, try the sandwiches- delightful.
On the subject of leaving the park- if you have a Timed Entry+ Pass (which includes the Bear Lake corridor), you are able to leave the park, and re-enter the park at any time, just so long you don't go back through the Bear Lake corridor. Meaning you could easily enter during your early morning window to see sunrise on Sprague Lake, then leave to grab some breakfast in town and head down to the Wild Basin trailhead for your day hike up to Ouzel Lake. You can re-enter the park at ANY time, but if you wanted to re-enter the Bear Lake corridor, you'd need to wait until after 2:00 to do so.
Road conditions: probably something that is overlooked but still important, especially early in the season or late in the season. Mostly what you're looking for is the status of Trail Ridge Rd, and Old Fall River Rd. Typically Trail Ridge Rd opens up sometime in May, and Typically Old Fall River Rd opens up completely sometime in July.
All of this info, along with additional FAQ's can be found at ;;;https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/timed-entry-permit-system.htm or by calling into the RMNP info line at (970) 586-1206.
Lastly, and most important for the purposes of this site- know the fishing regulations. The normal statewide regulations apply, but RMNP has a lot more very specific regulations inside the park and the regulations even vary from body of water to body of water. Hence why knowing the regulations is so important. In addition to the stated regulations, several other things are encouraged but not enforced as law, for example: it's encouraged that in ALL waters barbless hooks be used, but only in waters labeled as "catch-and-release only" are barbless hooks required. This can mean a truly barbless hook OR a hook in which the barb has been clamped down thanks to some forceps.
A side note about these regulations. There is a 2-hook limit for your rig, regardless of body of water. Meaning if you plan on fly fishing, you cannot have 3 flies hooked up at one time, even if they're all barbless. And if you plan on using lures, particularly stick baits with multiple treble hooks, just be careful. If a ranger really wants to be particular, you could get fined for that because that's technically 6 hooks, unless you swap out the treble hooks for single barb stinger hooks. Single treble hooks are acceptable, but multiple treble hooks can get you fined.
If you have any questions about the complexity of the regs, don't hesitate to reach out to the info line mentioned above, get to a representative, and then ask for the wilderness office. Otherwise, don't hesitate to reach out to ME directly via my skipper link on here. These are regs I've combed over, know, and have verified with rangers up in the park.
Now, again you can get around the timed entry system by, for example, entering the park via any entrance before 9am, as long as you don't go to the Bear Lake Road corridor. However, if you want to leave the park for any reason and you don't have a timed entry pass, you will need to wait until after 2:00 to get in. And trust me, you'll be happy you've grabbed that handmade sandwich from The Country Market of Estes Park, because that line of cars to get in after 2:00 can get pretty long. Seriously though, try the sandwiches- delightful.
On the subject of leaving the park- if you have a Timed Entry+ Pass (which includes the Bear Lake corridor), you are able to leave the park, and re-enter the park at any time, just so long you don't go back through the Bear Lake corridor. Meaning you could easily enter during your early morning window to see sunrise on Sprague Lake, then leave to grab some breakfast in town and head down to the Wild Basin trailhead for your day hike up to Ouzel Lake. You can re-enter the park at ANY time, but if you wanted to re-enter the Bear Lake corridor, you'd need to wait until after 2:00 to do so.
Road conditions: probably something that is overlooked but still important, especially early in the season or late in the season. Mostly what you're looking for is the status of Trail Ridge Rd, and Old Fall River Rd. Typically Trail Ridge Rd opens up sometime in May, and Typically Old Fall River Rd opens up completely sometime in July.
All of this info, along with additional FAQ's can be found at ;;;https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/timed-entry-permit-system.htm or by calling into the RMNP info line at (970) 586-1206.
Lastly, and most important for the purposes of this site- know the fishing regulations. The normal statewide regulations apply, but RMNP has a lot more very specific regulations inside the park and the regulations even vary from body of water to body of water. Hence why knowing the regulations is so important. In addition to the stated regulations, several other things are encouraged but not enforced as law, for example: it's encouraged that in ALL waters barbless hooks be used, but only in waters labeled as "catch-and-release only" are barbless hooks required. This can mean a truly barbless hook OR a hook in which the barb has been clamped down thanks to some forceps.
These signs are pretty unmistakable and clearly state a $500 fine. Not for nothing, I don't really feel like it's worth risking a $500 fine and up to 6 months in jail just to make sure a small greenback doesn't wriggle off the hook, but that's just me. Especially since it's been pointed out to me that many of those greenbacks we fish for aren't TRUE greenbacks.
Thankfully we have a great site here that is kept up-to-date best we can with the additional regs for each body of water.
A side note about these regulations. There is a 2-hook limit for your rig, regardless of body of water. Meaning if you plan on fly fishing, you cannot have 3 flies hooked up at one time, even if they're all barbless. And if you plan on using lures, particularly stick baits with multiple treble hooks, just be careful. If a ranger really wants to be particular, you could get fined for that because that's technically 6 hooks, unless you swap out the treble hooks for single barb stinger hooks. Single treble hooks are acceptable, but multiple treble hooks can get you fined.
If you have any questions about the complexity of the regs, don't hesitate to reach out to the info line mentioned above, get to a representative, and then ask for the wilderness office. Otherwise, don't hesitate to reach out to ME directly via my skipper link on here. These are regs I've combed over, know, and have verified with rangers up in the park.
Last thing I wanted to mention pertains to this year in particular (as of this writing). It's been pretty much impossible to see how many federal workers have been relieved of their duties. To that end, there was even a vicious rumor that Rocky wouldn't have the staff to even open this year. That has since been completely rebuffed, but it does remain to be seen how much these layoffs could affect a place like Rocky. You may notice delays, or the restrooms might not be as clean, and the like. There have even been recent news articles saying as much. Please be patient with not only the paid rangers but also the volunteers up in the park. Remember that they are trying their best and are there to help us. ;
Rocky Mountain National Park truly is an amazing place to visit and see wildlife including the fish. If we all do our part, it's a place we can continue to enjoy for years to come.
Tight lines!
Rocky Mountain National Park truly is an amazing place to visit and see wildlife including the fish. If we all do our part, it's a place we can continue to enjoy for years to come.
Tight lines!
Blog content © Nathaniel Kolhoff
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About the Author
Hi everyone! I'm originally from Sioux Falls, SD where I spent the first 26 years of my life. That's where I learned to fish, with my old man. We're both bass fisherman at heart, whether it's soft plastics being tossed under boat docks or around structure, or chucking spinner baits and cranks, we were after bass or the occasional pike & walleye. Fast forward a few years, and after having married a Colorado native, I now find myself in Denver, fishing for trout, and loving it.