Eldorado Canyon State Park Timed Entry Reservations

Eldorado Canyon State Park Introduces Timed Entry Reservations to Manage Summer Crowds

Eldorado Canyon State Park in Eldorado Springs, Colorado, has announced that starting May 15, 2024, a timed vehicle reservation entry system will be required for visitors on weekends and summer holidays through September 15. This marks the third consecutive year for the system aimed at managing the park’s high visitor traffic during peak periods.

Under the new system, 90% of the park’s parking spots can be reserved up to 30 days in advance, with the remaining spots available for booking within 24 hours of a visit. As parking availability often dictates park capacity, especially during the summer, visitors are advised to secure their reservations well ahead of time.

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The timed entry slots will be available from 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., allowing for two-hour visits per vehicle. Each vehicle can hold one reservation per day, with a limit of four reservations per month.

Reservations can be made either through the park’s official website or by calling the Reservation Line at 1-800-244-5613. It is important to note that reservations cannot be made at the park entrance or visitor center.

An entrance fee of $10 is required for visitors without a Keep Colorado Wild pass or an Annual Colorado State Parks pass. Passholders must link their KCW pass to their accounts in the CPW shop to waive the reservation fee. Due to limited cell service in the area, visitors are encouraged to print or screenshot their reservation confirmations to show upon arrival.

Preview of the Complete Colorado 14ers Planner spreadsheet showing all 58 peaks with route details, difficulty, mileage, and prep information

Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner

Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.

  • All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
  • Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
  • Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips
Get the Free Planner

Additionally, a free shuttle service, the Eldo Shuttle, will be available starting May 25, operating on weekends and holidays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. This service, picking up from various locations in Boulder County, does not require a reservation. However, a valid parks pass is still needed to enter the park using the shuttle.

This reservation system is part of Eldorado Canyon State Park’s ongoing efforts to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors while preserving the natural environment.

Alex Derr, Founder of The Next Summit

Alex Derr is an Eagle Scout, climber, and environmental policy expert located in Denver, Colorado. He created The Next Summit to help others stay safe exploring the mountains and advocate to preserve the peaks for the future. Follow him on Linkedin or Twitter or click here to contact him.

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