Here Are the Colorado National Parks That Don’t Require Reservations

Our state is home to four beautiful Colorado national parks: Great Sand Dunes, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Mesa Verde, and Rocky Mountain.

Earlier this year, Rocky Mountain National Park announced that the park is implementing a new reservation system. While visitors currently do not need a reservation to enter the national park, they will have to choose between two timed-entry reservations beginning May 27, 2022.

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However, not every national park is following its lead. Here are the Colorado national parks that don't require reservations:

Great Sand Dunes National Park | Mosca, Colorado

According to the National Park Service (NPS), Great Sand Dunes National Park is open 24 hours, seven days a week, with no limitations. You do not need a reservation to enter the park, but the visitor center does have capacity limits.

An annual pass to the park costs $45.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park | Gunnison, Colorado

According to mycoloradoparks.com, visitors do not need reservations to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park; however, reservations for the South Rim area are "strongly recommended."

An annual pass to the park costs $55.

Mesa Verde National Park | Mesa Verde, Colorado

According to visitmesaverde.com, Mesa Verde National Park only requires reservations for lodging and camping — there are no reservations for general park entry.

An annual pass to Mesa Verde costs $55.

PHOTOS: Fishers Peak in Trinidad, Colorado's 42nd State Park

While there are only four national parks in Colorado, the Centennial State is home to 43 state parks. Check out Colorado's newest state park, Sweetwater Lake, in the gallery below.