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

Andrew Gloor // Unsplash
Andrew Gloor // Unsplash
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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

Joshua J. Cotten // Unsplash
Joshua J. Cotten // Unsplash
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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

Alec Krum // Unsplash
Alec Krum // Unsplash
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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.


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