A transponder has been correctly installed on the upper passenger side of a vehicle's window
NPS
Due to Technical Issues, Transponders Are Not Available for Purchase This Week
We Apologize for Any Inconvenience
This voluntary amenity offers interested annual and lifetime pass holders (RMNP Annual Pass, America the Beautiful Annual, Senior, Access, Military, 4th Grade, and Volunteer passholders) the ability to use the park's Transponder Lane when entering Rocky Mountain National Park via the Beaver Meadows Entrance. New transponder lanes are also being constructed at the Fall River Entrance and at the Grand Lake Entrance.
What is a Transponder?
A transponder is a small, credit card-sized device that must be attached to a vehicle’s window. Passholders who purchase a transponder will have the option to use the park's Transponder Lane when entering the Beaver Meadows Entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park.
When the park's Transponder Lane is open, passholders who have purchased a transponder will be able to drive through the entrance using the designated Transponder Lane.
When RMNP's timed entry permit system is in effect, the Transponder Lane will be closed between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
In 2024, timed entry permits will be in effect May 24 through October 15.
NPS
Important Things to Know:
The cost to purchase a transponder is $15; one passholder can purchase only one transponder. You must have your valid park entrance pass (such as an RMNP Annual pass, America the Beautiful Interagency Annual, Senior, Access, Military, Veterans, Volunteer, or 4th Grade Pass) to purchase a transponder.
Transponders are valid for up to one year. They can be renewed each year for $5
Transponders must be attached to your vehicle's window. If a transponder becomes detached from your vehicle's window, they will no longer work and a new one must be purchased.
Transponders are non-transferrable, non-removable, and non-refundable.
When using the transponder lane, remember to also bring your park pass with you. A passholder must have both their transponder and their valid park pass with them inside the vehicle.
Questions & Answers on Rocky Mountain National Park's Transponders & Transponder Lane
In 2019, the National Park Service modified the format of annual and lifetime passes. The new national passes are not compatible with the park’s fast pass gate system technology and the fast pass gate has not been operational for the last few years.
Based on this change, the park has transitioned to windshield transponders for interested annual and lifetime passholders to access the transponder lane, outside of any pilot timed entry permit reservation system times, which is 2024 is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 24 to October 15.
No. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the only national parks that had a fast pass lane for park visitors.
A transponder is a small, credit card-sized device that attaches to the window of your vehicle. This transponder sends a signal to the park’s entrance gate to open the automatic gate arm.
One transponder may be purchased for $15 per valid annual or lifetime pass and the transponder is valid for up to one year. The transponder can be renewed each year for $5 after the initial purchase. Transponders must be attached to a vehicle’s window and are non-removable, non-transferable, and non-refundable.
When using a transponder in the park, visitors must have their passes with them as well.
There is currently a transponder lane at Beaver Meadows Entrance and a new transponder lane is being constructed at Fall River Entrance. The lane at the Grand Lake Entrance is being reconstructed after it was destroyed in the East Troublesome Fire.
The transponder lanes will be closed in 2024 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. when the timed entry reservation system is in effect (May 24 to October 15).
Voluntary automated gate transponders are available for purchase at Rocky Mountain National Park for annual and lifetime passholders, including RMNP Annual and America the Beautiful Annual, Senior, Military, Veterans, Access, Fourth Grade, and Volunteer passes. The transponder lanes will be closed in 2024 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. when the timed entry reservation system is in effect (May 24 to October 15).
When using a transponder in the park, visitors must have their passes with them as well. Visitors found using the fast pass lane without a valid annual or lifetime pass will have their transponders disabled.
No. When the park’s timed entry permit reservation system is in effect, the transponder lane will be closed.
The transponder lanes will be closed in 2024 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. when the timed entry reservation system is in effect (May 24 to October 15).
No. Only one transponder may be purchased per valid annual or lifetime pass. However, if a household has multiple pass holders, each pass holder may purchase one transponder.
No. Transponders must be attached to a vehicle’s window and are non-removable, non-transferable, and non-refundable.
One transponder may be purchased for $15 per valid annual or lifetime pass and the transponder is valid for up to one year. The transponder can be renewed each year for $5 after the initial purchase. Transponders must be attached to a vehicle’s window and are non-removable, non-transferable, and non-refundable. When using a transponder in the park, visitors must have their passes with them as well.
The transponder will be programmed for up to one year from the purchase date of the transponder. For lifetime passholders, transponders will only be valid for one year. If a visitor has an existing annual pass with less than one year of validity, a purchased transponder will only be good for the valid life of the existing annual pass.
Annual and lifetime passholders, including RMNP Annual, America the Beautiful Annual, Senior, Military, Veterans, Access, Fourth Grade, and Volunteer passes.
People who purchase 1-day and weekly passes, commercial use authorization holders and their clients, and Special Use Permit holders, including commuter permit holders are ineligible.
Last updated: July 1, 2024
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Contact Info
Mailing Address:
1000 US Hwy 36
Estes Park,
CO
80517
Phone:
970 586-1206
The Information Office is open year-round: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily in summer; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mondays - Fridays and 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Saturdays - Sundays in winter.
Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222.
