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Not all spaces are paid
Best bet: DDD (Daytime Designated Driver). Drop off the family downtown and park in the garage at the East end of town. it takes a few minutes to walk from the garage to the center of downtown- unless you stop and chat or window shop or snack or....
Paid parking runs from May 26 - Oct 22, 2023
Plan ahead if you want to visit
Entry to the National Park (RMNP) will generally be by appointment during the highest demand times, and requires some planning to see on your terms. Make a reservation for your time slot to enter the park, and pay the entry fee.
Show up at the gate without planning ahead and you too will be angry at the federal government.
Timed entry runs from May 26 - Oct 22, 2023
Get around like a local
In addition to the secret, locals only, Elkhorn Tunnel, there are some real life strategies that will relieve the stress of stopping at every traffic light and going 11 miles per hour or less. Unless you like that pace, like a lot of visitors do.
There's not really a tunnel. But there are strategies to ease your suffering.