Entrance Permits and Camping Prices

Do your part to support your parks and open spaces!

Revenue generated from entrance permit sales goes directly back into your parks and open spaces to cover operations, maintenance, and personnel expenses.

Entrance permits are required at Carter Lake, Flatiron, Pinewood and Horsetooth Reservoirs, Blue Sky Trailhead, Horsetooth Mountain Open Space (including Soderberg Trailhead), Ramsay-Shockey Open Space, Hermit Park Open Space, and Devil's Backbone Open Space. 

Daily Entrance Permits

Carter Lake, Flatiron, Pinewood and Horsetooth reservoirs$10/vehicle or $10/boat trailer only, or
$20/vehicle and boat trailer
Horsetooth Mountain, Blue Sky Trail, Hermit Park, Ramsay-Shockey Open Space, and new in 2022 - Devil's Backbone Open Space$10/vehicle

Permits are valid for 24 hours from date of purchase. 

Ways to purchase Daily entrance permits:

  1. Self-serve pay stations located at trailhead or day use area: Pay by credit or debit card prior to entering the park. 
  2. In-person at visitor center or offices: Stop by the Natural Resources Administrative Offices, the Horsetooth Area Information Center, and the Hermit Park Office to purchase a daily or annual permit.
  3. Online with a camping reservation: Buy online with a camping reservation.
    • If you have a Larimer County annual entrance permit, do not input your vehicle info when reserving a campsite.
    • The Text2Park logo
      To show proof of a daily permit, print and display the first page of your confirmation email and place it on the lower passenger side dashboard area.
    • Campers who pre-purchase their daily entrance permits can bypass the entrance gates and proceed directly to their campsite upon arrival. Note - Fees will display as CAR EXCESS VEHICLES by date when purchasing online. Permits are non-refundable.

  4. Through your phone using Text2Park. Simply scan the QR code posted on signage near the kiosk, or text the 5-digit code to the number listed. Your permit will be tied to your license plate number and will be electronically processed. You will not receive a paper permit. 

    Text2Park FAQs

Annual Entrance Permits   Order Online

  1. Valid for 12 months from the end of the month purchased.
  2. An example of an annual resident permit for the windshield. Attach to the lower inside passenger windshield.
  3. Transferable among vehicles registered to the same household (permit is peel-off Mylar plastic material).
    • For more than one vehicle coming in to the park at the same time, you will need a second permit (annual or daily).
  4. Non-refundable (cannot be reissued).
  5. A combination permit—Vehicle/Boat Trailer—is available (one permit per trailer, not per boat.) Attach permit to the lower inside passenger windshield of the vehicle.
    • No additional permit is required for non-trailered watercraft such as canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, etc., which are carried on or in a vehicle.
  6. Reselling a campsite or other service (such as an annual permit) provided by Larimer County is NOT ALLOWED and may result in fines.
  7. Permit does not include the cost of camping.

Please call us at (970) 619-4570 with questions.

Annual Entrance Permit Prices

Annual permits are available at the gatehouses prior to entering the parks (on a seasonal basis), at the Natural Resources Administrative Offices, the Horsetooth Area Information Center, and online. Campsites and cabins can be reserved by visiting the campgrounds page.

Interested in learning more about our finalized 2022 fee adjustments? Visit our engagement page here

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Click here to view locations where permit can be purchased

Click here to view locations where permit can be purchased

  • Must be 65+ years of age or turning 65 in month of purchase
  • Discount can be applied for Larimer County residents and non-residents
  • Click here to view locations where permit can be purchased
  • The Person with Disability permit is offered at a discounted cost of $10 for a Vehicle or $105 for a Vehicle + Boat (trailered) to Larimer County residents and non-residents who can show proof of current eligibility (see below). The permit holder must be present at the time of use for the permit to be valid.
  • Eligible persons must produce at least one item from each of the following categories: (NOTE: Photocopies of presented documents are not made or retained by Larimer County.)
    • Category 1 – Proof of Identification
      • State issued driver’s license or State issued identification card
      • College issued identification card
      • Military issued identification card
      • Passport
    • Category 2 – Proof of Eligibility
      • Vehicle Registration (with attached photo of Vehicle License plate)
      • Hangtag placard
      • Columbine Pass – Colorado Parks and Wildlife
      • All-Access Pass – National Park Service
    • Documents MUST BE submitted in person at one our visitor centers during business hours or attached to the online application. Payment will be accepted in the form of cash, check or Visa/MasterCard.
  • The Veteran permit is offered at a discounted cost of $70 to Larimer County residents and non-residents who can show proof of Active Duty or Veteran Military Status. The permit holder must be present at the time of use for the permit to be valid.
  • Eligible persons must produce at least one item from each of the following categories: (NOTE: Photocopies of presented documents are not made or retained by Larimer County).
    • Category 1 – Proof of Identification
      • State issued driver’s license or State issued identification card
      • College issued identification card
      • Military issued identification card
      • Passport
    • Category 2 – Proof of Veteran Status
      • Military Issued Identification Card
      • Driver’s license or identification card with military identifier
      • DD Form 214, DD Form 215, or DD Form 256 (Active Duty/Reservists Separation Form)
      • NGB Form 22/ NGB Form 22a (National Guard Separation Form)
      • VA “Summary of Benefits” Letter
      • VIC – Veterans Identification Card
    • Documents MUST BE submitted in person at one our visitor centers during business hours or attached to the online application. Payment will be accepted in the form of cash, check or Visa/MasterCard.
  • The Bison permit is offered at a discounted cost of $45 to Larimer County residents who can show proof of current eligibility (see below). The permit holder must be present at the time of use for the permit to be valid.
  • Eligible persons must produce at least one item from each of the following categories: (NOTE: Photocopies of presented documents are not made or retained by Larimer County).
    • Category 1 – Proof of Identification
      • Colorado issued driver’s license or Colorado issued identification
      • College issued identification
      • Military issued identification
      • Government Issued identification
      • Passport
    • Category 2 – Proof of Residency
      • Colorado issued driver’s license or Colorado issued identification
      • Utility Bill
      • Lease Agreement
      • Vehicle Registration
    • Category 3 – Proof of Income
      • U.S. Federal Income Tax Form 1040
      • U.S. Federal Income Tax Form 1040-A
      • U.S. Federal Income Tax Form 1040-EZ
      • CO State Income Tax Form DR 0104
      • Current Colorado State Parks & Wildlife Centennial Pass
    • Documents MUST BE submitted in person at one our Natural Resources Administration Office or the Horsetooth Area Information Center during business hours or attached to the online application. Payment will be accepted in the form of cash, check or Visa/MasterCard.

Click here to view locations where permit can be purchased

Owners of slipped and moored boats at Carter Lake or Horsetooth Reservoir need to purchase a combination permit.

Click here to view locations where permit can be purchased

Owners of slipped and moored boats at Carter Lake or Horsetooth Reservoir need to purchase a combination permit.

  • Must be 65+ years of age or turning 65 in month of purchase
  • Click here to view locations where permit can be purchased
  • Owners of slipped and moored boats at Carter Lake or Horsetooth Reservoir need to purchase a combination permit.
  • The Person with Disability permit is offered at a discounted cost of $10 for a Vehicle or $105 for a Vehicle + Boat (trailered) to Larimer County residents and non-residents who can show proof of current eligibility (see below). The permit holder must be present at the time of use for the permit to be valid.
  • Eligible persons must produce at least one item from each of the following categories: (NOTE: Photocopies of presented documents are not made or retained by Larimer County.)
    • Category 1 – Proof of Identification
      • State issued driver’s license or State issued identification card
      • College issued identification card
      • Military issued identification card
      • Passport
    • Category 2 – Proof of Eligibility
      • Vehicle Registration (with attached photo of Vehicle License plate)
      • Hangtag placard
      • Columbine Pass – Colorado Parks and Wildlife
      • All-Access Pass – National Park Service
    • Documents MUST BE submitted in person at one our visitor centers during business hours or attached to the online application. Payment will be accepted in the form of cash, check or Visa/MasterCard.
  • Owners of slipped and moored boats at Carter Lake or Horsetooth Reservoir need to purchase a combination permit.
  • The Veteran permit is offered at a discounted cost of $70 for a Vehicle or $155 for a Vehicle + Boat (trailered) to Larimer County residents and non-residents who can show proof of Active Duty or Veteran Military Status. The permit holder must be present at the time of use for the permit to be valid.
  • Eligible persons must produce at least one item from each of the following categories: (NOTE: Photocopies of presented documents are not made or retained by Larimer County).
    • Category 1 – Proof of Identification
      • State issued driver’s license or State issued identification card
      • College issued identification card
      • Military issued identification card
      • Passport
    • Category 2 – Proof of Veteran Status
      • Military Issued Identification Card
      • Driver’s license or identification card with military identifier
      • DD Form 214, DD Form 215, or DD Form 256 (Active Duty/Reservists Separation Form)
      • NGB Form 22/ NGB Form 22a (National Guard Separation Form)
      • VA “Summary of Benefits” Letter
      • VIC – Veterans Identification Card
    • Documents MUST BE submitted in person at one our visitor centers during business hours or attached to the online application. Payment will be accepted in the form of cash, check or Visa/MasterCard.

Camping Prices

Reservoirs: Horsetooth, Carter Lake, Flatiron and Pinewood

Type of CampingWeekday (per night)Weekend (per night)Holiday 
per night)
Non-electric campsite (April - September)$25$30$35
Non-electric campsite (October - March)$25$25n/a
Electric campsite (April – September)$35$45$55
Electric campsite (October – March)$25$30n/a
Full hookups campsite – Horsetooth Reservoir (April – September)$45$60$65
Full hookups campsite – Horsetooth Reservoir (October – March)$30$35n/a
Boat-in campsite – Horsetooth Reservoir (April – September)$30$35$40
Camper cabins (April – September)$90$115$130
Tipis - Flatiron Reservoir (FT1, FT2, FT3, May 15 – October 15)$50$65$75
Group Electric Pods at Sky View Campground - Carter Lake (April - Sept)$175$225$275
Group Electric Pods at Sky View Campground - Carter Lake (Oct - Mar)$125$150n/a

Hermit Park Open Space

Type of CampingWeekday (per night)Weekend (per night)Holiday
(per night)
Non-electric campsite (March – December)$35$45$50
Equestrian campsite (May – September)$45$60$65
Camper cabins (May – October)$110$145$165
Camper cabins (November, December, March, April)$90$115n/a

FAQs

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  1. What locations have Text2Park?

    Text2Park launches at select Horsetooth Reservoir parking areas in October 2024 with the aim of expanding to other LCDNR parking areas through 2025.

    Available locations include Satanka Bay, Skyline, Sunrise and Rotary Park at Horsetooth Reservoir.

  2. Can I still pay at a visitor center or at the self-serve station?

    Yes. Text2 Park does not eliminate any other method already established to pay for parking. You can still pay through the self-service pay stations at parks and open spaces or by purchasing daily or annual permits at the Horsetooth Area Information Center, Natural Resources Administrative Offices, or our office at Hermit Park.

  3. What if I do not have a signal to process the payment?

    We have installed several “hotspots” near popular parking areas to assist payment. If you do not have a signal, please pay through the self-service stations using a credit card or debit card, or purchase a permit at a visitor center or gatehouse.

  4. When will you issue a parking citation?

    Citations will be issued to the vehicle owner if no permit payment is found in the Text2Park system (tied to license plate), no receipt is visible on the dashboard originating from a self-serve pay machine, no gatehouse day use note is visible, or no annual permit is visible.