Entrance Permits and Camping Prices

Before You Go: Permits

Effective January 1, 2024, Natural Resources ended permit sales at retailers JAX Outdoor, Kwik Korner, REI, and Scheels.
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 operating expenses (trash collection, restroom supplies, picnic tables, etc.) and personnel expenses (rangers and maintenance staff out on the parks and open spaces). 

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

  • Valid date of purchase through noon of the next day.
  • Attach your permit to the lower inside passenger windshield.
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

Daily entrance permits are available at gatehouses and self-serve stations prior to entering the parks, at the Natural Resources Administrative Offices, the Horsetooth Area Information Center, and the Hermit Park Office. (Note: self-serve stations are available 24/7 but only accept debit/credit card payments)

  • Effective November 2021: Daily Entrance Permits can be purchased online with a camping reservation.
  • If you have a Larimer County Annual parks pass for your vehicle, then do not input your vehicle info when reserving a campsite.
  • To show proof of Daily Permits, print and display the first page of your confirmation email and place it on the lower corner passenger side dashboard area of the corresponding vehicle. 
  • Campers who pre-purchase their vehicle 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.

An example of an annual resident permit for the windshield. Annual Entrance Permits   Order Online

  1. Valid for 12 months from the end of the month purchased.
  2. 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