Ride a bus …
Three bus routes service Rocky Mountain National Park's visitors.

The Bear Lake and Moraine Park shuttles operate within the park and connect many trailheads as well as Moraine Park and Glacier Basin Campgrounds.

The Hiker Shuttle is an express route between the town of Estes Park Visitors Center and Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and Park and Ride in Rocky Mountain National Park.

In addition, the town of Estes Park operates a Visitor Shuttle which transports visitors throughout the town of Estes Park, connecting shops, restaurants, attractions, campgrounds, and more.

2011 Shuttle Schedule: Bear Lake and Moraine Park Routes
Using Rocky Mountain National Park's free shuttle bus service enables you to access many destination and loop hikes along the Bear Lake Road corridor while enjoying the beautiful scenery without the distraction and hassle of traffic congestion and limited parking. Shuttle buses run between many trailheads, Moraine Park Visitor Center, and Moraine Park and Glacier Basin Campgrounds.

The buses run weekends starting Memorial Day Weekend (May 28, 29 & 30) through June 5. Daily service starts June 11 and ends October 2. Both routes are based at the Park & Ride shuttle bus parking area across from the Glacier Basin Campground. The first bus departs from Park & Ride at 7 a.m. and the last bus leaves at 7 p.m. The last bus of the day leaves Bear Lake and Fern Lake Trailheads at 7:30 p.m.

The Bear Lake Route shuttle makes the round trip between the Park & Ride and Bear Lake. Buses run every 10 to 15 minutes.

The Moraine Park Route shuttle makes the round trip between the Park & Ride and the Fern Lake Trailhead bus stop. Buses run every 30 minutes.

Click here for a map of the shuttle bus routes.

2011 Hiker Shuttle: Town of Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park and the Town of Estes Park express route known as the Hiker Shuttle will run from the Town of Estes Park Visitors Center, stop at Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, and continue to Park & Ride.

The hiker shuttle will operate daily from June 25 through September 5. The hiker shuttle will operate on weekends only during through October 2.

 The first bus will leave the Town of Estes Park Visitor Center at 6:30 a.m. and the last bus will leave Park & Ride bound for Estes Park at 8 p.m. on all scheduled days. The hiker shuttle will run on an hourly schedule early and late in the day; switching to a half hour schedule during the peak of the day (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.).

A park pass will be required to board the bus. Passes can be purchased at automated fee machines located at the Estes Park Visitor Center and Beaver Meadows Visitor Center. Campers who are staying at Moraine Park Campground and Glacier Basin Campground can also utilize this route to go to Estes Park, leaving their cars and/or RVs behind in these two park campgrounds. The last bus coming to the park will leave the Estes Park Visitor Center at 7:30 p.m.

Click here for a hiker shuttle map. (pdf)

2011 Visitor Shuttle: Town of Estes Park
The Visitor Shuttle will operate daily from June 25 through September 11. There will be three routes this year; the Blue, Red, and Brown Routes.

Silver Shuttle at Fairgrounds Park-n-Ride
Estes Park's free shuttles are easy to find. If you're arriving in Estes Park on Highway 36, turn left on 4th Street and follow the signs to the new Park-n-Ride next to the Fairgrounds at Stanley Park where nearly 400 parking spaces await. Step aboard a silver shuttle, which leaves the shelter every 15 minutes for a loop to the Estes Park Visitor Center and back. The silver shuttle runs continuously from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. 

Shuttles at Estes Park Visitor Center
You can also park at the Visitor Center's lot at the intersection of Highways 34 and 36 and walk downtown along the pleasant Riverwalk, or board the Red, Blue and Brown shuttle routes which take you to the central business district and outlying lodging and amusement areas. At each stop riders will find a map and a schedule for each route. During heavy traffic, shuttles may be delayed five to 10 minutes.

Red and Blue Shuttle Routes
The red shuttle takes visitors to several stops in central downtown and to lodging west along Fall River Road to Rocky Mountain National Park's Fall River Visitor Center. The blue shuttle stops downtown and the Stanley Hotel and then travels east to the lodging and amusements along Big Thompson Avenue. Both shuttles make the loop every half hour beginning at 10 a.m. and continue until 6:30 p.m.

From 7- 9 p.m., one shuttle bus services both routes, alternating between Blue and Red. The shuttle leaves the Visitor Center for the Blue route at 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.; the shuttle leaves the Visitor Center for the Red route at 7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Brown Shuttle Route
Because the Brown shuttle visits the far reaches of the Estes Valley, from Marys Lake Lodge to the south to the YMCA of the Rockies and Beaver Meadows Visitors Center to the west, it leaves the Visitor Center every hour beginning at 10 a.m. The Brown shuttle stops downtown and travels to the lodging and campgrounds along Moraine Avenue, Marys Lake Road, Spur 66 and Highway 34 to the Beaver Meadows Visitors Center at the south entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. The last Brown shuttle leaves the Visitor Center at 8 p.m.

Click here for a map of the Visitor Shuttle.