Ride a bus …

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.

2009 Shuttle Schedule for Bear Lake and Moraine Park Routes

The buses run weekends starting Memorial Day Weekend (May 23, 24, 25) and May 30 & 31, June 6 & 7 through June 7. Daily service starts June 13 through September 27. There are two routes: The Bear Lake Route and the Moraine Park Route. 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 7:00 a.m. and the last bus leaves at 7:00 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. These 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. These buses run every 30 minutes.

Click here for a map of the shuttle bus routes.

2009 Hiker Shuttle Between Town of Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park

The 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 Visitor Center to the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and continue to the Park & Ride.

The hiker shuttle will operate daily service from June 27 through September 7. The hiker shuttle will operate on weekends only the remainder of September (Sep. 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 26 & 27).

The first bus will leave the Town of Estes Park Visitor Center at 6:30 a.m. and the last bus will leave the Park & Ride bound for Estes Park at 8:00 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 the leave the Estes Park Visitor Center at 7:30 p.m.  

Click here for a hiker shuttle map. (pdf)

Town of Estes Park Visitor Shuttle

The “Visitor Shuttle” will operate daily from June 27 through Labor Day, and on weekends through September. There will be three routes this year; the Blue, Red, and Brown Routes.

Blue Route
Operates 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m., stops approximately every 30 minutes. The Blue Route will travel east from the Estes Park Visitor Center along Route 34: Stops at Budget Host, Best Western, Grumpy Gringo, Lake Estes Marina, Ride-A-Kart, KOA Campground, Rodeway Inn, Lower Stanley Village, Stanley Hotel, Rocky Mountain Traders, and Barlow Plaza.

Red Route
Operates 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m., stops every 30 minutes. The Red Route will travel west from the Estes Park Visitor Center along Elkhorn Avenue and Fall River Road: Stops at Town Hall, Timber Creed Chalets, Fall River Visitor Center, McGregor Mountain Lodge, Estes Park Condos, Boulder Brook, Stonebrook Resort, Nicky's Resort, Four Seasons on Fall River, Mrs. Walsh's Garden, Grubsteak, Rocky Mountain Traders, and Barlow Plaza.

Brown Route
Operates 10 a.m.-7 p.m., stops every hour. The Brown Route will travel south of the Estes Park Visitor Center along Route 7 and Mary's Lake Road: Stops at Mary's Lake Lodge, Mary's Lake Campground, National Park Village, Alpine Trail Ridge Inn, Elk Meadow Lodge & RV Park, Estes Park Campground, YMCA-Estes Park Center, Glacier Lodge, Rockmount Cottages, Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, Worldmark, Piccadilly Square, and Barlow Plaza.

Click here for a map of the Shopper Shuttle.