Shuttle Buses and Public Transit

 
2024 Shuttle Schedule and Route Map

NPS

 

Bear Lake Shuttle Route

Dates

Daily service for summer 2024 begins May 24 through October 20.

Schedule

Beginning at 6:30 a.m., the Bear Lake Shuttle Runs Every 10-15 Minutes


The first shuttle of the day departs Park & Ride at 6:30 a.m.

The last shuttle of the day departs from Bear Lake and returns to Park & Ride at 7:30 p.m.

Fee

Free

Route

Shuttle Stops (In Order)

  • Park & Ride

  • Bierstadt Lake Trailhead

  • Glacier Gorge Trailhead

  • Bear Lake

 

Moraine Park Shuttle Route

Dates

Park Shuttles are in Operation Daily Through October 20, 2024.

Schedule

Beginning at 6:30 a.m., the Moraine Park Shuttle Runs Every 60 minutes


The first Moraine Park Shuttle will depart from Park & Ride at 6:30 a.m.

The last Moraine Park Shuttle of the day will depart from the Fern Lake Bus Stop and return to Park & Ride at 7:30 p.m.

If returning to Glacier Gorge or Bear Lake Parking Area, plan to board the Moraine Park Shuttle at 6:30 p.m.

Fee

Free

Route

Shuttle Stops (in order)

  • Park & Ride Transit Hub

  • Sprague Lake/Glacier Creek Stables

  • Glacier Basin Campground

  • Park & Ride Transit Hub

  • Hollowell Park

  • Tuxedo Park

  • Moraine Park Campground (C Loop)

  • Cub Lake Trailhead

  • Fern Lake Bus Stop

 
One Bear Lake Shuttle is departing from Bear Lake Parking and a second is arriving
RMNP Shuttle picking up passengers

NPS

How Can Riding RMNP's In-Park Shuttle Improve My Visit?
There are many advantages to riding the Moraine Park or Bear Lake Shuttle when exploring the Bear Lake Road Corridor, such as:

  • Riding the shuttle is free, it allows visitors to park your vehicle once then and enjoy easy access to all destinations and hiking trails located along the Bear Lake Road Corridor.
  • Riding the shuttle helps to reduce vehicle emissions in the park.
  • As a passenger on the shuttle, riders can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Bear Lake Road without the distraction and stress of navigating traffic congestion searching for limited parking.
 
RMNP Hiker Shuttle at the EPVC
RMNP Hiker Shuttle picking up passengers at the Estes Park Visitor Center

NPS

Ride the Hiker Shuttle

What is the Hiker Shuttle and When Does it Operate?

Daily Service for the 2024 Summer Season is available through September 2
Saturday & Sunday Only Service begins September 7 through October 20

The Hiker Shuttle provides service to passengers departing from the Estes Park Visitor Center, located in the Town of Estes Park, to Rocky Mountain National Park's Park & Ride Transit Hub, located on Bear Lake Road, and back.

  • To ride the Hiker Shuttle, tickets are required. All passengers, regardless of age, must have their own ticket.
  • Hiker Shuttle Tickets are available a first-come, first-served basis through www.recreation.gov.. Hiker Shuttle Tickets are $2 per transaction.
  • One person can purchase up to 4 Hiker Shuttle Tickets per day, per transaction. If there are more than 4 people in your party, a second person with a second Recreation.gov account will need to purchase additional tickets. During check out, you will need to change the number of tickets (between 1 to 4) to match the number of people in your party.
  • Passengers will board the Hiker Shuttle outside of the Estes Park Visitor Center.
  • After boarding the Hiker Shuttle, the bus will drop off passengers at the Park & Ride Transit Hub inside Rocky Mountain National Park. Once at Park & Ride, passengers may transfer to the park's free Bear Lake or Moraine Park Shuttles to reach destinations located along the Bear Lake Road Corridor.
  • The Hiker Shuttle does not pick up or drop-off passengers at any other locations in Estes Park or in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Hiker Shuttle Schedule

  • For buses departing from the Estes Park Visitor Center and going to Park & Ride

9 a.m., 9:45 a.m.,
10:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12 p.m., 12:45 p.m.,
1:30 p.m.,
and 2:15 p.m.

Hiker Shuttle Schedule

  • For buses Leaving Park & Ride and returning to the Estes Park Visitor Center

9:45 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12 p.m.,
12:45 p.m., 1:30 p.m.,
3 p.m., 3:45 p.m.,
4:30 p.m., 5:15 p.m.
and 6 p.m.

 

When Can I Reserve My Hiker Shuttle Tickets?

Hiker Shuttle Tickets will be released first-come, first-served on Recreation.gov based on the following schedule:

Release Date Reservation Dates
May 1 at 8 a.m. MDT May 24 - June 30
June 1 at 8 a.m. MDT July 1 - July 31
July 1 at 8 a.m. MDT August 1 - August 31
August 1 at 8 a.m. MDT September 1 - September 30
September 1 at 8 a.m. MDT October 1 - October 20


Additional Hiker Shuttle Tickets will be released on a first-come, first-served basis on Recreation.gov beginning at 7 p.m. MDT the night before a desired arrival date, beginning on May 23.

How Do I Make a Reservation for Hiker Shuttle Tickets?

All Hiker Shuttle Tickets are available online through Recreation.gov (take time to set up or update your Recreation.gov account first) or by:

  • Using the Recreation.gov Mobile App
  • Calling the Recreation.gov Reservation Line: 877-444-6777
  • Calling the Recreation.gov International Line: 606-515-6777
  • Calling the Recreation.gov TDD Line: 877-833-6777

Hiker Shuttle Tickets are not available in person at park entrance stations or park visitor centers. They are only available through Recreation.gov.

 

 

Additional Information & Frequently Asked Questions

  • Be advised, shuttle bus service is not available outside of the Bear Lake Road Corridor. There is no shuttle bus service on the west side of the park or across Trail Ridge Road.
  • There are no bike racks on the park's shuttle buses.
  • Most shuttle buses are accessible and can accommodate wheelchairs. Contact shuttle staff if accommodation is needed.
  • Pets are not allowed on shuttle buses except service animals that have been individually trained to perform specific tasks for the benefit of persons with disabilities. (Emotional support and service-animals-in-training are not service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act.)
 

Frequently Asked Questions About the Hiker Shuttle

 
A Bustang coach bus is pictured driving on Bear Lake Road inside Rocky Mountain National Park
Bustang to Estes provides service to Rocky Mountain National Park

CDOT

Bustang to Estes

CDOT's Bustang to Estes route provides service to RMNP's Bear Lake Road Corridor on Saturdays, Sundays, and select holidays during the summer 2024 season, beginning on Saturday, May 25. For route schedules and to purchase Bustang tickets, visit https://ridebustang.com/Estes-Park/.

Bustang buses will drop passengers off at RMNP's Park & Ride Transit Hub, where riders can then transfer to the park's Bear Lake or Moraine Park shuttles to access popular destinations like Moraine Park, Sprague Lake, Glacier Gorge, and Bear Lake.

All Bustang Riders coming to Rocky Mountain National Park are required to have a Bustang ticket (your timed entry permit is included) and a park entrance pass.
Park entrance passes can be purchased online via Recreation.gov at https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74291.

🎫 One Bustang rider should select the 1-Day Individual Pass for $15.

🎫 If there are 2 or more Bustang riders in your group, choose the 1-Day Vehicle Pass for $30. This will cover all members of your party. Be prepared to show your park pass to a park ranger upon arrival.

🎫 Passengers who already have an annual or lifetime park entrance pass should bring their annual or lifetime (Annual/Senior/Access/Military/4th Grade) park pass and their photo ID with them.

All Bustang Riders Coming to Rocky Mountain National Park Should be Prepared to Spend Their Day Outside

Please know:

➡️ There are no stores or food services available at Rocky Mountain National Park's Park & Ride.

➡️ Bustang riders are advised to bring full water bottles, food for the day, footwear and comfortable clothing for hiking (including a jacket and rain gear, sun protection/sunscreen and a hat).

As you plan for your trip, make sure you are prepared for the forecast weather conditions!

Last updated: August 16, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

1000 US Hwy 36
Estes Park, CO 80517

Phone:

970 586-1206
The Information Office is open year-round: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily in summer; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mondays - Fridays and 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Saturdays - Sundays in winter. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222.

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