![]() NPS Rocky Mountain National Park Shuttle Bus Routes
![]() NPS Hiker Shuttle
Staying in Estes Park? The Hiker Shuttle provides service to passengers 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.
For additional information, please see below for Frequently Asked Questions about the Hiker Shuttle. Free In-Park ShuttlesBear Lake Shuttle Route
Moraine Park Shuttle Route
Why Should You Use the Bear Lake Corridor Shuttle?
Notes and Tips
![]() NPS Frequently Asked Questions About the Hiker Shuttle During Timed Entry Seating capacity on the Hiker Shuttle bus is limited and rider demand is high. In 2019, visitors interested in riding on the Hiker Shuttle experienced wait times from one to two hours to board a bus.
Reservations will improve the visitor experience by guaranteeing that everyone in your party will be able to board a specific bus at a specific time and minimize congestion, crowding, and wait times. Hiker Shuttle reservations are available at https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10088647. One reservation is $2.00 and covers up to 4 people.
Hiker Shuttle Reservations will go on sale at 5:00 pm on the night before. So, if you want to visit the park on June 3, Hiker Shuttle Reservations will be available at www.recreation.gov at 5:00 pm mountain time on June 2.
Reservations can be booked beginning at 5:00 pm on the night before your desired departure day. For example, to ride the Hiker Shuttle on May 28, a reservation can only be made beginning at 5:00 pm mountain time on May 27.
The Hiker Shuttle provides service from the Estes Park Visitor Center to the Park & Ride Transit Hub, which is located inside Rocky Mountain National Park on Bear Lake Road.
The Hiker Shuttle does not provide service to any other destinations inside Rocky Mountain National Park. It will take approximately 45 minutes to 1-hour to ride the Hiker Shuttle one-way. Timing will vary, depending upon traffic.
No, private vehicle access is not permitted with your Hiker Shuttle ticket. You will need a Private Vehicle Timed Entry Permit Reservation to enter the park using your vehicle. Those can be found at https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10086910.
All passengers who want to ride the Hiker Shuttle from the Estes Park Visitor Center to Rocky Mountain National Park need a reservation. One reservation covers up to 4 people of any age. If there are four people or less in a party, only one reservation will be needed.
If there are five or more people in a party, a different person using a different Recreation.gov account will need to book a second reservation. One person cannot book two Hiker Shuttle reservations for the same date. Yes, Hiker Shuttle buses are accessible and available for visitors of all abilities.
Yes, to ride the Hiker Shuttle you will need two things: a valid park pass or entrance fee and a Hiker Shuttle Reservation. Reservations are non-transferrable and valid for one day only.
If you have a valid America The Beautiful Interagency Senior, Access, Military, or Annual Pass, then you are covered for your entrance fee. Your party will still need a reservation to ride the Hiker Shuttle. Reservations are only available at https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10088647 and the cost is $2.00 per reservation. No, you must board the bus for the time slot that matches your Hiker Shuttle Reservation. Hiker Shuttle Buses depart from the Estes Park Visitor Center at 9 am, 9:45 am, 10:30 am, 11:15 am, 12:00 pm, 12:45 pm, 1:30 pm, and 2:15 pm.
The last Hiker Shuttle of the day departs from Park & Ride at 5:15 pm daily. Passengers are advised to watch the time and to return to the Park & Ride Transit Hub well before 5:15 pm.
If someone misses the last bus of the day, there are no other buses or public transit available that provide service to Estes Park. Yes, while all passengers are required to use the specific shuttle that corresponds with the time slot that was reserved to enter Rocky, passengers may return to the Estes Park Visitor Center using any return shuttle throughout the day.
Hiker Shuttle buses leave from the Park & Ride Transit Hub and return to the Estes Park Visitor Center at the following times: 9:45 am, 10:15 am, 11:15 am, 12:00 pm, 12:45 pm, 1:30 pm, 3:00 pm, 3:45 pm, 4:30 pm, and 5:15 pm. The 5:15 pm bus is the last bus of the day. Expect this bus to be crowded. No, bicycles are not permitted on the Hiker Shuttle or on any of Rocky Mountain National Park's Shuttle buses.
No, pets are not permitted on the Hiker Shuttle or on any Rocky Mountain National Park Shuttle bus. Pets are also not permitted on any hiking trails in Rocky.
No, all reservations are non-transferrable and non-refundable.
![]() CDOT Bustang Now Serves Rocky Mountain National ParkDid you know that Bustang offers public transportation from Denver, Boulder and Lyons to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park? ![]() NPS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Last updated: June 28, 2022