Shuttle Buses and Public Transit

Rocky Mountain National Park Shuttle Bus

NPS

Rocky Mountain National Park Shuttle Bus Routes

 

RMNP Shuttle Route Map - Showing the Hiker Shuttle Route, Bear Lake Road Route, and Moraine Park Route

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.

• Passengers will park their vehicles in the Town of Estes Park and board the Hiker Shuttle in front of the Estes Park Visitor Center.
• The Hiker Shuttle does not pick up passengers at any other locations in Estes Park or in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Hiker Shuttle Tickets are required to ride the Hiker Shuttle. They are $2.00 and cover up to 4 people in a party. Hiker Shuttle Tickets are can only be reserved through www.recreation.gov.

Hiker Shuttle Ticket Holders will also need a valid park pass to enter RMNP.

• Are you, or someone in your party an annual or lifetime park pass holder? If not, park entrance passes can be purchased online through Recreation.gov.
• Click here to purchase your park entrance fee online.

Once at Park & Ride, passengers may transfer to the Bear Lake or Moraine Park Shuttles to reach desired trailhead destinations. Some hiking trails are accessed directly from Park & Ride.

The Hiker Shuttle does not make any other stops in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Dates	Daily service: May 27 to October 10, 2022. Advanced Reservations are Required.
	The Hiker Shuttle provides service from the Estes Park Visitor Center to RMNP's Park & Ride Transit Hub, located on Bear Lake Road. The Hiker Shuttle does not make any other stops in the park. At the Park & Ride Transit Hub, passengers may transfer to the Bear Lake or Moraine Park Shuttles to reach desired destinations and trailheads. Some trailheads are located directly at Park & Ride. Departure Times for Hiker Shuttle buses leaving the Estes Park Visitor Center and heading to Rocky Mountain National Park: 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 Hiker Shuttle will return to the Estes Park Visitor Center from Park & Ride 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 last shuttle of the day will depart from Park & Ride to return back to the Estes Park Visitor Center at 5:15 pm. There are no other buses to Estes Park; Be sure not to miss the last shuttle bus. Seating on each bus is limited, passengers are required to depart from the Estes Park Visitor Center using the specific shuttle time slot that was reserve. If a Hiker Shuttle reservation has been booked the bus departing at 10 am, those passengers must depart on the 10 am bus. If someone misses their bus, they cannot transfer a Hiker Shuttle reservation to a different bus. To return to the Estes Park Visitor Center, passengers may use any returning Hiker Shuttle bus throughout the day.
Fee	Hiker Shuttle reservations are $2.00. One reservation covers up to 4 passengers in a party. If there are additional people in your party, a different person using a different Recreation.gov account will need to book an additional Hiker Shuttle reservation.
Route	Makes stops only at The Estes Park Visitor Center The Park & Ride Transit Hub in RMNP

 

For additional information, please see below for Frequently Asked Questions about the Hiker Shuttle.

 

Free In-Park Shuttles

 

Bear Lake Shuttle Route

Dates	Daily service: May 27 through October 16
Schedule	Buses arrive every 10–15 minutes - First Bus of the Day Arrives at Park & Ride at 6:30 am - Last Bus of the Day Departs Bear Lake at 7:00 pm
Fee	Free
Route	Makes stops at Park & Ride Bierstadt Lake Trailhead Glacier Gorge Trailhead Bear Lake

 

Moraine Park Shuttle Route

Dates	Daily service: May 27 through October 16
Schedule	Every 30 minutes from 6:30 am to 7:00 pm First Bus of the Day Arrives at Park & Ride at 6:30 am Last Bus of the Day Departs from the Fern Lake Trailhead at 7:00 pm
Fee	Free
Route	Makes stops at Park & Ride Sprague Lake/Glacier Creek Stables Hollowell Park Tuxedo Park Moraine Park Campground (C Loop) Cub Lake Trailhead Fern Lake Bus Stop

 

Why Should You Use the Bear Lake Corridor Shuttle?

• Park your vehicle once and enjoy access to many hiking trails and destinations located along the Bear Lake Road corridor.
• Help reduce vehicle emissions in the park.
• Enjoy the beautiful scenery without the distraction and stress of traffic congestion and limited parking.
• Parking areas along the Bear Lake Road fill most days during the summer season. The free shuttle buses provide the only access to destinations along Bear Lake Road during those peak hours each day.

 

Notes and Tips

• There are no shuttle bus services on the west side of the park or across Trail Ridge Road. There are several commercial shuttle tours in the Estes area. Contact the Estes Park Visitor Center for information.
• There are no bike racks on shuttle buses.
• Most shuttle buses are accessible and can accommodate wheelchairs. Contact shuttle staff or rangers 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.)

 

RMNP Hiker Shuttle picking up passengers at the Estes Park Visitor Center

NPS

 

Frequently Asked Questions About the Hiker Shuttle During Timed Entry

   Why is Rocky Mountain National Park Implementing Reservations on the Hiker Shuttle?

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. 

   How Do I Make a Reservation for the Hiker Shuttle?

Hiker Shuttle reservations are available at https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10088647. One reservation is $2.00 and covers up to 4 people.

   When Do Hiker Shuttle Reservations Go On Sale?

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.

   How Far in Advance Can I Make a Reservation for the Hiker Shuttle?

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.

   Where Does the Hiker Shuttle Go?

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.
 

   How Long is the Hiker Shuttle Ride?

It will take approximately 45 minutes to 1-hour to ride the Hiker Shuttle one-way. Timing will vary, depending upon traffic.

   Can I Bring My Vehicle into the Park Using My Hiker Shuttle Ticket?

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.

   My Family Wants to Ride the Shuttle from Estes Park to Rocky. Does Everyone Need a Reservation?

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.

   Can I Ride the Hiker Shuttle if a Member of My Party is in a Wheelchair?

Yes, Hiker Shuttle buses are accessible and available for visitors of all abilities. 

   I Have a Lifetime or Annual Pass to the Park, Do I Need a Reservation to Ride the Hiker Shuttle?

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.  

   My Hiker Shuttle Reservation is for 9 am, Can I Take a 10 am Bus to Rocky Instead?

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.

   When Does the Last Hiker Shuttle of the Day Depart from Rocky Mountain National Park?

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. 

   When I am Ready to Return to my Vehicle, Can I Take Any Returning Shuttle?

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. 

   Can I Take My Bike on the Hiker Shuttle?

No, bicycles are not permitted on the Hiker Shuttle or on any of Rocky Mountain National Park's Shuttle buses. 

   Can I Take My Pet on the Hiker Shuttle Bus?

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.

   Can I Transfer My Reservation or get a Refund?

No, all reservations are non-transferrable and non-refundable. 

 

CDOT

Bustang Now Serves Rocky Mountain National Park

Did you know that Bustang offers public transportation from Denver, Boulder and Lyons to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park?

For route schedules and to learn more, visit Bustang's webpage.

 

Bustang Bus providing service to RMNP

NPS