Shuttle Bus Routes

Expect Changes in Operations Due to COVID-19

Shuttle bus operations within the Bear Lake Road corridor will begin on May 27. It is unknown at this time whether the Hiker Shuttle from the Estes Park Visitor Center will be operating this summer. In order to practice proper social distancing to minimize community spread of COVID-19, the capacity of the shuttle buses in the Bear Lake Corridor will be limited to 15 passengers per trip.

Bear Lake Parking Area Closed - Oct. 18-23, 2020

The upper portion of Bear Lake Road, past the Glacier Gorge parking area, will be closed the week of October 19 for road work. This work is being done to mitigate the effects of a weeping spring that has caused damage to this section of road. This closure will begin late Sunday night, October 18, and last through Friday, October 23.

Due to this road work, the Bear Lake parking area will be closed. The Glacier Gorge Trailhead parking area will be open and has limited parking that fills early in the day. Park visitors are encouraged to park at the Park & Ride lot to board a shuttle bus. The shuttle bus schedule has been extended for this project and will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, shuttles will be limited to 20 percent of the bus capacity or about 20 riders per shuttle.

Visitors seeking to hike around Bear Lake and surrounding trails to Nymph, Dream and Emerald Lake or Flattop Mountain, will need to hike the approximate 3/4 mile trail from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead to Bear Lake.

 

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2020 Shuttle Bus Schedule

 

Hiker Express Route

Note: Entrance pass required. Learn more about fees, including how to buy your pass online.
Not currently operating due to COVID-19.

Dates	Daily service: TBD due to COVID-19
Schedule	Hourly 7:30 am to 10 am Every 30 minutes from 10 am to 6 pm Hourly 6 pm to 8 pm
Route	Makes stops only at the Estes Park Visitor Center Park & Ride

 

Bear Lake Route

Dates	Daily service: May 27 to October 18 (15 passenger limit due to COVID-19)
Schedule	Every 10–15 minutes from 7 am to 7:30 pm
Route	Makes stops at Park & Ride Bierstadt Lake Trailhead Glacier Gorge Trailhead Bear Lake

 

Moraine Park Route

Dates	Daily service: May 27 to October 18 (15 passenger limit due to COVID-19)
Schedule	Every 30 minutes from 7 am to 7:30 pm
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 Take the Park Shuttle Bus?

• Access many destination and loop hikes along the Bear Lake Road corridor.
• Cut down on vehicle emissions in the park.
• Enjoy the beautiful scenery without the distraction and hassle of traffic congestion and limited parking.
• Parking areas along the Bear Lake Road fill most days during the summer and the buses provide the only access 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.)