A Complete Guide to Shuttles in Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park

Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are wonderful road-trip destinations, but what if you do not have a car?

Some areas of Rocky Mountain National Park are accessible via the optional, free shuttle system to the Bear Lake Corridor as well as Moraine Park during the peak season (Memorial Day through September). There are even shuttle buses that arrive from Denver daily during the summer and once in Estes Park, there are options to take shuttles throughout town or into Rocky Mountain National Park. However, you will need a private vehicle to access the Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road, two of the parks most popular attractions.

During the summer, the shuttle stops right by my home in Estes Park. I love using it and I like to avoid driving if I can so I’ve researched all the possibilities of getting around using alternative transportation.  Read on to find out how the individual shuttle systems work, how they integrate with each other, and tips on finding other alternative transportation.

DISCOVER: The Best Times to Visit Rocky Mountain + 3 Times to Avoid

Rocky Mountain National Park’s Shuttle System

From the Friday of Memorial Day weekend to mid-October, Rocky Mountain offers a free shuttle system within the Bear Lake Corridor, the most popular area of the Park.  No reservations are required. This system connects with the Hiker Shuttle, which leaves from the Estes Park Visitor Center every 45 minutes starting at 9 a.m. to bring guests to the Park and Ride, located just past the Glacier Basin Campground on Bear Lake Road.

Key Points about the Hiker’s Shuttle

1.  There is no other public transportation to and from Estes Park into Rocky Mountain!  The last Hiker Shuttle leaves the Park and Ride to return to the Visitor Center in Estes Park at 5:15 p.m. Don’t be late – there is little to no cell reception in Rocky Mountain and you don’t want to get stranded!

2.  To take the Hiker’s Shuttle, you must first get a reservation on recreation.gov; up to four seats (tickets) can be reserved per $2 reservation.

3.  Everyone in your party – including infants – needs a reserved seat.  Be sure to edit the reservation to include a ticket for everyone who is traveling with you. 

4.  A timed-entry reservation is not needed when taking the Hiker Shuttle, but a Park Pass is.

Once at the Park and Ride at Glacier Basin, there are connections to the Rocky Mountain free shuttle, which travels along the Bear Lake Corridor and into Moraine Park. Taking this shuttle system has many advantages, including access to trailheads throughout the Bear Lake area.

The Bear Lake Shuttle leaves from the Park and Ride every 10-15 minutes and stops at the Bierstadt Lake Trailhead, the Glacier Gorge Trailhead, and at Bear Lake.  The Bear Lake Shuttle starts at 6:30 a.m. from the Park and Ride and the last shuttle of the day leaves Bear Lake for the Park and Ride at 7:30 p.m.

The Moraine Park Shuttle leaves at 6:30 a.m. from the Park and Ride with stops at Sprague Lake/Glacier Creek Stables, Hollowell Park, Tuxedo Park, Moraine Park Campground (C Loop), Cub Lake Trailhead and the Fern Lake Bus Stop.  The last shuttle of the day leaves the Fern Lake Bus Stop for the Park and Ride at 7:30 p.m.; but, if you need to connect to the Bear Lake Parking lot or Glacier Gorge, you’ll need to board the Moraine Park Shuttle by 6:30 p.m.

Town of Estes Park Shuttle System

Estes Park also offers a free shuttle service, which runs daily from Memorial Day Weekend, and on weekends in September.  There are five color-coded routes with many stops along the way, ending up at the Estes Park Visitor Center, which serves as the Town’s transportation hub.  The red route is the electric trolley route, which travels up and down Elkhorn Avenue, reaching each stop every 10-15 minutes.  The trolley route runs from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

All of the other color-coded routes reach each stop in 30-minute intervals, from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.  This informative video published by Visit Estes Park gives you the ins and outs of the parking and shuttle system in Estes Park: https://youtu.be/w3LNWVt3SiI

The map above shows the shuttle stops for each route.

Shuttles from Denver

There are many companies that provide shuttle services from Denver, and while I personally have never used any of them, a Google search will set you up with one (be sure to read the reviews). 

But I want to let you in on one of the best-kept secrets in the state: Bustang.  Operated by the Colorado Department of Transportation, Bustang offers an opportunity to travel all the way from Denver to Estes Park or Rocky Mountain for $7.50 per adult, each with two personal items. Children ride for $2.50 each. 

Bustang is the epitome of luxury public transportation featuring climate control, restrooms, Wi-Fi, power outlets with USB ports, luggage bays, and bike racks!  No bus benches here, the seats are cushioned and reclinable, with armrests; there are about 50 seats per coach.  The coaches are fully handicapped accessible.

The best part? Since the bus travels directly into Rocky Mountain National Park before stopping at the Park and Ride at Glacier Basin, there are no Timed-Entry Reservations required for its most popular area: the Bear Lake Corridor!  You will, however, need a Park Pass (see above).

The catch? Bustang only offers service on weekends and holiday Mondays.  The service began in 2019 and hasn’t really caught on yet.   But this is by far the cheapest, easiest way to shuttle from Denver (and several points west along Highway 36) to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.

READ: Four Spectacular Rocky Mountain Road Trips

Other Alternative Transportation Options

While the public transportation options are somewhat limited in Estes Park, there is no shortage of tour companies that can meet you at a convenient spot to take you into Rocky Mountain National Park on a tour. 

Read: Driving in Rocky Mountain National Park: 10 Things to Know

Conclusion

One final thought about the shuttle system. During the summer, there is a free shuttle bus that stops every half-hour, right on the corner where I live in Estes Park. It is wonderfully convenient…if I am not in a hurry.  Its main stop is at the Estes Park Visitor Center, which serves as the town’s transportation hub all summer long. There, I can catch the hiker’s shuttle to go into Rocky Mountain, or I can connect with other shuttle lines that travel throughout Estes Park.

However, if I am going to work or trying to keep an appointment, I must drive – there are just too many delays taking the shuttle system. Delays are caused by many factors including pedestrian congestion, “elk jams” (large herds of elk crossing the road), and construction. But I prefer to take the shuttle so I do as much as I can.

If you make your Estes Park/Rocky Mountain National Park trip using only buses and shuttles, I thank you.  This is an important step in efforts to reduce pollution and combat climate change.   Happy riding, everyone!

FIND OUT: Is Rocky Mountain National Park Too Crowded? What Every Traveler Needs to Know

Need Help with Trip Planning?

Rocky Mountain is crowded!

Need a game plan to avoid the crowds? Check out our itinerary. 

Most travelers want to visit the most popular sites and still avoid the crowds. We have a detailed itinerary that gives you a step-by-step game plan so you can get to the best places at the right times.