The simplest and most stress-free way to steer through Estes Park is via the free, seasonal shuttle system. The downtown trolley and shuttle bus routes allow you to park the car, bus or RV at one of the major hubs and be on your way. You no longer need to listen to the GPS ‘recalculate' or to all five back-seat drivers offering advice on where to park! The five town shuttle routes and the Rocky Mountain National Park hiker shuttle are easy to navigate and will get you just about anywhere you want to go.
There are five Town of Estes Park free shuttle routes and three Rocky Mountain National Park shuttles, covering all highways and major routes through the Estes Valley. For additional shuttle information call 970-577-9900, a handicapped-accessible bus is available by calling 970-586-4920. Transportation to Trail Ridge Road is provided through local Tour Operators.
In 2020, town shuttles will operate daily from July 1 through October 4. All shuttle route and stop information is available at estes.org/shuttles.
Download the 2021 Shuttle Map & Brochure.
The Rocky Mountain National Park shuttles operate from late May through early October and offer hikers and day-trippers easy access to the most frequented areas of the park. Entry fees do apply and park passes are available for purchase at Rocky Mountain National Park Visitor Center and entrance stations. You can also buy 1-day, 7-day, and annual passes online here. View and download a map of the park shuttles here.
The Hiker Shuttle from the Estes Park Visitor Center into Rocky Mountain National Park will not be operating this (2020) 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.
The largest parking area is the Park & Ride stop located at the Fairgrounds at Stanley Park at 1209 Manford Avenue, just east of Highway 7 and south of Highway 36. This parking lot is serviced by the Green and Silver Route daily, while season shuttles are in operation. Public restrooms also are found at this location.
The Estes Park Visitor Center offers guests parking, with the new Estes Park Parking Structure hosting 415 spots, restrooms and access to all five town shuttles, including the downtown trolley, as well as the Rocky Mountain National Park hiker shuttle. Located at 500 Big Thompson Avenue, the visitor center also provides free Wi-Fi and visitor information.
With shuttle routes passing nearly every lodging property in the Estes Valley, you likely can hop on very close to your hotel - avoiding driving and parking altogether. All town shuttles link to the Rocky Mountain National Park hiker shuttle as well, so park access is virtually outside your door!
On Wednesday, Nov. 18, Estes Transit will begin providing weekly transportation service using the Town’s new fully-electric trolley. This new “winter service pilot program” is completely free and available for passengers of all ages and abilities. Reservations are not required and the trolley is fully equipped with a wheelchair lift. The new service will run continuously from 2– 5 p.m. each Wednesday through May 26, 2021, serving the following fixed route of stops:
Stop Approximate Departure Time
Estes Transit takes the health and safety of our riders and drivers very seriously. In line with the State of Colorado’s
guidance for transportation providers (released Nov. 2, 2020), this service will operate at 50% of seated capacity (or a
maximum of 13 total passengers). Face coverings are required on board for passengers and drivers, including children
over the age of two. Please do not ride Estes Transit if you are sick, have tested positive for COVID-19, or you think or
know that you have been exposed to COVID-19.