Directions & Transportation

Rocky Mountain National Park encompasses 415 square miles of north central Colorado. The park has two gateway communities: the town of Estes Park on the east and the town of Grand Lake on the west.

• Car
  • From the east
  • From the west
• Plane
• Bus
• Public Transportation

 

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By Car

 

Know Before You Go

Trail Ridge Road is closed from approximately mid-October through late-May.

GPS apps and units don't always give accurate directions inside the park. Pick up a free park map when you enter the park or stop by any visitor center to ask for directions.

• Check road conditions outside the park
• Check road conditions inside the park
• Review, download, or print maps of the park

 

Driving Directions from the East

From Denver via Boulder/Hwy 36

Distance: 66 mi 106 km
Time: 1.5–2 hours
Take I-25 north to Exit 217 (US Hwy 36) to Estes Park

From Denver via Hwy 66

Distance: 71 mi 114 km
Time: 1.5–2 hours
Take I-25 north to Exit 243 (Hwy 66) to Estes Park

From Denver via the Peak to Peak Scenic By-way

Distance: 108 mi 174 km
Time: 2.5–3 hours
Take I-70 west to Exit 244 (US Hwy 6) to State Highway 119 to Nederland. From Nederland take State Hwy 72 to State Hwy 7 to Estes Park.

From Loveland via Hwy 34

US 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon between Loveland and Estes Park is now open to all traffic. Construction will continue in the canyon this summer and throughout the fall, and drivers could encounter up to 20-minute delays until paving and final touches are completed. Learn more.

 

Driving Directions from the West

From I-70 west of Denver

Distance: 61 mi 98 km
Time: 1.5–2 hours
Take I-70 to exit 232 (Empire) to US Hwy 40 to Granby to US Hwy 34 to Grand Lake. During the winter, US Hwy 40 can close or have restrictions due to snow.

From Kremmling / Hwy 40

Distance: 42 mi / 66 km
Time: 1–1.5 hours
Take US Hwy 40 east to Granby to US Hwy 34 to Grand Lake.

 

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By Plane

Denver International Airport (DEN) is the closest major airport. There is no public transportation from the airport to the park. Commercial shuttle service is available from the airport to Estes Park.

 

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By Bus

The Denver area and Granby are both served by Greyhound bus service.

During the summer season, the Hiker Shuttle provides transportation from Estes Park to RMNP's Park & Ride Transit Hub - reservation are required.

There is limited public transportation from Denver to Park & Ride through CDOT's Bustang - reservations are required. There is no public transportation available from Granby or Winter Park to Rocky Mountain National Park.

 

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By Public Transportation

Bustang to Estes

The Bustang is back and Rocky Mountain National Park is pleased to partner with CDOT again this summer. CDOT's Bustang to Estes Route will be providing summer seasonal transportation service to Rocky Mountain National Park's Park & Ride Transit Hub on Saturdays and Sundays beginning May 27 through October 1, 2023. At Park & Ride, Bustang riders can transfer to the park's Bear Lake or Moraine Park Shuttles to reach destinations along the Bear Lake Road Corridor.

• There will also be service available on the following holiday Mondays: May 29, June 19, July 3, and September 4.

Riders can board the Bustang in Denver at Union Station and at stops along U.S. Hwy 36 in Westminster, Broomfield, Boulder, and Lyons. For route schedules and to make a reservation, visit https://ridebustang.com/estes-park/schedules/.

All Bustang Riders coming to Rocky Mountain National Park are required to have a Bustang ticket and a park entrance pass. Park entrance passes can be purchased online at https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74291.

• One Bustang rider should select the 1-Day Individual Pass for $15. If there are 2 or more Bustang riders in a group, choose the 1-Day Vehicle Pass for $30. This will cover all members of your party. Be prepared to show your park pass to a park ranger upon arrival.
• Passengers who already have an annual or lifetime park entrance pass should bring their annual or lifetime (Senior/Access/Military) park entrance pass and their photo ID with them.

All Bustang riders coming to Rocky Mountain National Park should be prepared to spend their day outside. There are no stores or food services available within the park. Bustang riders are advised to bring full water bottles, food for the day, footwear and comfortable clothing for hiking (including a jacket and rain gear) sun protection/sunscreen, and a hat.

We look forward to seeing you in Rocky Mountain National Park!