BEAR LAKE SHUTTLE PLANNER
Map your stops, time your day, and catch the last shuttle back — plan the seasonal Bear Lake Road shuttle. Free, no sign-up.
Your shuttle day
Starting at 6:30 AM, this plan has you done at your furthest stop (Stop 4, Bear Lake) around 12:35 PM. The last shuttle back leaves around 7:30 PM this season.
About 6h 55m of buffer. Back at the Park & Ride around 1:00 PM.
Your stops, in shuttle order
It's one out-and-back line — ride up making these stops, then ride back down.
- 3Glacier Gorge Trailhead · ~10 min upMills Lake
- 4Bear Lake · ~15 min upNymph / Dream / Emerald Lake
Estimates only. Per-stop ride times are approximate, and the schedule changes yearly — always verify current shuttle times at nps.gov/romo. Assumes ~10 min waiting per boarding (every 15 min in this season).
All Bear Lake Road shuttle stops
| Stop | Name | Main trailheads / sights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Park & Ride Transit Hub | — |
| 2 | Bierstadt Lake Trailhead | Bierstadt Lake |
| 3 | Glacier Gorge Trailhead | Alberta Falls, Mills Lake, Sky Pond |
| 4 | Bear Lake | Bear Lake Nature Trail, Nymph / Dream / Emerald Lake |
Heads up: the separate Moraine Park shuttle route also starts at the Park & Ride Transit Hub, but branches to Sprague Lake, Hollowell Park, Moraine Park Campground, Cub Lake Trailhead, and Fern Lake — not covered by this planner. Staying in Estes Park town? The Hiker Shuttle Express connects the Estes Park Visitor Center to the Park & Ride hub for a separate $2 reservation.
Bear Lake Shuttle FAQ
Do I need to use the Bear Lake Road shuttle?
Not strictly — you can drive your own vehicle to Bear Lake Road destinations if you arrive early enough to find parking, and you have a Timed Entry+ Bear Lake Road reservation if visiting May 22 through mid-October. But the small trailhead lots along Bear Lake Road fill up by mid-morning in peak season, which is why most visitors use the free shuttle instead.
What time does the last Bear Lake shuttle leave?
Buses run every 15 minutes from about 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM during the May 22–October 18 season. Always confirm the current schedule at nps.gov/romo. Use the planner's last-shuttle guard so you don't get stranded.
Which shuttle stop is Sky Pond? Which is Bear Lake itself?
Sky Pond and Mills Lake both start from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead (Stop 3). Bear Lake itself, along with the Nymph/Dream/Emerald Lake trail, is at Stop 4, the end of the line. Bierstadt Lake is at Stop 2.
How do I get from Estes Park to the Bear Lake Road shuttle?
The separate Hiker Shuttle Express connects the Estes Park Visitor Center to the Park & Ride Transit Hub, where the Bear Lake Road shuttle begins. It requires its own $2 recreation.gov reservation, separate from the free Bear Lake Road shuttle itself.
Can I drive my own car to Bear Lake?
Yes, outside the May 22–October 18 shuttle season, or during that season if you arrive early enough to find parking and hold a valid Timed Entry+ Bear Lake Road reservation. In winter, check current road conditions — Bear Lake Road itself typically stays open longer than Trail Ridge Road, but conditions vary.