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Park for Free, Then Take a Bus to Vail Trails

Help us protect the Vail trails we all love and consider taking the free bus to the trailhead of your next hiking or biking adventure. Parking spaces are limited at many Vail trailheads, and the bus system from Vail, Lionshead, East Vail and West Vail stops at or near surrounding trailheads.

Two hikers exit a free Vail bus with hiking poles and backpacks. They smile as they walk to a Vail, Colorado trail. In the middle top of the photo is a digital sign that says "BUS IT TO HIKE IT" and a drawing of two hikers riding a bus.

 

The Town of Vail and the White River National Forest encourage hikers to “Bus It to Hike It,” particularly to busy Vail hiking trails like Booth Falls Trail and Deluge Lake Trail. Want to head off the beaten path? Avoid crowds at popular Vail hiking and mountain-biking areas by chasing waterfalls and placid alpine lakes farther afield. Find Colorado waterfall and lake hikes with more solitude.

Free Parking in Vail

Park for free in Vail in the summer in the Vail Village or Lionshead parking structures. Buses to outlying trailheads leave from the top level of the Vail Village Transportation Center. If you park in Lionshead, take a free in-town bus to the Covered Bridge stop in Vail Village.

Check the Vail Bus Schedule

For seasonal bus routes and times, visit vailgov.com/bus-schedules or pick up a schedule at Vail Village Parking & Transportation Center. Learn more about Vail bus services.

Booth Falls Trailhead Parking & Drop-Off Information

There is no parking at the Booth Lake Trailhead or anywhere in the surrounding neighborhood — and violators will be ticketed and/or towed. It’s allowed to pick up and drop off Vail hikers from passenger vehicles at the trailhead. All shuttles must drop off hikers at the bottom of Booth Falls Road, where designated, adjacent to the Booth Falls bus stop.

Gore Creek/Deluge Lake Trailhead Parking Information

Visitors to the Gore/Deluge Lake Trailhead will see designated parking spaces and delineated “no parking” areas to address conflicts between vehicles and bicyclists on Vail Pass.

Vail Transportation Alternatives

No matter where you are in Vail, or the season, there are options to get from Denver to Vail without driving your car. From ride-sharing apps to Bustang busses to Denver-to-Vail shuttle options, travelers can get to the mountains with sustainability in mind. Find alternative travel options between Vail and Denver, and places to charge your electric vehicle.

More Information:

Explore the Vail bus schedule.
Check out 10 favorite Vail hiking trails.
Find the top mountain-biking trails in Vail.
Get handy Vail transportation tips during the holidays.