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News Archive

May 24, 2024

2024 Eldorado Canyon State Park Free Weekend Shuttle Begins Saturday, May 25

Free Shuttle Service to the State Park and the Marshall Mesa, Doudy Draw and South Mesa Trailheads is Available from Boulder and the US 36 & McCaslin Park-n-Ride in Superior


Key Points

  • Eldo Shuttle bus service to Eldorado Canyon State Park and the Marshall Mesa, Doudy Draw and South Mesa trailheads is available from Boulder and the US 36 & McCaslin Park-n-Ride in Superior.
  • Free shuttle begins Saturday, May 25, and will run Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays until Monday, Sept. 2.
  • Visit EldoShuttle.com to view full information including shuttle routes and stops.

Boulder County, Colo. - Beginning on Saturday, May 25, 2024, Boulder County, Colorado Parks & Wildlife and City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks will offer a free shuttle service on weekends and holidays this summer and fall to carry passengers from Superior, Boulder, and Marshall to Eldorado Canyon State Park, a popular hiking, sightseeing, and climbing destination, and to the Marshall Mesa, Doudy Draw and South Mesa trailheads. The shuttle will help address increased parking and traffic congestion-related impacts in Eldorado Springs, within the state park and along CO 170.

Free Shuttle Service

The shuttle service will begin Saturday, May 25, and will run Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays until Monday, Sept. 2. Holidays with shuttle service include Monday, May 27 (Memorial Day), Thursday, July 4 (Independence Day) and Monday, Sept. 2 (Labor Day). Shuttles run from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day of service.

Shuttles will run approximately every 20 minutes. View or download a map of the route and shuttle stops.

State Parks Pass

All shuttle passengers age 16 and older will be required to purchase a valid state parks pass to enter the state park. Shuttle riders can bring an annual pass, purchase a day pass online at CPWshop.com, or bring $4 cash per adult to pay onboard the shuttle (exact change only, drivers carry no change). Shuttle riders paying by credit card will need to deboard and purchase a day pass at the Visitor Center. Shuttle riders headed to the Marshall Mesa, Doudy Draw or South Mesa trailheads do not need any pass or fare. Shuttle riders headed to the Eldorado Artesian Resort and Pool will need to pay an entrance fee.

Accessible Hiking

All shuttles and shuttle stops are ADA accessible. The Eldo Shuttle provides access to the Fowler Trail, a wheelchair-accessible trail.

Gear and Bikes are Welcome

  • Leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome.
  • Backpacks, crashpads and other climbing gear are welcome.
  • Each shuttle has a bike rack that can hold three bikes.

Take the Bus to the Shuttle

Rather than driving to a trailhead or one of the shuttle parking lots, visitors are encouraged to take the RTD route SKIP, DASH, Flatiron Flyer or other bus routes that stops along Broadway in Boulder or at US 36 & McCaslin to connect to the Eldo Shuttle.

Timed Entry Reservations Not Required to Ride the Free Shuttle

In 2022, Colorado Parks & Wildlife approved a pilot timed entry reservation system for visitors driving to Eldorado Canyon State Park. From May 15 to Sept. 15, 2024, visitors accessing the park via private vehicle on weekends and holidays need to have a timed entry reservation.

Reservations are not required for shuttle parking, or to ride the shuttle. There is no public parking near the entrance to Eldorado Canyon State Park, and parking is limited at the Doudy Draw and South Mesa Trailheads. Don’t chance it - park at one of the shuttle lots and ride the shuttle instead. Illegal parking could result in fines and/or towed vehicles.

More Information

Visit EldoShuttle.com for more information, or contact Alex Hyde-Wright at ahyde-wright@bouldercounty.gov or 303-441-4910.

For information about all recreation shuttles operating in Boulder County in 2024, visit www.boco.org/shuttles.

2023 Eldo Shuttle route map