Hessie Trailhead Shuttle

Free Summer Weekend Hiker Shuttle

May 24-Oct. 6, 2024

Crystalline alpine lakes, dramatic peaks and epic hiking trails make the Indian Peaks Wilderness an iconic destination just 40 minutes west of Boulder, but its popularity presents some parking woes. Good news: there's a hiker shuttle to the rescue every summer, and it's been operating for a decade.

No passes, reservations or fares are required to use the free Hessie Shuttle service. 

The Hessie Trailhead weekend shuttle takes you to several popular hiking trails in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, west of Nederland, Colorado. The Hessie Trailhead, located off Fourth of July Road, has trails to:

• Lost Lake
• Devil's Thumb
• King Lake
• Woodland Lake
• Diamond Lake trails

Bus From Boulder to the Shuttle

Combine the Hessie Shuttle with RTD Bus Route NB and leave your car at home. The NB provides a car-free alternative between Boulder and Nederland. The NB provides service from Downtown Boulder Station (1800 14th St. Boulder) and the Boulder County Justice Center (1777 6th St., Boulder) to Nederland High School and Nederland RTD Park-n-Ride. The cost to ride is $2.75 each way. Free parking is available on weekends and holidays at both the Downtown Boulder Station and Boulder County Justice Center. Note: The NB Route does not offer service to the high school on weekdays. However, the shuttle will make special trips to the Park-n-Ride to accommodate NB riders on weekdays.

How the Shuttle Works

Arrive at the Nederland High School parking lot. Then hop aboard the Hessie Trailhead Shuttle for a short, 10-minute ride to the trailhead.

• Free
• Runs May 24-October 6, 2024
• Pickup locations:
  • Saturdays and Sundays: Nederland High School
  • Fridays, until Aug. 15: Nederland High School
  • Fridays, beginning August 16: Nederland RTD Park-n-Ride
• Arrives approximately every 15 minutes
• Travel time is about 10 minutes
• Hours of operation:
  • Fridays: 6am–6pm
  • Saturdays: 6am–8pm (After Labor Day, Sept. 2, the shuttle will run 6am–6pm on Saturdays)
  • Sundays: 6am–6pm
  • Holiday weekends:
    • Sunday, May 26: 6am–8pm
    • Monday, May 27: 6am–6pm
    • Wednesday, June 19: 6am–6pm
    • Thursday, July 4: 6am–8pm
    • Friday, July 5: 6am–8pm
    • Sunday, Sept 1: 6am–8pm
    • Monday, Sept 2: 6am–6pm
• No reservations or tickets required
• Leashed dogs are welcome aboard
• Bikes are not allowed on the shuttle due to a lack of bike racks

Boulder as Home Base

Make Boulder your adventure hub. Stay in a cushy hotel, shop and stroll the historic Pearl Street Mall, taste beer at a couple of dozen breweries, sip tea at the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, and enjoy dining out at dozens of acclaimed restaurants.