One of the most common questions I get asked by first-time visitors to Vail, Colorado is “where do I park?”, followed by “how much does parking cost?”. Well, in this article I’ll answer those questions by pointing out some free parking options in Vail and giving you the scoop on the Town of Vail parking structures (parking garages).
First, let me preface this whole list by telling you that if you’re renting my Vail Slope-View Modern Loft, you are able to park your car/SUV for free in the condo parking lot, then it’s extremely easy to take the short bus ride into the Village, avoiding paying to park or jockeying for one of the few free spaces available. (So what are you waiting for? Book your dates now.)
Ok, with the shameless plug out of the way, here are the free parking options in Vail that are available to the general public:
- Street parking along North Frontage Road in West Vail – there is limited street parking available along the western end of North Frontage Road, with the free town bus running regularly to shuttle skiers to the villages.
- Street parking along Vail View Drive in the Sandstone neighborhood – again, the parking here is limited (be sure to only park between the signs indicating where parking is allowed, and not during the specific times of the week that it’s not allowed, as indicated on the signs). The free Sandstone bus line runs every 20-30 minutes from Vail Transportation Center during ski season, with a stop right near this parking area.
- Parking at various trailheads throughout vail – trailhead parking is very limited, and some spaces are reserved for hiker parking
- Parking in the lot at Donovan Park – when Donovan Pavilion is not in use for events the parking lot there is open for skiers to park, with a bus leaving from the lot and running to Lionshead Village. There is usually a sign posted at the entrance to the lot if parking isn’t allowed due to an event.
- Vail Village and Lionshead Village Parking Structures (first 1.5 hours or between 3pm and 3am) – parking in the structures is the source of much confusion for Vail newbies. During the day (before 3pm), you must pay to park in the structures, however, the first one and a half hours are free. Additionally, if you enter the structure after 3pm, your parking is free as long as you leave the garage before 3am.
- Oversized vehicle parking – are you driving cross-country in an RV or moving truck? Since lots of the parking options discussed above may not be able to accommodate anything beyond passenger vehicles, my best suggestion for you is to look into parking at the Lionshead Village Parking Structure. They have a designated spot for such vehicles.
For the most up-to-date info on Vail parking, visit the Town of Vail’s parking website. Or, if you just want to avoid the hassle of even having to figure out where to park, book my home for your stay in Vail and leave your car parked there!
Have questions or additional parking tips? Leave a comment below.