Thank you for a great 2023 summer season! The parking reservation and shuttle system has ended for the summer, which means that the Quandary Peak Trailhead parking lot is now free and first-come, first-served. Anyone interested in hiking either Quandary Peak or McCullough Gulch can park at the Quandary Peak Trailhead lot without a reservation. Please note that there is no shuttle service at this time. In addition, parking on all County roads (McCullough Gulch Road and Blue Lakes Road) is prohibited at all times of the year. Thank you, and see you next summer!
OVERVIEW
Visitors wishing to hike Quandary Peak or McCullough Gulch are required to reserve a parking reservation or ride a shuttle from June 15 to September 15, 2024.
Parking reservations and shuttle tickets will be available for purchase beginning June 1, 2024.
After September 16, reservations are not required and parking is free and first-come, first-served at the Quandary Peak Trailhead. The shuttle system also stops running for the season after September 16.
For parking reservations and shuttle ticket questions, contact hikequandary@spplus.com / 970-977-7231.
For all other questions or general hiking tips, contact
openspace@summitcountyco.gov / 970-668-4060.
Shuttle Info
Shuttle Operates June 15 to September 15
Find general information about the Quandary Peak and McCullough Gulch shuttle below.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Quandary Peak and McCullough Gulch shuttle will operate from June 15 to September 15, seven days a week from 5:00am to 5:00pm. All shuttles will pick up visitors at the Breckenridge South Gondola Parking Structure (80 North Park Avenue) and drop off at the Quandary Peak Trailhead parking lot. Visitors going to McCullough Gulch will then board a second shuttle to go to the McCullough Gulch Trailhead. Note, the McCullough Gulch shuttle service is included with the purchase of a parking reservation or shuttle payment (no additional ticket is needed).
SHUTTLE PARKING
Visitors riding the shuttle can park in the South Gondola Parking Garage (80 North Park Avenue) in Breckenridge. It is free to park in the garage all day using a code issued by the Town of Breckenridge. This parking code and the instructions will be available in your shuttle confirmation email.
For a carless option, passengers are encouraged to walk, bike, or take the Town bus to the parking garage.
SHUTTLE TIMES
All shuttles run 5:00am to 5:00pm. The last shuttle back to Breckenridge will board at 4:30pm at the Quandary Peak Trailhead.
Quandary Peak
Low season (June 15-30 and September 4-15) – 5:00am to 5:00pm
- Shuttles run at the top of every hour from Breckenridge (00:00, 1:00, 2:00) to Quandary Peak Trailhead.
- Shuttle run at the bottom of every hour from Quandary Peak Trailhead (00:30, 1:30, 2:30) to Breckenridge.
Peak Season (July 1 – September 3)
- Shuttles run every 30 minutes at the top and bottom of every hour (00:00, 00:30, 1:00, 1:30) from Breckenridge to/from Quandary Peak Trailhead.
McCullough Gulch
- 8:00am to 4:00pm
- Shuttles run every 20 minutes from the Quandary Peak Trailhead to the McCullough Gulch Trailhead.
- Last shuttle departs at 4:00pm from the McCullough Gulch Trailhead.
PURCHASE PROCESS
Shuttles will operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. Passengers simply need to book the appropriate date and can board at any time on that date.
Round trip shuttle fares are $7 per person and $0 for Summit County residents. Shuttle tickets can be purchased up to two weeks in advance, starting June 1.
All passengers will be required to show payment confirmation (email, QR code, etc.) to be able to board the shuttle at the Parking Garage and the Quandary Peak Trailhead.
Users will be directed to download an App or print their email confirmation as proof of payment.
Dogs can ride the shuttle free of charge.
RESIDENT DISCOUNT
Summit County residents must email proof of residency a minimum of 48 hours in advance of their trip for the free shuttle discount. SP Plus (the shuttle operator) will then validate local status and will send a code to apply during check out.
Acceptable documentation includes, but is not limited to, a Driver’s License, Utility Bill, or Lease Agreement with the customer’s name and a Summit County address.
Book Your Shuttle Trip Now!
Round trip shuttle fares: $7 non-local, $0 local.
Simply select the date of your trip below and board at any time on that date.
Shuttle tickets can be purchased only two weeks in advance of your hike date starting June 1, 2024.
Shuttles currently run every 30 minutes and operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. Between September 6 - 17, shuttles will run every 60 minutes. Riders can except shuttles to pick up at the beginning of the hour (e.g., 10:00, 11:00, 12:00) at the South Gondola Parking Structure and drop off at the Quandary Peak Trailhead at the half hour (e.g., 10:30, 11:30, 12:30). The McCullough Gulch shuttle will continue to run every 20 minutes.
GENERAL PARKING INFORMATION
Beginning on June 1, 2024, parking reservations can be made up to two weeks in advance for visitors wishing to park at the Quandary Peak Trailhead to access both the Quandary Peak and McCullough Gulch trails.
From June 15 to September 15, visitors are required to make either a short-term or full day parking reservation. Reservations are required from 5:00am to 3:00pm daily. Parking after 3:00pm is free and first-come, first served – no reservation is required.
Overnight parking is prohibited at the Quandary Peak Trailhead, and parking along McCullough Gulch and Blue Lakes Roads is prohibited at all times. All parking violations are $100.
Make a Trailhead Parking Reservation Now
Parking reservations are required to park at the Quandary Peak Trailhead from June 15 to September 15.
There are two parking reservation options: full day and short-term.
Parking reservations can be made only two weeks in advance of your hike date starting June 1, 2024.
Full Day
5:00am – 3:00pm
$30 non-peak (Monday-Thursday, excluding Holidays)
$55 peak (Friday-Sunday, plus Holidays)
Peak Holidays include July 4th and Labor Day (September 2)
Full day reservations are encouraged for Quandary hikers, as the average hike time is 6 hours.
Short-term
4-hour time slots
$10 non-peak (Monday-Thursday)
$20 peak (Friday-Sunday)
Short-term reservations are encouraged for McCullough Gulch hikers.
Use the date picker below to purchase parking.
For full day reservations, the entry and exit date will be the date of your hike. The entry time will be 5:00am (when full day reservations begin) and the exit time will be 3:00pm (when full day reservations end).
For short-term reservations, the entry and exit date will be the date of your hike. The entry time will be when you want your reservation to begin and the exit time will be four hours after that entry time. Please note the McCullough Gulch shuttle runs 8am to 4pm only.
Parking reservations can be made only two weeks in advance of your hike date starting June 1, 2024.
