Parking
No Reservation Required
Parking at Monarch is free. Base Area Services staff are onsite daily starting at 7:00am to guide you to the next available spot starting from the front to the back of a lot, and never spot saving. Please follow their directions as they are tasked with making the most of our limited parking capacity.
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays – if you are visiting on these busy days and arrive between 9:30 and 1:30, you can expect the main and lower lots to be full. When this is the case, you will be directed to park in our outlying lots, the Paradise (upper) lot and then the Crest lot at the top of Monarch Pass. Shuttles will run regularly on these days.
Because of our limited parking capacity, we encourage you to carpool, ride share…etc., especially on busy days and powder days. Please be a part of the solution. Thank-you.
Arrival & Parking Guidance
- Base Area Services (BAS) staff will greet you and guide you with orange flags.
- Follow BAS directions for smooth parking.
- Large or long vehicles will be directed to an area suited to their size. To learn more about Trailers or vehicles over 26ft click on the “Oversize Vehicles/Camping” tab on this page.
Paradise Lot
- Offers ski-in/ski-out access and is open for parking most days.
- Shuttles run from Paradise to the main lodge on weekends, holidays, and any day the main lot is full and anytime breezeway has wind holds (9am–4:30pm).
- Restrooms are located at the northeast corner of the lot.
Crest Lot
- Located two miles up Monarch Pass from the main lot.
- Used for overflow parking when needed.
- Shuttles run to the main lodge on overflow days, operating regularly until 5:00pm.
- To keep our lots running smoothly for everyone, vehicles over 26 feet and any vehicle with a trailer will not be permitted during peak periods. These restrictions help us manage space and ensure safe parking on our busiest days. Peak days include but are not limited to: Any weekend corresponding with a holiday or event and 12/22/25-1/2/26, 1/19/26, 2/16/26, 3/9/26-3/25/26.
- School and charter buses bringing large groups will be accommodated daily.
- If you’re traveling with a gear trailer for a group, contact our Monarch Experience team at (719) 530-5196 to coordinate accommodations.
- Camping is not allowed in the main or paradise lot. People can camp at the crest lot. Campers must be prepared to move their vehicle for plowing operations at any time of the night.
If you have a need to drop off or pick up people near the building, there is a brief (5 min.) drop off/pick up zone near the doors of the south tunnel entrance of the main lodge. This is not a waiting zone; if your party is not ready to be dropped off or picked up, keep your vehicle moving, out of this area and do not block traffic. A driver must stay with the vehicle. No loitering in this area.
Skis, poles or snowboards are not allowed in or through the main lodge building.
Designated ADA parking is available near the south tunnel entrance of the main lodge. A Disabled Parking placard is required for vehicles using ADA parking. This parking allows accessible entry into the main lodge and an elevator or stair lift to move throughout the floors. Vehicles parked in ADA parking without a placard will be asked to move, and then towed if in non-compliance. For our accessibility policy, please see https://skimonarch.com/accessibility-policy/
During the ski season, Uphill Travel users arriving prior to 7:30am are required to park in the area next to the Water Treatment Plant in the lower lot near the purple light, and stay clear of snow plowing operations. Outside of the ski season, uphill users should be aware that parking lot gates are unlocked only during operating hours; these hours are posted on the entrance gate (don’t get locked inside!)
There are six (three dual port) EV charging stations at Monarch Mountain located in the Lower Lot on the west side of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (see photo).
To use a charging station download the EV+Charging app prior to your arrival at the mountain. Once parked at a station, scan the QR code on the station and follow the instructions.
LINKS:
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ev-charging/id6475731820
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.evplus.app&hl=en_US&gl=US
Do not leave your car parked at a charging station for more than 4 hours.
HOURS: In-season (winter) 7am-5pm everyday; Off-season (summer) 7am-4pm Mon-Thu.
While at the station, if you need assistance, please ask any of the parking lot staff.
What if I’m locked out of my car?
Our BAS staff are onsite 7:00am – 4:30pm to help with vehicle issues. Visit our Guest Services desk to sign a Release Waiver and they can help from there.
What if my car dies and I can’t move it?
Visit our Guest Services desk and we will notify our BAS staff for assistance.
I lost my car keys – what do I do?
Go to Guest Services (lost & found) in the main lodge for assistance. Guest Services closes at 4:30.
Do you have charging stations for electric vehicles?
Yes, we have 3 stations with 6 ports in the Lower lot by the Wastewater Treatment Plant. See the EV CHARGING tab.
Can I park or idle my car in a fire lane?
No, fire lanes must be kept clear at all times. See “Skier Drop Off + Accessibility Parking” for where drop off areas are located. If you need help finding a parking spot, look for our BAS staff in orange and they can direct you
Where is the best place to tailgate?
Responsible tailgating is allowed at Monarch, but space in our parking lots can shift quickly based on expected visitation. Because of this, you may be asked to move to ensure safe and efficient parking for all guests. If tailgating is part of your plan, check in with our Base Services team when you arrive — they can point you toward the most appropriate parking area for the day.
Are dogs allowed in the parking lot?
While dogs are not allowed on the mountain at any time, dogs are welcome in the parking lot as long as they remain on a leash. Unleashed pets can create unsafe situations for both the dog and drivers, so please keep them close at all times. We also ask that pets are never left in vehicles if there’s any chance they could be in distress. Conditions can change quickly, and their safety is our priority.
Can I leave my car overnight?
No overnight parking, including camping, is allowed in our lots except under emergency circumstances. If you have an emergency need to leave your car overnight, please notify Guest Services (719.530.5105) or Base Area Services (719.530.5150) so that we know not to have your vehicle towed.
Do you ever run out of parking?
Although very rare, it has happened once or twice on particularly busy days, especially when we’ve received a whole lot of snow AND it’s a weekend or holiday (powder hounds always arrive early!). This is why we ask that you heed the direction of the BAS parking attendants, carpool whenever possible, and arrive early when you have a reservation. When our main lots and upper, Paradise lot fills up, we will direct cars to the Crest lot at the top of Monarch Pass and shuttle folks. If ALL our lots fill up and there is absolutely no place to park, we will begin turning vehicles away until people start leaving and parking loosens up. There is NO parking on the highway!
Do you have a shuttle service from Salida or Buena Vista?
Monarch Mountain does not have public shuttles and encourages carpooling whenever possible. Here are some other options you might check out:
- Rocky Mountain Taxi: serving Chaffee County
- Elevation Brewing: PARK N SKI carpool meeting/parking place, Poncha Springs (winter only) 719.539.5258
- Bustang: am route Gunnison to Monarch; pm route Monarch to Gunnison (winter only)The Bustang Outrider stops at Monarch Mountain every day during the ski season as part of its Crested Butte–Denver route. Each bus seats 53 passengers, with some seats reserved for Bustang travelers and the remaining spots (typically 25 to 40) available for skiers. Tickets to Monarch are $5 each way and can be purchased directly from the driver. For the easiest arrival, riders are encouraged to wear their ski or snowboard boots on the bus and carry their gear so they can head straight to the lifts.
- Leaving from Chaffee County:
Buena Vista: 9:20am – Salida: 9:50am – Monarch: 10:25am - Returning to Chaffee County:
Monarch: 2:50pm – Salida: 3:45pm – Buena Vista 4:20pm - Leaving from Gunnison:
Gunnison: 6:15am – Monarch: 6:55am - Returning to Gunnison:
Monarch: 5:50pm – Gunnison 6:40pm
- Leaving from Chaffee County: