# Parking in Aspen

> Where to park in Aspen and Snowmass: downtown rates ($5–7 an hour peak, free Sundays and after 6 p.m.), Rio Grande garage ($15 a day).

Canonical page: https://aspenprive.com/aspen-parking/  
Updated: 2026-09-29 · Publisher: Aspen Privé (local Aspen stay planning and concierge)

Downtown Aspen is metered **10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Saturday**, with a **four-hour limit**: **$5–7 an hour** in peak season, free on Sundays, holidays and evenings. The **Rio Grande garage** caps at **$15 a day**. For skiing, **Buttermilk** and the **Brush Creek Park & Ride** are free; Aspen Highlands' garage is **$35–50** a day.

City rates took effect February 16, 2026 (City of Aspen). Ski-area and Snowmass figures are from Aspen Snowmass and the Town of Snowmass Village, checked September 2026. Rates change; confirm on the day.

## Downtown Aspen street parking

- **Enforced**: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; four hours per license plate per day.
- **Peak season**: December to March and June to September, Monday–Saturday: $5 an hour 10–11 a.m., $7 11 a.m.–3 p.m., $5 3–6 p.m.
- **Off season**: April, May, October, November, Monday–Friday: $3, $5, $3 for the same bands; weekends free.
- **Free**: Sundays, qualifying holidays, 6 p.m.–3 a.m. and 7–10 a.m.
- **Never**: 3–7 a.m.: no parking, for street cleaning and snowplows.
- **Pay**: PayByPhone or the street kiosks.

## Drivers instead of parking (what Aspen Privé arranges)

A car from the airport and a driver for the evenings; no meters, no garage. [Arrange drivers](https://aspenprive.com/contact.html?service=evening-driver).

## Rio Grande Parking Garage

- **Rates**: First 30 minutes free; $3 up to an hour, $6 up to two, $9 up to three, $15 for 3–24 hours.
- **Where**: Rio Grande Place, a short walk to the Silver Queen Gondola and downtown; the easiest place to leave a car all day.

## Residential zones

Around the core, residential zones sell visitor day passes at $9 a day, Monday to Friday; free on weekends and holidays. Electric vehicles now pay too.


## Parking at the four mountains

Free RFTA buses link all four mountains; see [Aspen without a car](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-without-a-car/).

- **Aspen Mountain**: No ski-area lot; use Rio Grande or downtown meters.
- **Aspen Highlands**: Garage at 199 Prospector Road: first 30 minutes free; weekdays $35 up to four hours, $40 over; weekends $45 and $50. Pay by QR code or kiosk.
- **Buttermilk**: Free in winter, and it fills early on busy days.
- **Snowmass**: Base Village garage: first hour free, then $9 an hour to $63 a day, enforced 7 a.m.–5 p.m. from Thanksgiving to April; no overnight parking. Village numbered lots are permit-only 7 a.m.–1 p.m. in winter.
- **Free park & rides**: Brush Creek Park & Ride (Highway 82 at Brush Creek Road) and Snowmass's Town Park/Rodeo lot, with free buses to Snowmass, downtown Aspen and the slopes.

## Do you need a car at all?

- **Most stays, no**: Downtown is walkable, the buses are free and frequent, and a car spends most of the week parked at $15 a day or more.
- **Where a car helps**: Day trips over Independence Pass in summer, the hot springs, or a house up a valley road.
- **The alternative**: A driver for the airport and the evenings that matter, and buses or walking in between. See [taxis and shuttles](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-taxi-and-shuttles/).

## Questions

**Is parking free in Aspen on Sundays?**  
Yes. Downtown street parking is free on Sundays and qualifying holidays, and every day from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. and 7 to 10 a.m. No parking 3–7 a.m.

**How much is parking in downtown Aspen?**  
In peak season, $5 an hour 10–11 a.m., $7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and $5 from 3 to 6 p.m., with a four-hour limit. The Rio Grande garage is $15 for 3–24 hours.

**Where can I park for free to ski in Aspen?**  
Buttermilk's lot is free in winter, and the Brush Creek Park & Ride and Snowmass Town Park/Rodeo lot are free with free buses to the slopes.

**How much is parking at Aspen Highlands?**  
The garage is free for 30 minutes, then $35 (up to four hours) or $40 on weekdays, and $45 or $50 on weekends.

**How much is parking in Snowmass Base Village?**  
The first hour is free, then $9 an hour up to $63 a day, enforced 7 a.m.–5 p.m. in winter. No overnight parking.

## What Aspen Privé can arrange for this

Met at the airport, driven to dinner, collected after the party. We arrange the drivers so no one has to think about parking.

- [Private airport transfer](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-airport-transportation/) (From $195 per vehicle): From Aspen's airport to the door in a private SUV, timed to your actual landing.
- [A driver for the evening](https://aspenprive.com/contact.html?service=evening-driver) (From $210 per hour): A car and driver on call for dinner and the night out, so nobody hunts for a taxi at midnight.
- [Denver to Aspen by private car](https://aspenprive.com/denver-to-aspen-private-car/) (From $1,650 per vehicle): Winter-equipped vehicle and driver for the four-hour drive, re-timed as roads change.
- [Ski rental delivered](https://aspenprive.com/ski-rental-delivery-aspen/): Fitted at the residence, not in a shop queue.

## Sources (checked September 29, 2026)

- [City of Aspen: updated parking rates effective Feb. 16, 2026](https://www.aspen.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/917)
- [City of Aspen: downtown core parking](https://aspen.gov/1676/Downtown-Core-Parking)
- [Aspen Snowmass: parking and getting around](https://www.aspensnowmass.com/visit/parking-and-getting-around)
- [Town of Snowmass Village: parking](https://www.snowmasstransit.com/130/Parking)

## Related

- [Car rental at Aspen airport](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-car-rental/): Companies, winter rules, alternatives.
- [Aspen without a car](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-without-a-car/): Free buses and ski shuttles.
- [Taxis, shuttles and rides](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-taxi-and-shuttles/): Fares and private cars.

To plan or request any of this: https://aspenprive.com/plan-your-trip/ · https://aspenprive.com/contact.html