The free shuttle bus offered by Boulder County that takes hikers to one of the most popular trailheads west of Nederland is now operating three days a week.
Shuttle bus service to the Hessie Trailhead started today, May 22 and will operate Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and on holidays this summer and fall, Boulder County announced on Thursday, May 21.
The shuttle will carry passengers from Nederland High School (597 County Road 130) to the trailhead for accessing Lost Lake and the Indian Peaks Wilderness area off of Fourth of July Road.
According to Boulder County, visitors are encouraged to park in Boulder and ride the RTD bus route NB and connect with the Hessie Shuttle in Nederland.
Free Hessie Trailhead shuttle service
The seasonal shuttle service will began Friday, May 22, with the last day of shuttle service being Sunday, Oct. 11.
Shuttles depart approximately every 15 minutes during operating hours.
The schedule will be as follows:
- Fridays: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Saturdays: 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Starting Sept. 12, Saturday service ends at 6 p.m.)
- Sundays: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Holiday exceptions and additions to the schedule include:
- Sunday, May 24: 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day): 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Friday, June 19 (Juneteenth): 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Friday, July 3: 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Sunday, Sept. 6: 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Monday, Sept. 7 (Labor Day): 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Hessie shuttle details
- No passes, reservations, or fare is required to use this free service.
- Leashed well-behaved dogs are welcome aboard the shuttle.
- Bikes are not allowed on the shuttle due to a lack of bike racks.
- Shuttle stops at the Hessie Trailhead and does not go up to the Fourth of July Trailhead.
- The RTD NB route between Boulder and Nederland 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 the downtown Nederland RTD Park-n-Ride. Free parking is available weekends and holidays at both the Downtown Boulder Station and Boulder County Justice Center.
For more information, visit HessieTrailhead.com.
For information about all recreation shuttles operating in Boulder County in 2026, including the Eldo Shuttle from Boulder and Superior to Eldorado Canyon State Park, the Park to Park Shuttle from downtown Boulder and the Hill to Chautauqua, and the Estes Park Bustang from Louisville, Boulder, and Lyons to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, visit boco.org/shuttles.
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