Photo by Joshua Manglian on Pexels
By Michael Gonzales · Updated November 4, 2026
The closest public parking to the lifts is the town's Vail Village Parking Structure (241 S Frontage Rd E) and Lionshead structure (354 S Frontage Rd W). Winter 2026/27 paid parking runs November 20, 2026 to April 18, 2027 at unchanged rates: under an hour free, then $10 an hour up to $30, or $50 on peak days.
Two things make this winter different. Paid parking starts a week after Vail Mountain's planned November 13 opening, so the town's lots are still free during opening week. And the town has moved the Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents' Day Mondays to non-peak pricing. If you are staying overnight, the bigger saving is lodging with its own garage, because the town bans on-street parking from mid-November to late April. Solaris Residences, Manor Vail Lodge and the Sonnenalp all park guests' cars in their own garages; the full list of what Vail lodgings publish is further down.
How much does parking cost in Vail for 2026/27?
The town says its 2026/27 retail rates and pass prices are the same as in 2025/26. The two village structures charge by the length of the stay, with a cap that depends on whether the day is regular or peak.
| Time parked | Vail Village and Lionshead, regular day | Peak day |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1 hour | Free | Free |
| 1 to 2 hours | $10 | $10 |
| 2 to 3 hours | $20 | $20 |
| 3 to 4 hours | $30 | $30 |
| 4 to 5 hours | $30 | $40 |
| Over 5 hours | $30 | $50 |
| Entering 3 p.m. to 4 a.m. | Free | Free |
| Overnight | $60 | $60 |
Swipe to see more
The other town lots are cheaper and farther out.
| Lot | Where | Winter 2026/27 rate |
|---|---|---|
| Red Sandstone Garage | 551 N Frontage Rd W, across I-70 by pedestrian bridge; 8-foot clearance | Under 2 hours free; $10 regular or $20 peak day; overnight $35 on levels 1 to 3 |
| Ford Park and Soccer lots | 720 S Frontage Rd E, by Ford Park | Under 2 hours free; $10 or $20 by day type; no overnight parking |
| Donovan Park | 1600 S Frontage Rd W | Free day parking, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., registered through ParkMobile; closes for some events |
Swipe to see more
Rates are the town's 2025/26 published figures, which it says carry over unchanged to 2026/27. The town sets a calendar of peak days each winter; check vail.gov/parking for the dates before you budget.
Is there free parking in Vail?
Yes, at set times. All town-operated lots are free until November 19, 2026, which covers opening week. In winter, entry to the village structures is free from 3 p.m. to 4 a.m., Donovan Park is free day parking, and in past winters the Frontage Road has opened as free overflow only when the garages were full.
Opening week. Vail Mountain is scheduled to open on November 13, and the town's fall program (free parking in all town-operated lots) runs through November 19. Lots can still close for maintenance or events. See when Vail opens for the lift schedule.
After 3 p.m. Entering the Vail Village or Lionshead structure between 3 p.m. and 4 a.m. is free. That suits dinner or an evening event rather than a ski day; cars left overnight pay the overnight rate.
Frontage Road overflow. In past winters the town has opened the Frontage Road for free overflow parking only when the garages were full, and only where signs allowed. Electronic signs at the Vail exit (exit 176) show whether it is open. Don't plan on it.
Red Sandstone. It is not free, but it is the town's cheaper daily and overnight option, a short walk or free bus ride from Lionshead.
Where are the public parking garages in Vail?
The Vail Village Parking Structure at 241 S Frontage Rd E has the Vail Transportation Center on site and is about a 7-minute walk to Gondola One. The Lionshead Parking Structure at 354 S Frontage Rd W has the Lionshead Transit Center and is about a 5-minute walk to the Eagle Bahn Gondola. From I-70, take exit 176.
Both have free in-town buses between the two villages. For Golden Peak and the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, the Ford Park lot is the close one on non-event days; the town keeps an event parking calendar for it. The Lionshead Village listing covers what is near the west garage.
Where should you park overnight in Vail?
At your lodging, if it has a space. Vail bans on-street and shoulder parking from mid-November to late April for snow removal, Ford Park allows no overnight parking and Donovan Park closes at 11 p.m. Otherwise, the town garages charge $60 overnight in the villages or $35 at Red Sandstone.
A heated or covered garage also means no digging the car out after a storm. Most buildings include one space per unit, charge for a second car and have height limits that matter for roof boxes and tall SUVs. These are the terms Vail lodgings post.
| Lodging | Parking type | What the property publishes |
|---|---|---|
| Antlers at Vail | Heated underground garage | One space per condo (two for four bedrooms); $50 a day, waived when you book direct; 7 ft 2 in clearance |
| Lion Square Lodge | Heated underground parking plus a lot | Listed as complimentary |
| Westwind at Vail | Heated garage or outside lot | Typically one space per unit |
| The Ritz-Carlton Club, Vail | Heated underground garage, valet | First vehicle complimentary; extra vehicles $60 a night |
| Solaris Residences | Heated underground garage, valet only | $65 per vehicle per night |
| Simba Run | Underground garage | $50 a night per vehicle; two vehicles per unit at most |
| Manor Vail Lodge | Covered underground garage and surface lot, EV charging | Nightly fee; the lodge's pages give $55 and $65, so confirm when you book |
| Sonnenalp | Valet only | Overnight charges apply; your car can stay until 4 p.m. on checkout day |
| The Landmark | Covered garage | One self-parking space per reservation |
| Lodge Tower | Covered on-site parking | Winter $50 a day per car |
| Vail Spa Condominiums | Covered parking | One vehicle per condo included |
| Vail International | Outdoor lot, upper deck for roof racks | Free for one or two cars by unit size; extra cars $40 a night in winter |
| Vail 21 | Lot or garage (pages differ) | One car per reservation |
| Sun Vail | Surface lot | One car free with a dashboard pass |
| The Willows | Not stated | One spot per reservation, covered by the resort fee |
Swipe to see more
Terms are as each property or its rental manager posted them in fall 2026; the Sonnenalp terms are from its own FAQ, checked November 2, 2026. Condo parking varies by unit and rental company, so confirm the space and fee in your booking. If you want a condo with parking, search Vail condos on Vrbo and filter for parking, then check the listing's own terms.
Do you need a Vail parking pass?
Only for frequent parkers. Day visitors pay at the gate. Winter 2026/27 passes went on sale October 22 at vail.gov/parkingpasses, at the same prices as 2025/26, and processing can take up to three business days. The sales office at 75 S Frontage Rd is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on weekdays.
Questions on passes go to 970-479-2104 or [email protected]. For rates and space on the day, call the parking line at 970-479-2445.
Can you park once and ride the free bus?
Yes. The Town of Vail runs free in-town buses year-round between Vail Village and Lionshead, so one parked car can cover a whole stay. Bikes are not allowed inside, and dogs only if they are trained service animals.
Eagle County's Core Transit buses are free on most routes; a fare applies only on trips to Gypsum (which includes Eagle County Regional Airport) or Leadville. The guides to getting from Avon to Vail and getting to Vail cover the routes.
Where else can you park in Vail?
The town lists privately run garages at Solaris (141 E Meadow Dr), Cascade Village (1300 Westhaven Dr) and the Evergreen Hotel (250 S Frontage Rd W), and hotel valets at Manor Vail, The Sebastian and The Hythe. Their rates are set privately, so ask for the overnight price.
If a car costs more than it saves, the budget stay tips weigh the trade-off. To drive up from Denver, you can compare rental cars at Denver Airport (DEN) on EconomyBookings.
When should you drive to avoid Vail traffic?
Vail advises weekend visitors heading back toward Denver to leave after 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays to miss the worst eastbound I-70 traffic. On busy powder mornings the village garages fill first, so arrive early or aim for Red Sandstone.
Plan your trip
Frequently asked questions
Where do I park in Vail Village? The Vail Village Parking Structure at 241 S Frontage Rd E, about a 7-minute walk to Gondola One. The Lionshead structure at 354 S Frontage Rd W is about 5 minutes from the Eagle Bahn Gondola. Both have free buses on site.
When does paid parking start in Vail for 2026/27? On November 20, 2026, a week after Vail Mountain's planned November 13 opening. It runs to April 18, 2027. All town-operated lots are free until then.
How much is all-day parking in Vail Village? $30 on a regular day and $50 on a peak day in winter 2026/27, the same as last season. Under an hour is free.
Is there free parking in Vail in winter? Entry to the Vail Village and Lionshead structures is free from 3 p.m. to 4 a.m., Donovan Park is free day parking, and in past winters the Frontage Road has opened as free overflow only when the garages were full.
Can I park overnight in Vail? Yes, in the town garages: $60 overnight in the village structures and $35 at Red Sandstone (levels 1 to 3). On-street parking is banned from mid-November to late April, and Ford Park allows no overnight parking.
Which Vail hotels include parking? Lion Square Lodge lists complimentary parking, and The Ritz-Carlton Club includes the first car. Antlers waives its $50 fee for direct bookings. Solaris ($65 a night) and the Sonnenalp use valets. Most condos include one space per unit.
Are the Vail buses free? Yes. The Town of Vail's in-town buses between Vail Village and Lionshead are free year-round. Most Core Transit routes are free too; a fare applies only on trips to Gypsum or Leadville.
Sources
- Town of Vail: Parking Information (fall 2026 and winter 2026/27 dates, lots, private garages; Internet Archive copy, Oct 10, 2026)
- Town of Vail: Parking page and Oct 21, 2026 release (rates and passes unchanged, Nov 20 start, non-peak holiday Mondays, pass sales)
- Town of Vail: Parking passes
- Vail Resorts: Vail hours of operation (Nov 13 opening)
- Vail Resorts: Getting to Vail (I-70 travel advice)
- Sonnenalp: FAQ (valet parking, checkout-day parking)
- Antlers at Vail: Parking
Checked November 2, 2026. Condo parking terms are those posted by each property or rental manager in fall 2026. We didn't list hotel prices because they change by date.