Denver Airport Parking: $10/Day Pikes Peak Lot + Free Shuttle

Quick answer

The Pikes Peak Shuttle Lot at Denver International Airport costs $10 per day and includes a free shuttle to Jeppesen Terminal that runs every 7 to 15 minutes. It's an outdoor, self-park lot: the most affordable on-airport lot with a shuttle at DEN and 71% cheaper than the East/West Garages ($35/day max).

Back to DEN Long-Term Parking: Economy Lots, Pikes Peak & Weekly Options 2026

The Pikes Peak Shuttle Lot is Denver International Airport's most affordable on-airport lot with a shuttle, priced at $10 per day with a free shuttle to the Jeppesen Terminal. It offers open-air, self-park spaces for travelers who want a budget on-site lot without leaving the airport property. At 71% cheaper than the East/West Garages ($35/day max) and 50% cheaper than the Economy Lots ($20/day), the Pikes Peak Lot is the go-to choice for cost-conscious long-term parkers at DEN.

• Daily rate: $10/day, the lowest rate of any on-airport lot at DEN with a shuttle (rates checked October 2026 on flydenver.com)
• Shuttle service: Free, every 7 to 15 minutes; return pickup is on Level 5, Door 513, Island 3 (East side of the terminal only); allow about 30 minutes
• Lot type: Outdoor, self-park, an uncovered, open-air surface lot
• Best for: Multi-day trips, budget travelers, and anyone comfortable with a short shuttle ride
• Alternative on-site options: Economy Lots ($20/day), 61st & Peña Lot ($8/day, but no shuttle; you ride the RTD A Line train, $10.50 and 11 minutes). The Longs Peak Lot is currently closed.
• Off-site options: Triply sells off-site lots near DEN from about $6 to $11/day with shuttles (the $6 Embassy Suites rate adds an $8 shuttle fee; rates are for a 7-day stay booked ahead and change by date). Several are close to Pikes Peak pricing, so compare shuttle hours and total cost before you choose.

Want to compare off-site options with the Pikes Peak Lot? Triply doesn't sell DEN's own lots, so you pay for Pikes Peak at the airport. Browse off-site DEN parking on Triply: Park2Jet is about $9/day with a 24/7 shuttle and Canopy is about $11/day, while Embassy Suites Denver Airport is about $6/day plus an $8 round-trip shuttle fee paid at the front desk. Free cancellation with a full refund up to 24 hours before check-in.

What Is the Pikes Peak Lot at Denver Airport and Where Is It Located?

The Pikes Peak Shuttle Lot is an on-airport, outdoor surface parking lot operated by the Denver Department of Aviation at Denver International Airport. It sits on the airport campus, accessible directly off Peña Boulevard — the sole access road connecting DEN to I-70, about 12 miles away.

The lot is located beyond the main terminal garage complex, farther from the Jeppesen Terminal than the East and West Garages. Because it's an open-air surface lot, there's no covered protection from Colorado's sun, hail, or snow. That trade-off is exactly why the price stays at a flat $10 per day. Shuttle buses pick you up at the lot and deliver you directly to the terminal — no driving through congested garage levels required.

DEN's official parking page at flydenver.com lists the Pikes Peak Lot alongside its sibling, the Longs Peak Shuttle Lot, which is $10/day when open but is currently closed. The lot is part of DEN's broader network of ~42,000 parking spaces across all lots and garages, one of the largest airport parking systems in the country, per the Denver Department of Aviation.

How Much Does It Cost to Park at the Pikes Peak Lot?

Parking at the Pikes Peak Lot costs $10 per day, with no hourly rate. That makes it the most affordable on-airport lot with a shuttle at Denver International Airport (rates checked October 2026 on flydenver.com). DEN adds no taxes or fees to its published rates.

Here's how the Pikes Peak Lot stacks up against all on-airport DEN parking options:

For a 7-day trip, the Pikes Peak Lot costs $70 total. The East or West Garage would run $245 for the same week, a savings of $175. Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted at the lots, and cash only at the Level 5 kiosks. For stays over 30 days, arrange ahead with DEN at (303) 342-4650 or the car may be towed.

For a deeper look at all DEN parking rates and what each lot actually costs over longer stays, see the Denver Airport Parking Rates & Cost Guide 2026.

How Does the Pikes Peak Lot Shuttle Work — Frequency, Hours, and Wait Times

The Pikes Peak Lot shuttle is free and runs every 7 to 15 minutes. Buses take passengers from the lot to the Jeppesen Terminal. DEN advises allowing about 30 minutes for the trip, and there is no grace period at this lot.

Here's what to expect from the shuttle experience:

• Wait time: Typically 7 to 15 minutes at the stop during normal hours
• Peak travel periods: Around Thanksgiving, ski season (December to March) and spring break, expect longer waits and allow extra time beyond the 30 minutes DEN suggests
• Luggage: Bring your bags to the shuttle stop with you
• Return trip: On arrival, go to Level 5, Door 513, Island 3 (East side of the terminal only) for the Pikes Peak shuttle
• Grace period: None, so build a little margin into your return date

DEN's ongoing Great Hall renovation ($2 billion) has changed some ground transportation routing inside the terminal. The East Security Checkpoint opened in August 2025 with 17 new screening lanes, easing congestion. Check DEN's Great Hall Program page before your trip for any shuttle pickup location updates. The Longs Peak Shuttle Lot is currently closed, so check flydenver.com for current lot status.

If you have TSA PreCheck and can move through security quickly, the 7 to 15 minute shuttle wait from Pikes Peak becomes very manageable. Budget at least 2.5 hours before departure when using a shuttle lot.

Pikes Peak Lot vs. Longs Peak Lot vs. 61st & Peña: Which DEN Lot Is Right for You?

DEN has three budget lots on campus, and they're not identical. Longs Peak is currently closed, so here's a direct comparison to help you pick between the options that matter.

Because Longs Peak is currently closed, Pikes Peak is DEN's only open $10/day shuttle lot. The 61st & Peña Lot saves you $2/day ($8/day), but it has no shuttle: you take the RTD A Line train, which costs $10.50 to the airport on an 11-minute ride. On a short trip the train fare cancels out the saving, so Pikes Peak is usually the simpler choice.

For a full breakdown of how these lots compare to off-airport alternatives, check the DEN Long-Term Parking guide. Off-site lots on Triply are close to Pikes Peak pricing: Park2Jet is about $9/day, about 6% less per day, while Canopy is about $11/day, about 11% more.

Is the Pikes Peak Lot Safe? What Travelers Need to Know About Security

The Pikes Peak Lot is an official DEN on-campus facility, managed by the Denver Department of Aviation. Security is present, and the lot is monitored with surveillance cameras. That said, it's an open-air surface lot — not an enclosed garage — so a few precautions are worth taking.

Catalytic converter theft has been a documented concern at large outdoor airport lots across Colorado, including at DEN. Travelers in online reviews specifically mention this risk. Here's how to reduce your exposure:

• Park near other vehicles or high-traffic areas, since thieves target isolated spots at the edges of lots
• Use a catalytic converter shield or anti-theft device if you drive a vehicle with a known target profile (Toyota Prius, Honda Element, Ford F-250, etc.)
• Remove valuables from your car: don't leave bags, electronics, or anything visible on seats
• Note your exact parking spot number or row and take a photo so you can find your car quickly on return
• If you want a covered, enclosed option, the East or West Garages ($7/hour, $35/day max) offer more physical protection

No editorial source covering DEN parking has ever addressed catalytic converter risk at the Pikes Peak Lot directly — but traveler reviews do. This is a real concern for multi-day trips, especially during busy periods when the lot fills and staff presence can thin out in remote sections.

How to Get to the Pikes Peak Lot from I-70, E-470, and Peña Boulevard

Denver International Airport is accessible by a single road: Peña Boulevard, which runs 12 miles from I-70 to the terminal area. All DEN parking lots, including Pikes Peak, are entered via Peña Boulevard or its spur roads on the airport campus.

Here's how to get there from the major approach roads:

• From I-70 (east or west): Take the Peña Boulevard exit and follow signs 12 miles to DEN. Look for Pikes Peak Lot directional signs on the airport campus before reaching the terminal garages.
• From E-470 (toll road, eastern bypass): Exit at Peña Boulevard heading west toward DEN. E-470 is the fastest approach from the southeast Denver suburbs, Aurora, and the Tech Center.
• From I-25 (north or south): Connect to I-70 eastbound, then follow Peña Boulevard. Alternatively, use I-225 to connect south of Aurora.
• From downtown Denver or Central Park (Stapleton): Take I-70 east or 56th Avenue to Peña Boulevard. The drive takes 30-45 minutes depending on traffic.

Before you leave home, check real-time traffic on Waze — Peña Boulevard can back up during peak departure windows (Friday afternoons, Sunday evenings, and holiday Mondays). Construction activity near the terminal from the ongoing Great Hall renovation can also slow entry road traffic.

How to Save Money on Denver Airport Parking: Pikes Peak Lot Tips and Alternatives

The Pikes Peak Lot is already one of the cheapest on-airport options at DEN, but you can stretch that value even further with the right strategy.

Tips for the Pikes Peak Lot

• No advance reservation: DEN takes reservations only for Premium Reserve, so the Pikes Peak Lot is drive-up. Just arrive and park.
• Arrive early during peak season, such as Thanksgiving week, ski season and spring break, and have a backup plan in case the lot is full. Longs Peak is currently closed, so your backups are the Economy Lots ($20/day) or an off-site lot.
• Payment: cards and tap-to-pay work at the lots; cash is accepted only at the Level 5 kiosks.
• Add buffer time before departure: factor in the 7 to 15 minute shuttle wait and the 30 minutes DEN suggests allowing, plus terminal time. TSA recommends arriving at least 2 hours before domestic flights; 3 hours for international.

When Off-Airport Lots Beat the Pikes Peak Rate

Off-site lots are worth comparing, but be realistic: Pikes Peak at $10/day is about as cheap as most of them. On Triply, Park2Jet Denver is about $9/day with a shuttle to the airport 24/7 every 10 to 15 minutes, only about 6% less than Pikes Peak (about $66 for a week versus $70). Canopy Denver Airport Parking is about $11/day, about 11% more than Pikes Peak, with a complimentary shuttle 24/7 every 15 minutes. Embassy Suites Denver Airport is about $6/day plus an $8 round-trip shuttle fee paid at the front desk; its 24/7 shuttle requires a call to 303-574-3000 up to 24 hours ahead and serves the West terminal only.

For electric vehicles, DEN's garages offer free EV charging with parking (West Level 1: 25 stations; East Level 1: 11), at the garage rates of $7/hour and $35/day max, and the 61st & Peña lot has 11 free EV chargers. Surface shuttle lots like Pikes Peak are not listed with EV charging. Triply doesn't promise EV charging at its off-site rates.

If you're hunting for promo codes or discount deals, the Denver Airport Parking Deals & Coupons 2026 guide has current offers worth checking before you book.

RTD A Line: A Parking-Free Alternative

If you're coming from downtown Denver, LoDo, or the Central Park neighborhood, the RTD A Line commuter rail runs from Denver Union Station to DEN in 37 minutes for $10.50, about the price of a single day of Pikes Peak parking. On longer trips, skipping parking altogether can save money. Check schedules at RTD's A Line page.

Ready to find the best DEN parking rate for your travel dates? Compare off-site Denver airport parking on Triply, from about $9/day (Park2Jet, 24/7 shuttle) to about $11/day (Canopy), plus Embassy Suites at about $6/day with an $8 shuttle fee. Free cancellation with a full refund up to 24 hours before check-in.

Complete DEN Airport Parking Guide

Compare DEN parking rates. Park2Jet, an off-site lot Triply sells near Denver International Airport, costs about $9/day, about 73% less per day than the $35/day terminal garages.