Telluride, Colorado, is a town that feels like it came straight out of a painting. With its many visitors, it’s important to be familiar with the available parking options for your car or rental vehicle. For your vacation, almost all of our Telluride Vacation Rentals have a dedicated parking space for a vehicle.
Flying to Telluride is one of the fastest and easiest ways to begin your mountain vacation. Whether you're visiting for ski season, summer festivals, hiking, or a relaxing getaway, several regional airports provide convenient access to Telluride.
This guide covers the best airports, transfer options, and what travelers should know before arrival.
Telluride Regional Airport (TEX)
The closest airport to Telluride, located just minutes from town.
Best For:
Good to Know:
Mountain weather can occasionally affect schedules, especially in winter.
Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ)
The most popular airport for Telluride visitors.
Why Guests Choose It:
Drive Time to Telluride:
Approximately 1.5 to 2 hours
Other Regional Airports
Depending on pricing and schedules, travelers may also consider:
These options usually require a longer drive.
Telluride Express
We often recommend Telluride Express for guests flying into nearby airports.
Why It’s Popular:
Best For:
Renting a Car vs Taking a Shuttle
Rent a Car If You Want To:
Use a Shuttle If You Want To:
Driving to Telluride is one of the most scenic ways to arrive. Stunning mountain views, alpine highways, and open-road flexibility make the journey part of the vacation.
Whether you're driving from Colorado, another nearby state, or picking up a rental car at the airport, this guide covers everything you need to know.
Benefits of Driving:
Bring more luggage, ski gear, bikes, or pets
Flexible travel schedule
Easier grocery stops before arrival
Great for families and longer stays
Perfect for road-trip travelers
Approximate Drive Times
From Nearby Airports:
Montrose Regional Airport to Telluride: 1.5 to 2 hours
Durango-La Plata County Airport to Telluride: 2.5 hours
Grand Junction Regional Airport to Telluride: 3 hours
Regional Cities:
Denver to Telluride: 6.5 to 7.5 hours
Colorado Springs to Telluride: 6+ hours
Albuquerque to Telluride: 6 hours
Telluride Express
Guests flying into Montrose often use Telluride Express instead of renting a car.
Why We Recommend It:
Airport pickup service
Easy transfer to Telluride
Great in winter conditions
No parking worries once you arrive
Winter Driving Tips
We Recommend:
AWD or 4WD vehicles
Snow tires when possible
Checking weather before travel
Allowing extra travel time
Arriving before dark when possible
Once You Arrive
Many guests park once and rarely drive again.
Easy Ways to Get Around:
Telluride Gondola
Galloping Goose shuttle
Walking downtown
Complete Guide for Vivid Vacation Rentals Guests
Planning your stay in Telluride? Parking in Telluride can be limited during ski season, festivals, holidays, and busy summer weekends, so planning ahead makes arrival much smoother.
The good news: Most Vivid Vacation Rentals properties include 1–2 parking spaces depending on the home or condo you booked. If you're traveling with extra vehicles, visitors, or need overflow parking, this guide covers the best options.
Most of our homes and condos include:
Before Arrival, We Recommend Confirming:
Nothing says “vacation mode” like knowing where to park before you arrive.
Carhenge Parking Lot
Best Free Public Parking Option
Carhenge is the most popular overflow lot for guests with a second vehicle.
Why Guests Use It:
Free all-day parking
About a 10-minute walk to downtown Telluride
Access to the free Galloping Goose shuttle
Great for daytime extra vehicle parking
Important Notes:
No overnight parking allowed
Fills quickly during ski weekends and festivals
Best to arrive early during peak dates
Best For:
Second vehicles
Day visitors joining your group
Extra daytime parking when your rental includes one space
Silverjack Parking Garage
Best Overnight Parking Option
If you need overnight parking for an extra vehicle, Silverjack Garage is often the easiest public option.
Why It’s Popular:
Covered garage parking
Convenient in-town location
Better protection during winter weather
Good for multi-night overflow parking
Best For:
Additional overnight vehicles
Winter travelers
Guests wanting easier snow-season parking
Street parking may be available throughout town depending on location and posted signs.
Always Check Signs For:
Winter Reminder:
During storms, streets may require snow removal access. Vehicles parked in restricted areas may be ticketed or towed.
Parking demand increases significantly during:
Best Strategy:
Telluride winters are beautiful... and occasionally savage.
Smart Tips:
Many guests park once and rarely drive again.
Easy Ways to Get Around:
Telluride is one of those rare places where not driving can actually improve the trip.
Planning your stay in Mountain Village, Colorado? Parking in Mountain Village can vary by property, season, and location, so it helps to know the basics before you arrive. Most Vivid Vacation Rentals homes and condos in Mountain Village include on-site parking, but the number of spaces, garage access, and overflow options may differ by property. Mountain Village also offers public parking garages, paid overnight parking in certain locations, gondola-adjacent access, and EV charging options.
Many Vivid Vacation Rentals properties in Mountain Village include parking on-site, whether in a garage, driveway, HOA lot, or designated building parking area. This is common for condo communities and private homes, but restrictions can vary depending on the building or neighborhood. For guests staying at properties such as Terraces, Blue Mesa, Mountain Lodge, or private homes, we recommend confirming the number of included spaces before arrival, especially if your group is traveling with more than one vehicle.
Common guest questions usually include:
That “we brought two cars and only have one spot” moment is very Mountain Village-coded.
Mountain Village has several public parking options that may help if your rental has limited parking or your group is arriving in multiple vehicles. The Town of Mountain Village’s official parking resources identify the main public options as the Gondola Parking Garage, Heritage Parking Garage, and Meadows Parking Lot. Paid public overnight parking is allowed in the Gondola Parking Garage and Heritage Parking Garage.
Gondola Parking Garage
The Gondola Parking Garage is one of the main public parking facilities in Mountain Village and is a useful option for guests who want access near the village core and gondola area. The Town’s parking information states that overnight parking is allowed here, with published overnight pricing for vehicles and oversized vehicles/RVs. The Town has also identified this garage as a key parking area near the village center, and it has EV infrastructure including Tesla Superchargers.
Heritage Parking Garage
The Heritage Parking Garage is another public parking option in Mountain Village, including paid overnight parking. Town notices also reference it as an evening and event parking option near the core.
Meadows Parking Lot
The Meadows Parking Lot is especially relevant for guests looking for parking near the chondola/gondola access, since the Town states it is the closest parking lot to the bottom of the chondola. However, overnight parking in the Meadows is generally prohibited without the appropriate resident pass or permit.
Overnight Parking in Mountain Village
If you need overnight parking in Mountain Village, the safest general guidance is this: public overnight parking is available in the Gondola Parking Garage and Heritage Parking Garage, while overnight parking in the Meadows Lot is restricted and generally prohibited without the appropriate pass. Policies and pricing can change seasonally, especially in winter, so guests should verify the latest rules before arrival.
This matters most for:
If your priority is parking near the gondola in Mountain Village, the Town’s transportation page notes that the Meadows Parking Lot is the closest lot to the bottom of the chondola. Public garages in the village core can also be practical depending on where you need to go once you arrive.
For guests staying in Mountain Village, this is useful if you:
Winter Parking in Mountain Village
Winter is when parking gets trickier. The Town of Mountain Village adopted winter parking rates and policies for the 2025–2026 season, including daytime winter parking rates in the Gondola Parking Garage and Meadows Lot, plus seasonal enforcement and overnight rules. Town materials say the policy changes were intended to manage high winter demand and reduce congestion from single-occupancy vehicles in key lots.
For Vivid guests, the biggest winter parking pain points are usually:
Mountain Village said “beautiful alpine village,” but parking in powder season occasionally says “survival challenge.”
EV Charging in Mountain Village
If you drive an electric vehicle, Mountain Village has charging infrastructure available. The Town states there is an eight-post Tesla Supercharger station at the Gondola Parking Garage, plus additional ChargePoint charging in Heritage Parking Garage and the southwest corner of the Meadows Parking Lot. The Town also notes that ChargePoint stations are billed per kWh and that additional fees can apply after a grace period once a vehicle is fully charged.
If you are staying with Vivid Vacation Rentals in Mountain Village, here are the main things to keep in mind:
1. Confirm your included parking before arrival
Some condos and lodges may include only one space, while larger homes may have more flexibility.
2. If you are bringing more than one vehicle, plan ahead
Public garages may be the easiest backup if your rental’s parking is limited. Paid overnight parking is generally available in the Gondola and Heritage garages.
3. Winter visitors should expect stricter parking enforcement
Winter parking demand is higher, and public lots may follow seasonal rate structures and overnight restrictions.
4. Gondola access parking is available, but not every lot works the same way
The Meadows lot is closest to the chondola, but it is not the best assumption for overnight use.
5. EV drivers have options
Mountain Village has both Tesla Superchargers and ChargePoint stations.
Mountain Village offers various parking options across several locations, with rates effective from April 8, 2024, through November 14, 2024:
Overnight parking is available in select garages, with strict regulations on oversized vehicles. Various parking permits are offered to residents, commuters, and locals.
