Last Updated on November 1, 2022 by Usama
Elitch Gardens Parking
Elitch Gardens Theme Park, the nation’s only downtown area theme and water park, is home to over 50 rides spread over 63 acres. This 130-year-old amusement center is notorious for its expensive on-site parking lot fees, so we advise visitors to learn about alternative parking areas before visiting. Our guide offers information about affordable parking at Elitch Gardens, nearby lots, admission tickets, directions for ADA parking, and public transportation.
Elitch Gardens is conveniently located at the following address: 2000 Elitch Circle, Denver, CO 80204.
Elitch Gardens Tickets and Hours
The amusement park hours vary every month and are subject to change without notice while the Water Park opening is dependent on weather and temperature. Check out the Elitch Gardens website for information about this month’s hours.
Visitors 15 years or below must be accompanied by an adult parent, legal guardian, or supervising adult at least 21 years of age. Adult chaperones must present a valid ID with a photograph and date of birth. For more information about visiting with a minor, read Elitch Gardens’ Youth Chaperone Policy.
Elitch Gardens offers day tickets, season passes, and several ticket add-ons. Day tickets are more affordable when purchased online than main gate purchases, even when considering the $8.99 processing fee per order that is deducted for online purchases. Children 2 or under enjoy free admission. Here are the prices.
| Ticket | Price |
| Online Day Ticket | $49.99 |
| Day Ticket at the Gate | $69.99 |
| Season Pass | Starts at $74.99 |
Season passes include several perks, including unlimited visits, free parking, and bring-a-friend tickets (select days only). Those visiting with a group of 15 plus can save with group discount tickets.
How Much Is Parking at Elitch Gardens?
Although expensive, the main surface lot is the most convenient place to park. Elitch Gardens parking rates vary depending on the type of vehicle or payment method.
| Vehicle type | Rate |
| Regular | $25 (credit card) or $30 (cash) |
| RV | $30 |
| Buses/Larger Vans | Free |
Visitors looking to save may consider parking at a nearby surface lot or garage (more on this below). The Elitch Gardens Season Parking Pass is also a more affordable alternative to daily parking. For $70, frequent visitors get convenient parking until the end of the operating season.
ADA Parking Availability
Accessible parking is available at the Elitch Gardens parking lot near the main entrance. Standard parking rates apply. Guests with valid parking permits will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. These ADA parking spaces are labeled as Reserved Parking, and each spot has an accessibility symbol. All vehicles occupying these spots without a valid permit are subject to ticketing.
Additional Parking for Elitch Gardens Guests
Visitors aiming to avoid the theme park’s expensive parking fees may consider parking at more affordable surface lots and nearby garages. We rounded up the closest and cheapest parking services below. The rates listed are for a three-hour stay, and you can use popular parking platforms to get a mobile pass in advance.
| Parking Facility | Address | Rate | Distance |
| Wewatta St. Garage | 1400 Wewatta St. | $13 | 0.5 mi |
| LAZ Parking Garage | 1900 16th St. | $20 | 0.6 mi |
| Platte 15 Garage | 1550 Platte St. | $15 | 0.6 mi |
| Union Station Garage | 1881 16th St. Mall | $15 | 0.7 mi |
| Parkwell Parking | 1673 Chestnut Pl. | $6 | 0.7 mi |
Convenient but pricey valet parking is available at the nearby SpringHill Suites by Marriott for $40 per day.
Street Parking Near Elitch Gardens
The nearest street parking spaces near Elitch Gardens are on Wazee Street, a two-minute walk away, but they fill up quickly. Several metered parking spots are also located along Cherry Creek Trail. The cost is $2 per hour with a maximum stay of 2 hours. Metered parking is enforced Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 10 PM. If you’re spending time in Elitch Gardens and looking to save, we recommend parking at nearby surface lots and garages to avoid incurring a Denver parking ticket.
Take Public Transit to Elitch Gardens
If you’re looking to skip the hassle of expensive Elitch Gardens parking fees, consider taking public transportation to Elitch Gardens. It’s easy to get to the museum by bus, train, or light rail. The Denver RTD operates the city’s public transit services. Bus lines 1 and 15L drop by the Auraria Pkwy & 9th St bus station, just an 8-minute walk from Elitch Gardens.
In addition, the Denver RTD light rail drops by the Auraria West Station, a 12-minute walk from the theme park. The fare per trip for bus and light rail is $2.80.
We Make Parking in Denver Hassle-Free
We’ve written hundreds of parking guides on numerous points of interest across the United States, so consider us experts when it comes to effortless parking. Aside from Elitch Gardens parking in Downtown Denver, you can read our guides on several other city attractions:
Staying in Denver? Read our guide on Low-Cost Denver Monthly Parking. If you’re flying out of Denver, compare and reserve parking spaces in airport lots with our Denver International Airport guide. On the other hand, travelers planning to leave their vehicle long-term in a hotel near DEN Airport will benefit from reading our guide on Denver Hotel Park & Fly Offers.