Best apps to find parking in Denver
These apps help you locate and reserve parking garages and lots before you leave home — often at lower rates than paying at the gate:
- SpotHero: The most comprehensive parking reservation app in Denver. Covers hundreds of garages and lots citywide, shows real-time availability, and offers pre-paid rates typically 20–40% below drive-up pricing. Also lists off-airport DIA parking options.
- ParkWhiz / BestParking: Similar to SpotHero with solid Denver coverage. Good for comparison shopping — sometimes has exclusive deals on lots that SpotHero doesn't carry.
- ParkMobile: Best known as Denver's official meter payment app, but also has a "Reserve" feature for pre-booking garage spots at select locations.
- Google Maps: Shows nearby parking options with pricing estimates and links to SpotHero reservations. Useful for orienting yourself, though not a dedicated parking app.
- Passport Parking: Used in some Denver zones as an alternative to ParkMobile for meter payment. Less widely adopted than ParkMobile in Denver specifically.
Apps for paying Denver parking meters
ParkMobile is Denver's official city-partner app for on-street parking payments. It's the primary app you'll need for paying meters throughout the city. Key features:
- Pay for meter time without coins or credit card at the kiosk
- Extend your session remotely from anywhere — no need to run back to your car
- Receive push notifications 10–15 minutes before your time expires
- View payment history and parking receipts in the app
- Works across virtually all metered spaces in Denver, including downtown, LoDo, Cherry Creek, and neighborhood commercial zones
Passport Parking is accepted at some Denver locations as well, but ParkMobile has much broader coverage. If you only download one app for Denver street parking, make it ParkMobile.
ParkMobile in Denver — how it works
- Download ParkMobile (iOS or Android) and create a free account
- Add a payment method (credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay)
- When you park, find the zone number displayed on the meter head or on a nearby sign — it's typically a 4–5 digit number
- Enter the zone number in the app and select your desired parking duration
- Start your session — you'll get a confirmation and can track time remaining in the app
- To extend your time, tap "Extend" in the app from anywhere — up to the posted maximum for that block
Apps to reserve airport parking at DIA
If you're flying out of Denver International Airport, these apps help you book and compare parking before your trip:
- SpotHero: Lists multiple off-airport DIA lots with prepaid rates and shuttle pickup. Good coverage of independent operators near the airport.
- The Parking Spot app: The Parking Spot has two locations near DIA. Their app lets you reserve and check in digitally — often cheaper than DIA's own garages with free frequent-parker rewards.
- ParkDIA.com: Denver Airport's official parking reservation tool for on-airport garages (Economy, Terminal, Pikes Peak Garage). Pre-booking here guarantees a spot and sometimes offers a small discount.
- Windy Parking: Compares all off-airport DIA lots in one place, so you can see which lot offers the lowest rate for your exact dates without visiting multiple sites.
App comparison: Denver parking
| App | Best For | Free? | Denver Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| ParkMobile | Paying street meters | Free (+ small fee/session) | Excellent — city-wide |
| SpotHero | Reserving garages & DIA lots | Free | Excellent — hundreds of lots |
| ParkWhiz / BestParking | Garage reservations | Free | Good downtown coverage |
| The Parking Spot | DIA airport parking | Free | DIA area only |
| Windy Parking | Comparing all DIA off-airport lots | Free | DIA off-airport lots |
| Google Maps | Finding parking locations | Free | Good for discovery, limited booking |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best app to pay Denver parking meters?
ParkMobile is Denver's official city app for paying parking meters. It's accepted at meters citywide, lets you add time remotely without returning to your car, and sends alerts before your session expires. Enter the zone number from your meter, set your time, and pay — setup takes about 2 minutes.
What is the best app to find parking in Denver?
For finding and reserving parking garages and lots in Denver, SpotHero and ParkWhiz are the best options. They show real-time availability, allow pre-booking at rates often 20–40% below drive-up prices, and cover most major garages downtown.
Does ParkMobile work in Denver?
Yes. ParkMobile is Denver's official city-partner app for on-street parking payments. It works at metered spaces throughout downtown, LoDo, Capitol Hill, Cherry Creek, and other Denver neighborhoods. Look for the zone number on the meter or nearby signage, enter it in the app, and pay.
What app should I use to reserve parking at DIA?
For reserving airport parking at Denver International Airport, SpotHero lists multiple off-airport DIA lots with pre-paid rates. The Parking Spot has its own app for their DIA locations. ParkDIA.com covers DIA's official on-airport garages. Windy Parking compares all off-airport DIA lots in one place to find the lowest rate for your exact dates.
Is Google Maps useful for finding parking in Denver?
Google Maps is useful for identifying parking areas near your destination in Denver and integrates with SpotHero for reservations. However, it doesn't show real-time street meter availability. Use Google Maps to orient yourself, then switch to ParkMobile for meter payment or SpotHero for garage booking.