What is the Mt. Elbert parking lot at DIA?
Mt. Elbert is one of Denver International Airport's official on-airport economy parking lots. It is part of DIA's named-lot system — a series of economy surface lots named after Colorado's iconic 14,000-foot peaks. The system currently includes Pikes Peak, Longs Peak, and Mt. Elbert, with Mt. Elbert being one of the newer additions added to accommodate DIA's growing passenger traffic.
Mt. Elbert is named after Colorado's highest mountain — a 14,440-foot peak in the Sawatch Range near Leadville. It's an on-airport property, meaning your vehicle stays within DIA's secured campus, and the free shuttle runs directly to the Jeppesen Terminal without leaving airport grounds.
Mt. Elbert lot rates 2026
Mt. Elbert follows DIA's standard economy lot pricing, updated in May 2025:
| DIA Lot | Daily Rate | Weekly Rate | Covered | Shuttle Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mt. Elbert | $10/day | $70/week | No | 10–15 min | Newer lot, may have more availability |
| Pikes Peak | $10/day | $70/week | No | 10–15 min | Most established DIA economy lot |
| Longs Peak | $10/day | $70/week | No | 8–12 min | Closest economy lot to terminal |
| 61st & Peña (RTD) | $8/day | $56/week | No | A Line train | Train fare ~$10.50 each way |
Reserve online at flydenver.com to guarantee your space — especially important during summer peak travel (June–August) and major holidays. Walk-in availability cannot be guaranteed during high-demand periods.
Mt. Elbert lot location at DIA
The Mt. Elbert lot is located on DIA's on-airport campus on the east side of the airport property. Access is via Peña Boulevard — the main DIA access road — following airport signage to "Economy Lots." Once you are on airport property, DIA's wayfinding signs will direct you to the Mt. Elbert lot designation.
If you are using GPS, navigate to Denver International Airport (DEN) and follow Peña Blvd past the hotel and rental car areas toward the economy parking zones. The airport's signage system uses the lot names prominently — look for the Mt. Elbert signs at the lot entrance. Do not rely on GPS to navigate within the airport campus; use DIA's on-road signage once you exit Peña Blvd.
Mt. Elbert shuttle to terminal
The Mt. Elbert lot is served by DIA's free economy shuttle:
- Frequency: Every 5–10 minutes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Shared routes: The economy shuttle serves Pikes Peak, Longs Peak, and Mt. Elbert — you may ride the same bus as travelers from other lots
- Ride time: Approximately 10–15 minutes to the Jeppesen Terminal, depending on traffic and which lots the shuttle stops at en route
- Return pickup: On arrival at DEN, go to the baggage claim level and follow signs to Ground Transportation. Catch the economy lot shuttle there — it loops continuously and will be labeled by lot name
Plan for 20–25 minutes total from parking your car to reaching the terminal (5 min to find your spot and get to the shuttle stop + 10–15 min shuttle ride). For early morning or late night flights, the shuttle runs on the same schedule — there is no reduced overnight service.
Mt. Elbert vs. Pikes Peak vs. Longs Peak
All three are DIA on-airport economy lots at the same $10/day rate. The practical differences:
- Pikes Peak — the most established and widely known of DIA's named lots; often the first one travelers book; may fill first during peak travel
- Longs Peak — generally considered closest to the terminal among the three economy lots; slightly shorter shuttle ride; also popular and books up quickly
- Mt. Elbert — a newer addition to DIA's lot system; because it's less well-known, it may have better availability during busy periods when Pikes Peak and Longs Peak are full
Since the rate is identical at all three, your best strategy is to choose whichever lot has availability when you book on flydenver.com. If all three are showing limited availability, consider booking Mt. Elbert first — it may show space that Pikes Peak does not.
Mt. Elbert vs. off-airport parking
How does Mt. Elbert's $10/day compare to off-airport lots near DIA?
- Price: Off-airport lots like Canopy start around $9/day — slightly cheaper than Mt. Elbert's $10/day. The difference is small: roughly $5–10 over a 5–7 day trip
- Covered options: Mt. Elbert is open-air with no covered spaces. Off-airport lots like Canopy, WallyPark, and The Parking Spot all offer covered spaces — important for Denver's summer hail season
- Shuttle speed: DIA's economy shuttle runs every 5–10 minutes (faster than most off-airport lots). Off-airport lots typically run every 15–20 minutes
- Loyalty programs: DIA lots have no loyalty program. Off-airport lots like WallyPark and The Parking Spot offer points-based rewards
For uncovered open-air parking at the lowest possible price, Mt. Elbert and off-airport economy lots are nearly identical in cost. If you need covered parking to protect your vehicle, off-airport is your only option — DIA economy lots are all open-air surface lots.
Is the 61st & Peña lot cheaper than Mt. Elbert?
Yes — the 61st & Peña RTD lot charges $8/day versus Mt. Elbert's $10/day. However, there is an important catch: instead of a free shuttle, you must use the RTD A Line commuter train to reach DIA's terminal. The A Line fare is approximately $10.50 each way, or $21.00 round-trip.
The math for a typical 5-day trip:
- Mt. Elbert: $10 × 5 = $50 total parking (shuttle included)
- 61st & Peña: $8 × 5 + $21 train = $40 + $21 = $61 total
For trips under 2 weeks, the 61st & Peña lot is almost always more expensive once you factor in the train fare. The RTD lot only makes financial sense for very long trips (3+ weeks) or if you already have an RTD pass that covers the A Line fare.