St Elmo/Poplar Gulch Parking Question

[IHikeLikeAGirl]

I have heard rumors that parking is limited within the town of St Elmo and there are many "no parking" signs.

My 4WD is not the spry pup she used to be so, I may be taking a Hyundai roller skate to the town of St Elmo. Since I cannot drive to the Poplar Gulch Trailhead (proper), does anyone know where I could legally park a Hyundai low rider (somewhat near the TH) in St Elmo?

I will be gone for many, many hours and would be quite sad if my car was not where I left it....

- Vee

[Chicago Transplant]

The town gets really overrun with tourists. We were surprised how many people were in town when we were hiking up some random peaks off Tincup Road earlier this year! The parking in town on the roads seems probelmatic, but maybe if you are early enough? If not just before the "main drag" there is a huge ATV/Trailer staging parking lot. We have parked there in winter before to hike peaks up Tincup Road. I think you could find a place for your Hyundai there. Otherwise farther down the road before town is a bathroom on the left and small parking lot. Near the Hancock Road turnoff. Would not be much extra walking, maybe 1/2 mile to town?

The initial hill up out of St Elmo on the Tincup Road that leads to Poplar is unfortunately rocky and steep, so you are correct that you wouldn't make it in a low clearance vehicle.

[IHikeLikeAGirl]

Perfect, thank you!

Yes, I will be arriving early.

[KansanClimber]

There is parking around iron city and the campground too.

[johnF]

I did the same in mid-July, on a Saturday. Got there a little before 6am and parked on the left side of the "main drag," where the chipmunks are always scurrying around and getting fed. There was only one other car when I arrived. Returned at 8-something, and parking was filling up. I felt a little bad about hogging the space, but didn't have a ticket or anything. I imagine it's legal to park there as long as you want, but not positive.

[mtgirl]

Hi ! I was parked in St. Elmo in July to ride a mountain bike loop. I parked in the lot on the right (north) side just before town, fairly early. There were only a couple vehicles there. Returned to a jam packed lot of later-arriving ATV trucks and trailers. There are also some spots along the road just before this lot for a smaller vehicle if you want to save some room in that lot for the trucks and trailers.

[IHikeLikeAGirl]

Hey Vicki, what a pleasant surprise! Didn't expect to see you perusing this site, now that you're a kick @ss biker chick!
I guess you do it all now.

Thank you all for the info. Sounds like I can do this sans 4wd...and not get towed, woo hoo!

[mtgirl]

Hey Vicki, what a pleasant surprise! Didn't expect to see you perusing this site, now that you're a kick @ss biker chick!
I guess you do it all now.

Thank you all for the info. Sounds like I can do this sans 4wd...and not get towed, woo hoo!

Been nursing a bum knee, which has been keeping me from hiking peaks. Hoping to get back at it, especially once this pesky thing called "work" is over with for good in four more months. I gotta admit, the mountain biking has been pretty darn stellar though.