900 Grand Ave. Now, hiking trails provide access to plenty of these photo-worthy scenes in the White River National Forest, including hypnotizing fields of wildflowers and anglers seeking catches in tranquil Maroon Lake. bus or shuttle to Denver Airport from Aspen/Snowmass? Snow makes route finding difficult. A $10 per person, per night fee is required for the limited overnight permit areas from May 1 through October 31. For camping, backpacking & trail . Crater Lake Zone Designated Campsites Note: You must arrive before 8am to park from late May to late October. On weekdays, its $10 for 0-3 hours, $15 for 3-8 hours and $25 for 8+ hours. Hiking with Kids 12. 2. This is the only site available in the Maroon Bells Scenic Area for wedding receptions. We use cookies on our website to support technical features that enhance your user experience. No matter the season, beauty abounds at the Maroon Bells, which is why its become a bucket list destination for so many. The overnight lots are located below the Day Use lot at Maroon Lake; camping is prohibited. Camping permitted in developed campgrounds and/or designated campsites only. Conundrum Hot Springs Designated Campsites Check out time is 2:00 p.m. Learn how to visit this iconic landmark and see what makes it a fixture of the states breathtaking scenery. From early October to late June in the Rocky Mountains, campsites, trails and mountan passes are snow covered and trailheads may be inaccessible. You can't get a camper to the West Maroon TH on the Crested Butte side. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Pro tip: As you gain altitude, spontaneous thunderstorms and hail are common for mountain regions, especially in the afternoons. - Green ski runs on Aspen Mountain Trail Snapshot 2. 970-925-3445. Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Maroon Lake Trail 6. Both of the these trails are heavily trafficked. They won't let you park overnight, but you can easily drive yourself in, as long as you're there before 8am. The office is open Monday-Friday 8 a.m . It leaves every 20 minutes on the hour. Filter. Official websites use .gov A .gov For Maroon Bells reservation questions, please call970-930-6442 or email[emailprotected]. Maroon Creek Trail 8. For camping, backpacking & trail conditionquestions, please contact the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District at 970-963-2266. The Willow Lake Trail 10. I read from photography guide book that people stay in their vehicle overnight in order to catch the first light hitting the mountain. Williamsburg Garage Door Repair. What are people saying about parking services in Provo, UT? A: Maroon Creek Road typically opens in mid-May, but this opening date is contingent on weather. If you plan to start your trip at the Maroon Scenic Area, you will need to reserve a parking or bus reservation. A free bus also runs from Aspen to Aspen Highlands, labeled the Castle/Maroon bus. The area is an excellent gathering spot for families, group gatherings and parties. The $6 reservation fee is non-refundable, Canceled permits will be available on permit website within 24 hours of cancellation. Permits must be purchased in advance at, rent an e-bike from the Four Mountain Sports, Aspen Resort Chamber Association's website. The Maroon Bells operating season is done under cooperative agreement and partnership with Roaring Fork Transportation Authority, Pitkin County, the Aspen Chamber Resort Association, the City of Aspen, and Aspen Skiing Company. Maroon Bells Parking Permits, May 15 - October 31, 2023, *From May 26th through October 22nd you must arrive before 8:00 AM. Let's start over. We also use analytics & advertising services. Fall colors make it an especially dreamy time to visit, when the Maroon Bells are cradled by cloud-speckled blue skies and golden aspen groves. No, swimming is not permitted at Maroon lake. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permits Part of White River National Forest Need to Know Fees & Cancellations Getting Here Contacts The best way to plan for your trip and to be ready to reserve a permit is to understand where you plan to camp each night of your trip. Campsite List Seasons & Fees Rules & Cancellations Facility Information A: The drive from Denver to the shuttle pick up for Maroon Bells (Maroon Bells Basecamp) is 3.5 hours. Permit holder or alternate leader must be present. Late June and early July will offer beautiful wildflowers in the high country, while September boasts some of the best fall foliage in the country. Learn more about Maroon Bells reservations >>. Conundrum Hot Springs Zone reserveable campsites, Permit is non-transferable. There will be the ability for private vehicles to drop off passengers between 6 AMand 8 AMwithout a parking reservation; however, visitors who are dropped off during this time will need a one-way ticket to ride the shuttle down to Aspen Highlands after 8 a.m. Commercial drop-offs are not allowed at any time. We are travelling in a small van camper. For Maroon Bells reservation questions, please call 970-930-6442 or email [email protected]. And, I'm not sure where you could even leave a camper. For Maroon Bells reservation questions, please call 970-930-6442 or email info@visitmaroonbells.com . The best time to hike in the Maroon Bells area is late July through September when the snow has melted and the temperatures are still optimal. Or, park your car at the Aspen Highlands parking garage for $6 per hour. All rights reserved. Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Maroon Creek Road is open to bicycles and e-bikes. Call Toll Free 1 (877) 444-6777 (International (518) 885-3639 or TDD (877) 833-6777) or reserve on-line at www.recreation.gov. Reservations are required to visit Maroon Bells by car or shuttle. Guide To Backpacking The Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop Supervisor's Office Total overnight visitors accessing the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness via the 10 most popular trailheads reached a new record in 2020, with 18,324 entering the backcountry to camp, according to data collected by the Forest Service based on the trailhead registration forms that backpackers are required to fill out. During this time, you can purchase a single-ride sightseeing ticket for the Summit Express Lift at Buttermilk. The picnic area is available for use by the general public, but can be reserved for private events. Overnight Parking is extremely limited. The office is open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., excluding federal holidays. 5:00 PM - 12:00 AM Midnight, Maroon Bells Evening Parking Permits, May 15-26 & October 24-31. Reminder: This is a wilderness area. Maroon Bells parking permits up for grabs April 11 Choose between a shuttle reservation or a parking reservation. More than 300 million years of geologic activity, including sedimentation, uplift and erosion by wind, water and ice, are credited to the creation of Maroon Valley. Large groups may need to make two reservations and split your party between two shuttle times. 4. Permits are available at recreation.gov. $10 lunch credit at Sundeck Restaurant* (top of Aspen Mountain), Ajax Tavern (base of Aspen Mountain), or Elk Camp Restaurant (top of Elk Camp Gondola at Snowmass) for one time use, 20% off bike rentals at Four Mountain Sports for one time use (excluding downhill bikes and e-bikes)***. Generally considered a challenging route. From Aspen, take Hwy. National Forest - A bad day in Aspen, Colorado. Please contact the United States Forest Service to confirm whether the road is open before your trip. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Maroon Lake sits in the natural amphitheater below the towering 14,000-foot Maroon Bells. Maroon Bells Reservations - 2 Nights - Pre Shuttle | Aspen Is there a shuttle from Denver to Aspen anymore? FAQs Maroon Bells, Visitor Info | Aspen, Colorado | Aspen Snowmass When buses are not in operation, all vehicles may access the Maroon Bells for a $10 fee or via one of the national recreation passes. For camping, backpacking & trail condition questions, please contact the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District at 970-963-2266. connected to the .gov website. This Wilderness is located inColorado within the Elk Mountains and spans the White River and Gunnison National Forests. connected to the .gov website. CLOSED NOW. Permit holders should cancel their permit if they will not use it to allow another visitor the opportunity to visit this amazing place. The best time to visit the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is July through September. From early October to late June, campsites, trails, and mountain passes are snow covered and the trailheads may be inaccessible. We provide tools and tips to discover Driving Directions 3. Photography 11. The Maroon Bells bus departs from the Aspen Highlands Visitor Center. That means: Stay on designated trails. Mountain bikes and all mechanized vehicles are prohibited on the trails and within the boundaries of the wilderness area. Do not approach or engage with wildlife. Dress appropriately and come prepared; weather changes quickly and often in the Rocky Mountains. There is no cell phone service. Dogs must be leashed and pick up their waste. Littering is prohibited and all trash must be packed out. 6 min. Half-day, whole-day, and overnight parking permits will all be available on the Aspen Chamber Resort Association homepage, . The camping permit system, and the regulations, are in place to help protect this unique Wilderness treasure. History and Geology Maroon Bells can only be accessed by public bus ($16/adult; $10/senior over 65 + children under 12). The overnight permitting system does not apply to day hikers or the Maroon Bells Scenic Area, which has a separate parking and shuttle reservation system. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permit Zone Map, Conundrum Hot Springs Designated Campsites, Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permit Zones, Williams Peak and Ginright (Fourmile)Timber Sale Project Area Restrictions, Caving & Spelunking: Registration Required, No restrooms in Wilderness; see Restrictions. Best 11 Overnight Parking in Provo, UT with Reviews - YP.com - Yellow Pages Night Tours from $40.00 per adult Highlights of Aspen Tour 5 Walking Tours from $40.00 per adult Extreme Sledding in Breckenridge: High Speed Excitement 63 Recommended from $34.00 per adult Scenic Canyon Half-Day Float 106 Recommended Adventure Tours from $72.00 per adult Aspen's Past to Present Historic Tour 8 Walking Tours from $40.00 per adult Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness Photos (6,791) Directions Print/PDF map Length 25.7 miElevation gain 7,752 ftRoute type Loop Try this 25.7-mile loop trail near Aspen, Colorado. Start at the outlet of Maroon Lake and travel north along Maroon Creek to encounter alpine meadows, aspen forests and rocky slopes. Reservations are not required for the Aspen Highlands parking garage. We average about 2 miles per hour and we were a little slower than that for this hike, probably due to the weight of our bags. UTA Offers Free Multi-Day Parking - Utah Transit Authority At the top of the world, its easier to find your center. new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, Permits are required year-round, but the best time to visit the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is July through September. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Mountain Biking In The Roaring Fork Valley. Paid parking at Aspen Highlands: $7 per hour, with a maximum of $40 per day. From early October to late June campsites, trails, and mountain passes are snow covered and the trailheads may be inaccessible.. And according to the U.S. Forest Service, the mountains received their distinctive maroon coloring from the weathering of hematite, an iron-bearing mineral, while Maroon Lake occupies a basin that was sculpted by Ice Age glaciers. 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM (60-Hours), 2-Nights. A parking reservation is required to visit the Maroon Bells regardless of the time of day. ContactBlazing Adventuresfor transportation options to Maroon Bells when the RFTA shuttle is not running. Its best to take the bus, and the majority of the time, its your only option. Maroon Bells 101: All You Need To Know - Aspen Snowmass Overnight parking or camping is prohibited. Contactfor current Maroon Bells information. - The "Welcome to Aspen" arrival sign as seen in Dumb and Dumber Get answers to your questions about Aspen. Day Parking is available at the end of Maroon Creek road at Maroon Lake. Anchored by a stunning reflective lake, Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak tower over the area, creating an oasis of natural wonder that captivates visitors of this unique destination year-round. ) or https:// means you've safely If you cannot find availability for your group size, and you have more than 15 people, please email, The Maroon Bells operating season is done under cooperative agreement and partnership with, Maroon Creek Road to Maroon Bells is Closed for the Winter Season. This 3.2-mile one-way trail is an excellent place to spot wildlife such as mule deer, red fox, bighorn sheep, porcupines and a variety of birds. Maroon Creek Road will reopen in May 2023. and reservations. Provo parking - free or cheap lots, garages and street meter spots Permits and overnight fees are required for several areas of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. (970)945-2521, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whiteriver/recarea/?recid=82346. Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permit Zones. Please include a phone number to be called back on.