Maroon Bells 101: All You Need To Know
Learn about parking, permits, and wilderness operating hours.
Visiting the Maroon Bells is at the top of most summertime visitors’ bucket lists and people are certainly checking it off. Over 300,000 people passed through the gateway to the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness area in recent summers to access one of the most stunning outdoor settings in North America. And the hype is real. The wilderness area provides access to some epic outdoor adventures in the heart of the Elk Mountains.
Getting There
Updated Spring 2024
Reservations By Car or Shuttle
Reservations are required to visit Maroon Bells by car or shuttle. Vehicle access begins May 15 through October 31, 2024 and the RFTA shuttle system from Aspen Highlands begins May 24 and will run through October 20, 2024. It’s best to take the bus, and the majority of the time, it’s your only option. Maroon Bells can only be accessed by public bus ($16/adult; $10/senior over 65 + children under 12).
For an even more memorable route to experience the Maroon Bells, rent an e-bike from the Four Mountain Sports at the base of Aspen Highlands (or from Aspen for a longer ride), and cruise up Maroon Creek Road. The wilderness area is approximately 10 miles from downtown Aspen, 8 miles from the Aspen Highlands Visitor Center, and 5 miles from the Forest Service gate on Maroon Creek Road.
Parking & Fees
Note: Maroon Creek Road is also a popular cycling route, and bicycles can access the Maroon Bells at any time for no fee. The 9-mile route climbs nearly 1,600 feet.
The rugged south face of Sievers Mountain in fall, as seen from Maroon Lake
Outdoor Opportunities
The scenic area is also the starting point for the popular 11-mile hike to Crested Butte; the Four-Pass Loop (a 26-mile trail that crosses four passes over 12,000 feet); numerous opportunities for day hikes; and the trailhead to three fourteeners, all of which require mountaineering knowledge, equipment and experience to summit. Unfortunately,severe accidents are common place on the high-altitude routes of these peaks.
Wilderness Tips
Reminder: This is a wilderness area. 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.
Backpacking
Approved bear food storage containers are required for all backpackers in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness.
Advance reservation overnight permits are required if you plan to stay overnight in the the busiest areas of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness including: Conundrum Hot Springs, Capitol Lake, Crater Lake, and the Four Pass Loop (including Snowmass Lake and Geneva Lake). Permits must be purchased in advance at recreation.gov. For more information, see here.
Get the Lay of the Land
Never been to Aspen Snowmass or the Roaring Fork Valley? Get a feel for where things are with our destination overview.
