Maroon Bells and Canada geese on Maroon Lake at sunrise near Aspen, Colorado

Maroon Bells 101: All You Need To Know

From taking striking photos to setting out on some of the most incredible backcountry hiking and backpacking trails, the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is worth visiting while at Aspen Snowmass this summer. But, there are several factors to consider when planning your trip.

Learn about parking, permits, and wilderness operating hours.

By Christine Benedetti, Updated March 2024

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.

Reserve

Parking & Fees

The Maroon Bells bus departs from the Aspen Highlands Visitor Center. Parking is available, but limited, from the center. Parking is $7/hour with $40 maximum for 24 hours. A free bus also runs from Aspen to Aspen Highlands, labeled the Castle/Maroon bus. It leaves every 20 minutes on the hour. Private vehicles can drive up to the Bells before 8am and after 5pm. As mentioned above, parking reservations ($10) are required to use the road. These can be made directly via the Aspen Resort Chamber Association's website.

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.

Learn more

The rugged south face of Sievers Mountain in fall, as seen from Maroon Lake

Outdoor Opportunities

Maroon Lake sits in the natural amphitheater below the towering 14,000-foot Maroon Bells. There is a 1.7-mile nature loop that goes around the lake. Another popular hike is the 1.8-mile hike (3.6 miles roundtrip) to Crater Lake. Both of the these trails are heavily trafficked.

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.

Maroon Bells Trailheads & Trail Lengths

Maroon Lake Trailhead

Starting Point: Maroon Lake

Popular Trails:

Maroon Lake Scenic Trail (Easy, ~1 mile): A short, accessible hike along the lake with breathtaking views of the Maroon Bells.
Crater Lake Trail (Moderate, ~3.5 miles round-trip): A rocky trail leading to Crater Lake, offering closer views of the Bells.

West Maroon Trailhead

Starting Point: Maroon Lake

Popular Trails:

West Maroon Pass Trail (Difficult, ~13 miles round-trip): A challenging hike over West Maroon Pass, connecting to Crested Butte. Known for wildflowers in summer.
Buckskin Pass Trail (Difficult, ~9 miles round-trip): Ascend through alpine meadows to a stunning pass with panoramic views.

East Maroon Trailhead

Starting Point: Maroon Creek Road (near East Maroon Portal)

Popular Trail:

East Maroon Pass Trail (Difficult, ~20 miles round-trip): A long hike to East Maroon Pass, offering serene wilderness and fewer crowds.

Snowmass Trailhead

Starting Point: Near Snowmass Village

Popular Trail:

Four Pass Loop (Very Difficult, ~28 miles loop): A challenging multi-day hike covering West Maroon, Frigid Air, Trail Rider, and Buckskin Passes, with stunning vistas of the Elk Mountains.

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.