• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Uncover Colorado Logo

  • Blog
  • Activities
    • Year-round
      • Brewery Tours
      • Casinos & Gaming
      • Colorado Brands
      • Federal Lands
      • Food & Dining
      • Ghost Towns
      • Gondola & Chairlifts
      • Hot Springs
      • Mine Tours
      • Museums
      • Paintball
      • Public Parks
      • Scenic Drives
      • Shopping
      • Sports Teams
      • State Parks
      • Train Rides
      • Transportation
      • Wildlife
      • Zip Lines & Aerial Parks
    • Spring, Summer & Fall
      • Amusement Parks
      • ATV Rentals
      • Biking
      • Boating
      • Camping
      • Drive-In Theaters
      • Fishing
      • Golf Courses
      • Hiking
      • Horseback Riding
      • Rock Climbing
      • Tubing & Paddling
      • Waterfalls
      • Whitewater Rafting
    • Winter
      • Cross Country Skiing
      • Dog Sledding
      • Ice Climbing
      • Ice Fishing
      • Ice Skating
      • Skiing & Snowboarding
      • Sleigh Rides
      • Snow Tubing
      • Snowmobiling
      • Snowshoeing
  • Events
    • January
    • February
    • March
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • July
    • August
    • September
    • October
    • November
    • December
  • Lodging
    • Budget Hotels
    • Historic Hotels
    • Luxury Hotels
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    • Cabins & Glamping
    • Casinos with Lodging
    • Dude Ranches
    • Hot Spring with Lodging
    • Wineries with Lodging
    • Campgrounds
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
  • Search
  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Lodging
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
Maroon Bells
Maroon Bells in Aspen.

Maroon Bells Scenic Area – Aspen

12
SHARES
FacebookTwitter

The Maroon Bells are a fascinating set of 14,000-foot peaks that reflect off of Maroon Lake. It’s one of the most photographed alpine scenes in the country, and rightfully so. There are a lot of ways to enjoy this secluded, yet crowded slice of paradise.

Most people access Maroon Bells Scenic Area via bus from Aspen Highlands Resort, only a few miles before the entrance station. The bus runs from 8 am to 5 pm and during the summer months, it is the only way to access the area unless you hike or bike in.

Fishing is common on Maroon Lake and makes a great activity to do while you camp in the area. Both day and multi-day hikes are also popular in the surrounding wilderness. Make sure you visit this Aspen bucket list item.

Activities at Maroon Bells

Autumn colors at the Silver Queen Campground near Maroon Bells.
Beautiful aspen trees during autumn at the Silver Queen campground, near Maroon Bells. Photo by: Tony Webster

Camping – There are three campgrounds on Maroon Creek Rd inside the gates to the scenic area. Reservations for campsites are available from Memorial Day weekend through early October. There are entrance fees for each car in addition to campsite fees.

  • Silver Bar – This small primitive campground is adjacent to the entrance station. It has 4 tent-only, walk-in sites, with one accessible site near the vault toilets. The grounds sit right next to a babbling stream.
  • Silver Bell – Each of the 14 sites includes a storage box, fire pit, picnic table, and vault toilet. There are 2 RV sites, 6 tent-only, and 6 walk-in tent sites available for reservation.
  • Silver Queen – This beautiful site has views of the nearby Pyramid Peak, and is an easy walk to Maroon Creek. There are 6 non-electrical sites that can accommodate RVs, tents, or trailers.

There is no dispersed camping at Maroon Bells. Backcountry camping is permitted in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness.โ€‹

Fishing –

  • The high elevation Maroon Lake is a prime spot for trout fishing, especially during sunrise and sunset. It is an easy walk from the parking lot.
  • Crater Lake also has good trout fishing, but it’s a 4-mile round-trip hike into White River National Forest. The trail is rated as moderately difficult and winds through gorgeous aspen groves before arriving at the alpine lake.
Maroon Bells Scenic Area
Jagged peaks at Maroon Bells.

Hiking –

  • Four Pass Loop is a very popular backpacking route, totaling just under 26 miles. There are multiple river crossings, rocky areas, and some snow, so be sure to bring trekking poles and waterproof shoes.
  • The Scenic Loop trail is 1.9 miles and passes by the most popular spot for photographing the area. It is considered an easy hike. Dogs are not allowed in order to protect the habitat of local moose.
  • Maroon Creek trail is just under 7 miles out-and-back and winds through open valleys and past the clear waters of Maroon Creek. Visitors say it is not very crowded and is a peaceful place for hiking, trail running, and even horseback riding.
  • Crater Lake trail is 3.6 miles round-trip to a pristine alpine lake, popular with fishermen. Hike this trail in the autumn months to catch a glimpse of the beautiful yellow aspen groves.

Picnicking – Tables are available at Maroon Lake and the East Maroon Portal. There are also plenty of scenic places to set up a picnic if you don’t mind laying a blanket out and sitting on the ground.

Winter Recreation – Maroon Creek Rd has limited access in the winter depending on snow. It does not get plowed past the T-Lazy-7 Ranch, but the ranch offers snowmobile tours if you still want to explore the area. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are also popular.

Find more nearby recreation in the White River National Forest. It’s full of hidden treasures and places to enhance your Aspen vacation.

Getting There

Maroon Bells Parking
Parking for Maroon Bells.

From Aspen, take Hwy 82 west to Maroon Creek Rd and follow it back about 10 minutes to the welcome station. From late May to early October between 8 am and 5 pm, a public bus is the only way to access the Maroon Bells Scenic Area. The bus station picks up at Aspen Highlands, two miles up Maroon Creek Rd on the left side. The bus requires a reservation, as does the parking lot at Aspen Highlands.

The Aspen Chamber has parking and bus info if you have more questions about accessing the scenic area.ย The road is open to non-motorized vehicles at no charge, so you can bike up the road for free anytime you like. It’s a 12-mile hike in the winter from the entrance station. Private cars are welcome to access the road before 8 am (a reservation is still needed), however, the limited parking at the lake is usually filled up by photographers and early morning hikers.

Walk-in tent site at Silver Bell.
Autumn colors.
Sunset over the mountain.
Aspens.
Maroon Creek.
Fishing line in the photo.
Sunset over Maroon Lake.
More walk-in tent sites at Silver Bell.
RV spot at Silver Bell.
Maroon Bells Scenic Area.

Details

Address: Maroon Creek Rd, Aspen, CO 81611

Phone: 970-945-2521

Season: Year-round

Hours: Maroon Creek Rd is open to motorized vehicles from May 15 through October 31, 24 hours a day for a fee. Driving is restricted from 8 am – 5 pm. The only way in is on a pet-friendly shuttle from Aspen Highlands, which operates from 8 am – 5 pm daily and requires an advance reservation.

Pets: Yes, on-leash

Fees: Yes, entrance fee during the summer as well as a shuttle fee

Elevation of Maroon Bells: 14,163 feet (4,317 meters)

Map: Maroon Bells Guide (PDF)

Campground Reservations:

  • Silver Bar
  • Silver Bell
  • Silver Queen

Website: fs.usda.gov/…

Latest in Maroon Bells

Mount Crested Butte Summer Sunset Colorado Wildflower

Best Places to Catch a Colorado Sunset

If you’re reading this, you probably already know that Colorado is an ideal place to watch…

Best Places to Catch a Colorado SunsetRead More

Colorado Trail Hiking in La Garita Mountains

15 Best Hiking Trails in Colorado

The Centennial State is home to some of the best hiking trails in the world, from…

15 Best Hiking Trails in ColoradoRead More

Red Rocks Amphitheater, CO

12 of Colorado’s Most Beautiful Places

Blessed with a large mass of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado is home to some of the…

12 of Colorado’s Most Beautiful PlacesRead More

Natural Wonders Colorado Garden of the Gods Red Rocks

Exploring the 9 Natural Wonders of Colorado

If youโ€™ve never been to Colorado, you are missing out on some of the most gorgeous,…

Exploring the 9 Natural Wonders of ColoradoRead More

View more Maroon Bells articles

Primary Sidebar

Join our Colorado travel community

Enter your email below and grab our free locals' guide and monthly what's up designed to help you live your Colorado life and uncover fun things to do. โ€”and never miss out again.

Recent Posts

  • Fly Directly to these Colorado Ski Resorts with Airports Nearby
  • Things to do in February in Colorado
  • 15 Summer County Fairs in Colorado
  • 20 Cool Colorado Winter Activities To Try
  • 5 Reasons to Visit Mesa Verde this Winter

Footer

Get In Touch

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Resources
  • Disclaimer
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter

Disclosure: Uncover Colorado is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Things To Do

  • Travel Blog
  • Colorado Activities
  • Colorado Events
  • Colorado Towns
  • Colorado Hotels
  • Colorado Restaurants
  • Colorado Transportation
  • Made in Colorado

Cheers! Mile High Happy Hour shares showcases Denver neighborhoods' restaurant happy hours.

Winter Activities

  • Federal Lands
  • Ghost Towns
  • Hot Springs
  • Ice Skating
  • Ski Resorts
  • Snow Tubing
  • State Parks
  • Train Rides

Copyright © 2023 ยท Uncover Colorado | Sitemap | Advertise