Maroon Bells

"Due to the popularity of the Maroon Bells, cars are not allowed up there. You can park your car at the Aspen Highlands Village (or take the FREE bus) and a shuttle will take you. It is a 30 minute shuttle ride from the Village to Maroon Bells. Make reservations in advance. Spots fill up quickly on the weekends. Arrive at the Aspen Highlands Village 45 minutes early to pick up your tickets. If you miss your timed ticket, you won’t be able to take the another bus. You can take any bus back from Maroon Bells. There are restrooms and shops at the Village. You will need a parking reservation from May 15 - October 31. There is also a RFTA bus that will take you from Downtown Aspen for FREE. You’ll get off at the Aspen Highland stop. Adults: $16 // Kids $12 // Parking Reservation $10 + $7 per hour with a $40 daily maximum. Hiking is not required to see the Maroon Bells. So if you are unable to hike or have small children, you can take photos just a few minutes walk from where the bus drops you off. If you do choose to hike, there are multiple trails to choose from. Whatever you choose, be ready to take the bus down at 4:00 PM, or you risk missing a ride down. If you plan to spend multiple days in the backcountry, your return ticket will still be valid. Maroon Lake Scenic Trail is 1.3 miles one-way and an easy hike. Bring layers. The weather can change quickly in the mountains. Good hiking shoes are a must if you plan to hit the trails. If you visit in May or early June, there will likely still be snow on the trails. This can block access to some of the more difficult trails. July through September is the best time to visit. Planning on camping? Make sure to bear-proof your food as there are a high number of black bears in the area."

"Maroon Bells is arguably the most photographed mountain range in the world, and it is no question why. This hike requires a permit and reservation to visit, information is available at https://aspenchamber.org/plan-trip/trip-highlights/maroon-bells/reservations."

"This is a challenging hike, but if you have some experience and are up for a challenge, the Maroon Bells are incredible to see!"