The Best Tips for Visiting the Maroon Bells

Since moving to Colorado, we have created a pretty in depth list of things that we want to see and do while living here! We adore all things outdoors from hiking to skiing to scuba diving and so many other things in between. As we were creating our Colorado Bucket List we knew we wanted to visit the Maroon Bells because of their grand beauty and because we had heard such phenomenal things about the town of Aspen. We decided that we wanted to visit the Maroon Bells in September because of the brisk temperature, not being overly crowded, and hopefully to see some fall foliage as the Aspen trees begin to change color for fall. Below you’ll find some helpful information on the best time to visit the Maroon Bells, how long it takes to get there, things to do, and so on. Enjoy!

When is the best time to visit the Maroon Bells?

Reservations are required to visit the Maroon Bells during peak season, which is from May to October. You can book your reservations here. It’s important to note that access to visit the Bells is only available by vehicle from mid-May through late October due to weather conditions. For 2022, you will have access to visit the Maroon Bells from May 15th through October 31st. 

In our opinion, the best time to visit the Maroon Bells is from mid-September to mid-October so that you can catch the Aspen trees foliage starting to change! 

How do you get to the Maroon Bells?

The Maroon Bells are a few miles outside of downtown Aspen. If you are coming from the Denver area, it will likely take you about 3 and a half hours to get to Aspen. The drive is long but the views along the way are scenic as you pass through winding roads and see countless mountainous landscapes. 

During peak season, there are some very limited reservations to drive your own vehicle to the trailhead, but the most common method to get to the Maroon Bells is by bus. Aspen runs a very convenient shuttle to and from the trailhead. Both of these reservations require a bit of planning ahead of time because the reservations sell out fast. 

If you are unable to reserve a vehicle entry pass, you will have to park in the paid parking section at the Aspen Highlands and hop on the shuttle bus from there! The shuttle bus takes about 20 minutes. It costs $16 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $10 for children under the age of 12. 

Additionally, they have started renting eBikes to ride up to the Maroon Bells. Be ready for a workout though as it’s an 8-mile ride up while climbing about 1,600 feet. At least the ride back will be a breeze!

What can you do at the Maroon Bells?

There are several options that you can choose from when visiting the Maroon Bells. You can simply come and look at the Bells from a distance or you can do one of the many hikes offered around the area.

We did the Maroon Lake Scenic Trail which is about 2 miles long and takes you around the lake and gives you various views of the Maroon Bells in the background. Additionally, you can do the Crater Lake Trail which is about 4 miles in length and gives you a different glance at the Maroon Bells as well as the beautiful Crater Lake. 

Also, there are a handful of longer hikes that you can participate in including the Crested Butte hike and the Four-Pass Loop. Many of these longer hikes are multi-day, require special equipment, and can be dangerous so make sure you are well prepared. 

Are dogs allowed at the Maroon Bells?

Dogs are allowed on the RFTA shuttle and on most of the trails. However, they are not allowed on the Scenic Loop trail due to potentially dangerous wildlife encounters. If you want to bring your pup, we’d recommend the Crater Lake hike! Dogs must remain on their leash and remember to pick up their waste!

Is it worth visiting the Maroon Bells?

We highly recommend that you visit the Maroon Bells if you have not done so! The mountains are truly a beautiful site to see and the smaller scenic trails are easy to navigate with many scenic views. 

Pro Tip: Afterwards, we recommend that you grab a bite to eat in downtown Aspen or even take a ride on the gondola to enjoy the rest of your time in the town! We ate at the White House Tavern and loved our chicken sandwich.

We hope you enjoyed this post and that it inspires your next Aspen adventure! Happy Exploring!