How To Avoid Crowds At The Maroon Bells

The Maroon Bells are the most photographed place in Colorado, and for good reason, they’re stunning! Two snow-striped fourteeners reflecting off a quiet lake is a sure way to grab attention.

As many great places are, though, the sight can be very crowded. If you plan to see these peaks during the summer or fall don’t expect the place to yourself.

Read on for a few ways to see the Maroon Bells without all crowds!

fullsizeoutput 18d1 — The stunning Maroon Bells in Aspen

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How To Avoid Crowds At The Maroon Bells

Arrive Early Or Late & Skip The Bus

If you arrive before 8 am or after 5 pm you can skip the bus and drive straight to the parking lot yourself. Doing so requires a reservation which can be obtained here: Maroon Bells Permits & Reservations.

This is one of the easiest ways to weed out crowds at the Maroon Bells.

However, this isn’t always an option and parking reservations are limited, but don’t worry, solutions remain!

View The Peaks From Crater Lake

My favorite way to see the Maroon Bells without the crowds is by hiking to Crater Lake. This a moderate hike for most and will quickly cut out a large number of people around you, allowing a serene view of these incredible peaks.

You’ll arrive via the bus at Maroon Lake like everyone else. But instead of stopping here or following the popular Scenic Loop Trail, head towards Crater Lake.

Watch for signs to the Maroon/Snowmass Trail to the right of Maroon Lake.

Note: The Crater Lake Trailhead isn’t clearly marked, I suggest downloading a map ahead of time, you can do so with the AllTrails app (pro version). This will ensure you’re on the right trail even if you don’t have cell service.

Hiking Crater Lake At The Maroon Bells

The hike itself is about 3.5 miles round trip with a good portion of the trail being uphill. Be warned that portions of the trail have broken rocks, watch your footing through these areas. Make sure to have good footwear and a walking stick if needed.

While the uphill portion is difficult on the lungs and legs, it requires no special gear, and luckily it’s mostly shaded! If you’re visiting from out of town allow a few days to acclimate before attempting this hike.

There’s a beautiful aspen grove on your way up and you’ll find the Maroon Bells peaking out here and there as you follow the trail.

The trail eventually levels out near the lake and offers some incredible views of the snow-striped peaks.

As your lungs begin to feel normal again, you’ll arrive at Crater Lake!

We were greeted with majestic and much less crowded views of the Maroon Bells… as well as a very cold breeze and a little bit of rain!

While we did encounter a handful of hikers on the trail, we had the lake to ourselves for about 30 minutes. I’ve been told the trail can be a bit crowded some weekends (especially holiday weekends). We did this hike on a Friday afternoon in peak summer season and only experienced minor trail traffic.

The trail does continue past the lake, the further you go, the less crowds. However, be prepared as the hike does get difficult past this point.

Overall the hike to Crater Lake and back took us about 2 hours. This is not the easiest trek, so come prepared. At the very least you’ll need the following items:

Hiking attire.
Jacket.
Hiking boots or tennis shoes with good traction.
Sun protection such as hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Plenty of water.
Snacks.

Additional Things To Know About The Maroon Bells

Maroon Bells Shuttle

The Maroon Bells Shuttle is in service roughly May – October. The shuttle runs about every 15 minutes from 8 am – 5 pm during this time. Reservations are required and should be booked in advance, you can do so here: Maroon Bells Shuttle Reservations.

The shuttle is $16 / adult and takes about 20 – 30 minutes each direction. The driver will point out geological features, wildlife (we saw a moose!), and tell you about the area’s history.

Getting To The Maroon Bells

From downtown Aspen take the free Castle/Maroon bus to Aspen Highlands from the Rubey Park Transit Center. The bus system is extremely convenient and easy to use so I recommend this route.

You can also park your car at the Aspen Highlands parking structure for a fee.

From here you board the Maroon Bells Shuttle.

Can You Day Trip To The Maroon Bells From Denver?

I don’t recommend it. There’s 200 miles between Denver and the Maroon Bells which takes about 4 hours each direction. It’s best to spend a night in the area. Aspen is the nearest town or if you’re looking for budget friendly options check out Glenwood Springs or Carbondale.

Purple and white wildflower on hiking trail. Columbine flower, hiking Maroon Bells, Aspen, Colorado.

Can You Visit The Maroon Bells In Winter?

The road to the Maroon Bells is closed to vehicles in winter months.

To see them this time of year requires cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling the 12.5 mile road each way. I recommend booking a snowmobiling tour through T-Lazy-7 Ranch, they offer an incredible tour that will ensure you’re seeing the Maroon Bells completely crowd-free!

While the Maroon Bells are one of the most popular spots in Colorado, and therefore very crowded, there are ways to see them with less people around. I hope you’ve found this information helpful in planning your trip, happy vacationing!

Looking for more ideas? Below are additional Aspen and Colorado guides or head on over to Visit Aspen!

How To Avoid Crowds At The Maroon Bells