Photographs in this post c/o Michael Underwood Photography. All rights reserved.
The Maroon Bells are the most photographed mountains in America — and for good reason!
Located near Aspen, Colorado, in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, the magnificent Maroon Bells should be on every adventurer and photographer’s bucket list.
When is the best time to visit Maroon Bells?
The best time to visit Maroon Bells is May-October, when the road is open and free of snow and the water in the lake is unfrozen to reveal the beautiful reflection of Maroon Bells in the water.
The best time of all to visit is in late September, when the aspens are in their full golden glow.
The exact peak date varies every year, depending on the weather. We visited on September 28 and the aspens were pretty much perfect.
Parking permits for Maroon Bells in 2021
Parking permits are required to visit the Maroon Bells between May and October, 2021. You can purchase permits up to 3 months ahead of time on the Aspen Chamber of Commerce website.
Permits for 2021 will be available sometime this spring, so keep checking back if you plan to visit in May!
I’ll keep checking the website, too, and update when 2021 permits are released. If 2020 is any indication, those permits go fast.
Instagram vs. Reality: Maroon Bells gets insanely crowded for sunrise. But it’s worth it! You don’t have to hike far to avoid the crowds.
@bonjourbecky still 100% worth it!! #colorado #maroonbells #aspen #hiking
♬ Chaotic Life audio – ☘️ Chris Carter ☘️
Where to stay near Maroon Bells: Camping and lodging near Aspen
There are three campgrounds close to the Maroon Bells:
• Difficult Campground
• Silver Bell Campground
• Silver Queen Campground
All three require reservations made up to 3 months in advance, and are near-impossible to snag.
We managed to secure a last-minute weekday cancellation for Difficult Campground, so they do pop up sometimes! Keep checking back and you might get lucky.
If you aren’t lucky enough to grab one of those reserved sites, you can still access dispersed camping at Lincoln Creek (22 sites, first-come first-served, about an hour away) or farther away at sites near Independence Pass. Check freecampsites.net and iOverlander for more options.
Not into camping? Aspen has a wide array of hotels and Airbnbs. (Warning: they can get pretty pricey.)
Hiking at Maroon Bells
Maroon Bells is the trailhead for several bucket list adventures in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, including the iconic Four Pass Loop.
For an easy, scenic day hike, hike the 4 miles round trip to Crater Lake on the Maroon-Snowmass Trail:
Tips for photographing the Maroon Bells at sunrise
• Get there early to scope out a tripod spot. It’s always crowded, with most of the best spots taken while it’s still dark.
• Keep going down past the main viewing area with the benches onto the Scenic Trail for a different angle. If water levels in the lake are low, this can be a better view than the main viewing area — but most people don’t know to keep walking.
• If you can’t get there early, you can bring a ladder like one photographer did when we visited.
Questions about visiting the Maroon Bells for sunrise? Let me know below!
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