Visiting the Maroon Bells usually means a reservation

The Maroon Bells, just outside Aspen, are one of the most visited spots in the White River National Forest. Because so many people come, getting there is not always as simple as driving up and parking.

In the busy season, day-use access to the Maroon Bells Scenic Area is managed. That can mean reserving a parking spot or riding a shuttle during set hours instead of driving your own car all the way in. The point is to protect the place and keep the road and lots from overflowing. The exact dates, hours, and how to book change from year to year, so this is something to check fresh each season rather than assume.

If your plan is an overnight trip into the surrounding Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, that is a separate system. The busiest areas — places like the Four Pass Loop, Conundrum Hot Springs, and several backcountry lakes — require overnight permits reserved ahead of time. Day hiking and overnight camping are not the same booking.

None of this is meant to keep people out. It is how a heavily used place stays open and intact. Planning ahead simply makes the day go smoothly.

Before a trip, check the White River National Forest’s Maroon Bells pages for current day-use access, and look up overnight wilderness permits through the official reservation system.