The Maroon Bells bus departs from the Aspen Highlands Visitor Center, where parking is available for a fee on weekdays ($10 for 0-3 hours, $15 for 3-8 hours, $25 for 8+ hours). It was first implemented last year to reduce crowds because of the pandemic. Site Maroon Bells Amphitheater , Loop Maroon Bells Amphitheatre, Type Group Standard Area Nonelectric. If the Highlands Parking Lot is full, alternative parking is available in the City of Aspens parking garage at 427 Rio Grande Pl, Aspen, CO 81611. Catch the free RFTA shuttle from Ruby Park in downtown Aspen to Aspen Highlands. Maroon Bells reservations are released on a rolling basis: March 1, 2023 Reservations for May & June available Vehicle access begins May 15 through October 31, 2023 and the RFTA shuttle system from Aspen Highlands begins May 26 and will run through October 22, 2023. Catch the free RFTA shuttle from Ruby Park Transit center in downtown Aspen to Aspen Highlands. The permit allows the permit holder (and group) to camp in the Overnight Permit Zone they select within the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. The hotline will be updated daily by Forest Service staff to providethe most current information so you know what to expect and can make the best decisions for your personal travel itineraries. Starting June 28, visitors will be required to use the RFTA shuttle service between the hours of 8 a.m . You will need to make an online reservation with the Aspen Chamber of Commerce. Dogs are permitted on the RFTA shuttle bus from Aspen Highlands to the Maroon Bells. There are no vending machines or restaurants at the Bells so be sure to bring what you need. 82 to the roundabout on the west edge of town, choose the exit for Maroon Creek Road and keep going about 4.7 miles until you reach a welcome station. Passes will be available for pickup at the welcome station five days prior to your event. The bus stop is just one block east from the Tyrolean Lodge. Make sure to plan ahead and know before you go! These special requests need to be made at least two weeks prior to the day you would like to visit, for a minimum of 15 people, and there are no guarantees of availability. Once you begin the booking process with us, you will be sent a detailed logistics email to help you put everything together and smooth out your whole trip. Limited automobile access with a reservation begins June 8 and the RFTA Shuttles begin June 28. Warner said more than 50% of the people who made reservations during the first few hours are from Colorado. Nestled on the banks of Maroon Creek at 8,460 feet, Silver Bell Campground has 14 tent sites and boasts gorgeous panoramas of aspen groves, wildflower meadows and towering spruce and fir forests in the White River National Forest. Is there cell phone service available at Maroon Bells? However, it is important to be cautious of cars and buses while riding. The Buttermilk lot will provide overflow parking for the fee of $6 per day. Learn more about Maroon Bells reservations >>. There are a lot of ways to enjoy this secluded, yet crowded slice of paradise. To opt-out click for more information. When bringing your dog to the Maroon Bells, it is important to keep them on a leash at all times. An influx of e-bikes on Maroon Creek Road over the past couple of years is prompting Pitkin County officials to look at a fee and reservation system for all bicyclists who ride to and from the Maroon Bells. Each individual must have a reservation in order to load the Maroon Bell Shuttle at the Aspen Highlands parking lot loading zone. 1:05 pm Officials said they were expecting that many people, but the site still crashed because of the overload. Only passengers with reservations will be allowed to load the buses at their reserved time slot. Local Bus Charter Service. You will need to make an, Maroon Creek Road typically opens mid-May and closes mid-November, depending on conditions (snow melt, avalanche debris, etc.). PRICE: SHUTTLE RESERVATIONSADULTS - $16.00YOUTH (under 12) - $12.00SENIORS (over 65) - $12.00. How to travel to Aspen Highlands by bus to catch the Maroon Bells shuttle. As a visitor to the area, its up to you to help protect this amazing place, and we know that you will! Pro tip: As you gain altitude, spontaneous thunderstorms and hail are common for mountain regions, especially in the afternoons. Wildlife can often be seen along the trails and at the end of your hike, wave down the bus for a lift back to Aspen Highlands. When entering the Maroon Bells Scenic Area, pass holders must have a valid pass ready to present and keep their pass displayed in their car. Photo credit: Aubrey Beth Photography All bikes are encouraged and expected to adhere to proper bicycling etiquette, including riding single file on the right side of the road (in the direction of traffic) and to wear helmets. Posted at 6:41 AM, Mar 30, 2021 and last updated 8:31 AM, Mar 30, 2021 Visitors coming from the Aspen side of Maroon Bells will once again need reservations to get to the scenic area this season. The RFTA shuttle service runs between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. from late May through late October at a fare of $16 per adult and $10 for children under 12 and seniors. Between Aspen and the Maroon Bells, you are primarily required to ride the RFTA Bus from Aspen Highlands and the Maroon Bells. and reservations. Click here to reserve the East Maroon Portal Picnic site. 4:00 pm We also use analytics & advertising services. The permit holder must reserve a zone for each night of their trip. This is the second year Maroon Bells Scenic Area will have a reservation system in place. This 3.2-mile one-way trail is an excellent place to spot wildlife such as mule deer, red fox, bighorn sheep, porcupines and a variety of birds. At the outlet of Maroon Lake, you can enjoy a hike winding downstream along Maroon Creek through rocky slopes and mountain meadows and aspen forests. Up to a mile out and back.. Please seal and store food in a container inside a vehicle or in bear boxes provided at the campsite. "The scenic beauty of Maroon Bells is what brings people there," Warner said. Pass holders are able to use their passes at the Maroon Bells. We provide tools and tips to discover Formed over 300 million years ago through a process of sedimentation, uplift, and erosion, the Maroon Bells boast a range of diverse and stunning natural habitats, including fields of colorful wildflowers, groves of Aspen trees, and alpine tundra at the top of the mountains. Reservations can be made online on at www.aspenchamber.org starting June 2. 2:10 pm 12:05 pm The camping permit system, and the regulations, are in place to help protect this unique Wilderness treasure. The shuttle runs every 15 minutes from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Maroon Bells shuttle check-in and departures are at Aspen Highlands. Pitkin County commissioners are scheduled to hear Tuesday about four proposed plans to regulate . You can purchase your bus ticket for the Maroon Bells shuttle at Four Mountains Sports, located near the parking area at the base of the ski mountain. ASPEN, Colo. After 3,000 logged on to the Maroon Bells reservation system on Monday, there is no doubt that the famous peaks in the Elk Mountains remain one of the most iconic destinations in Colorado. All or part of this operation is conducted on Public Lands under special permit from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. March 1, 2023 Reservation for May and June available Other options for access to the site include parking at Aspen Highlands Ski Area and riding the shuttle bus. For more information on the reservation system, contact RFTA communications manager Jamie Tatsuno at 970-384-4864 [email protected] or the Maroon Bells Information Line at 970-945-3319. [email protected]. To access Maroon Bells, a shuttle service is provided from the Maroon Bells Basecamp (Aspen Highlands Plaza). A $0.65 Forest Service recreation fee is part of the RFTA bus fee. Anchored by a stunning reflective lake, Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak tower over the area, creating an oasis of natural wonder that captivates visitors of this unique destination year-round. Receptions are not allowed at this location, but can be held at the East Maroon Portal Picnic site, approximately a four mile drive. Driving Directions to the Bells Take 82 west about one mile to the roundabout, then take the second exit onto Maroon Creek Road. If you cannot find availability for your group size, and you have more than 15 people, please email, The Maroon Bells operating season is done under cooperative agreement and partnership with. If you are planning an event during these times, please call the Colorado Department of Transportation Hotline for road updates at (877) 315-7623. Paid parking at Aspen Highlands: $7 per hour, with a maximum of $40 per day. Please include a phone number to be called back on. Follow this short, easy trail from the bus stop or parking lot up to the lake and meadow. Reservations are not accepted for Fridays and Saturdays in June, July and August; Reservations are not accepted for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in September and October. Rent a road bike, cruiser or e-bike from. Summary : We pick up and drive your vehicle between the towns of Crested Butte and Aspen in either direction, typically while you are hiking or biking between those locations. In order for the coordinator to contact you must leave a full name, phone number, email address. Aspen, CO 81611, Local Phone: 970.925.1940Toll-Free Phone: 877.702.7736Email: [emailprotected], Parking at Ticket Office / Shuttle Pick Up Area, Transportation beyond regular shuttle hours, Round-trip shuttle transportation from Aspen Highlands to Maroon Bells scenic area, One-way downhill only shuttle from Maroon Bells scenic area to Aspen Highlands, Midnight to Midnight Parking Reservations, Large groups may need to make two reservations and split your party between two shuttle times. There are no toilets so nows the time to brush up on backcountry bathroom etiquette. Aspen Ranger Station806 W Hallam Street Aspen CO 81611, For campground inquiries, please call: 970-963-2266; [email protected], Learn more about gear rental options for your trip. HOW TO VISIT THE MAROON BELLS WITHOUT A RESERVATION CHECK THE RESERVATION SITE FREQUENTLY While reservations may be sold out now, capacity restrictions are changing often. Parking at Aspen Highlands is a separate charge. 11:45 am Getting to Aspen Highlands To go to the Bells between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., either drive to Aspen Highlands parking lot or catch the RFTA CM-Castle/Maroon bus from Main Street. The reservations includes park entry, bus ride, and depending . Arrangements for a taxi to meet you at Schodfield Park can be made by calling the Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce. Downtown Aspen by Bus Ride the bus from Ruby Park Transit Center in Aspen to Aspen Highlands, then check in for the Maroon Bells bus. If you cancel within 48 hours or do not show up, you will not be eligible for a refund. Reservations are required to access the Maroon Bells Scenic Area and related amenities. We have been in operation since 2012 and help you simplify the logistics if you read through all of our information. It's about a 7-minute walk from the parking lot to the bus stop Vehicles can park at the Aspen Highlands Village Parking Lot for an additional parking fee. During the off season, cars are permitted as weather allows until the winter closure. A shuttle bus brings people . Beginning May 27, visitors must use the RFTA shuttle service between 8am and 5pm. 2:30 pm Maroon Bells shuttle bus reservations will only be able to be made online this year. For more information on parking at Aspen Highlands, contact the Aspen Skiing Company at (970) 923-1227 or (800) 525-6200. . Return tickets and reservations are not available at the Maroon Bells Scenic Area and there is no cellphone service to connect to the reservation system there. The shuttle fare is $16 with discounts . Recreation.gov! If you cancel inside of 48 hours or do not show up, you will not be refunded. We encourage tickets to be purchased in advance. Stay in the know, sign up for ourMonthly Newsletter& keep up-to-date on Aspen events, activities, lodging deals and more. 1:35 pm Reservations are not required for the Aspen Highlands parking garage. The Maroon Bells near Aspen, Colorado, offer several hikes and some of the most beautiful scenery in the Rocky Mountains. The buses run about every 15 minutes and the last bus down is 5:00 p.m., so dont miss it! Snowmobile tours from T Lazy Seven Ranch are also available. People can book a reservation on the Aspen Chamber Resort Association website. If you wish to reschedule within 48 hours, you will need to rebook at the full price. The RFTA shuttle service runs fromMay 26 through October 22, 2023. To cancel or reschedule online, you can use the link provided in your confirmation email. Is it allowed to bring my dog on the shuttle bus to the Maroon Bells? 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