Maroon Bells campgrounds (Silver Bar, Silver Bell, Silver Queen)

Creekside sites on the road to the Maroon Bells.

Three small Forest Service campgrounds line Maroon Creek Road about five miles from Aspen at 8,460 feet, the only campgrounds in the Maroon Bells Scenic Area. A campsite reservation lets you drive to Maroon Lake without the shuttle or parking reservation that day visitors need. With 23 sites, a five-day stay limit and no water in 2026, they suit tent campers and small rigs who plan ahead.

At a glance

Sites

23: Silver Bar 4 (walk-in tent), Silver Bell 14, Silver Queen 5

First-come

10 sites at Silver Bell; check in at the welcome station

Facilities

Vault toilets, bear boxes; no hookups, no water in 2026

Max vehicle

30 ft

Stay limit

5 days

Nightly

$15 + $10 car pass

What’s here

• Tent sites
• Lake or riverfront
• Pets allowed
• Backcountry

Gear, rentals and guides

• Aspen Expeditions

  Mountain guides for hiking, rock and alpine climbing in the Elk Mountains.

• Ute Mountaineer

  Aspen’s outdoor shop, with summer gear rentals.

• Visit Maroon Bells

  Shuttle and parking reservations for day trips to Maroon Lake; the bus leaves from Aspen Highlands.

Events

“Usually” means the date follows past years. Confirm before you go.

• MusicJune 30–Aug 22, 2027

  Aspen Music Festival and School

  Summer-long classical music festival with concerts most days around Aspen.

Where to stay

• lodgeMountain Chalet Aspen

  Long-running, more affordable lodge in downtown Aspen.

  15 min drive
• hotelLimelight Hotel Aspen

  Central Aspen hotel steps from the Silver Queen Gondola.

  15 min drive
• hotelHotel Jerome

  Aspen’s historic 1889 hotel on Main Street.

  15 min drive

Nearby

• Maroon Lake and Crater Lake · 10 min drive

  An easy stroll around Maroon Lake, or about 3.6 miles round trip to Crater Lake below the Bells.

• Four Pass Loop · 10 min drive

  Classic multi-day backpacking loop over four 12,000-foot passes; overnight permits required.

• Independence Pass · 40 min drive

  High scenic drive over the Continental Divide east of Aspen, usually open Memorial Day to mid-October.

Getting there

• Aspen/Pitkin County (ASE) · about 20 min drive
• Denver · about 4 hr
• Glenwood Springs · about 1 hr

Directions in Google Maps