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Aspen, Colorado

Come watch nature begin to come alive this spring in Aspen. It’s Secret Season and that means fly-fishing, exploring local eateries, biking or taking long hikes all at your own pace. Take a deep breath and get ready to recharge and reconnect in Aspen. It’s Secret Season, and it’s waiting for you to explore.

Top Spots in and near Aspen

  • Aspen, Colorado

    Hike Aspen's Ute Trail

    4.7
    2 mi / 1165 ft gain
    This shady trail of switchbacks ascends steadily (over a thousand feet in under a mile) to a rock outcropping at 9,185 feet. Yes, you can expect your heart to be pounding and to be huffing and puffing as you climb Ute Trail. But the view of Aspen that rewards you is spectacular.The trail is prett...
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  • Aspen, Colorado

    McNamara Hut

    5.0
    12.46 mi / 2631 ft gain
    McNamara Hut sits in the national forest on the slope of Bald Knob, with easy access to intermediate backcountry skiing and more challenging terrain further away. Built in 1982, it's one of the original huts in the 10th Mountain Division system along with Margy's Hut. The hut comes stocked with...
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  • Aspen, Colorado

    Explore Aspen's Foliage Along Government Trail

    5.0
    10 mi / 2193 ft gain
    The Government Trail is beautiful and relaxing during spring and summer, but my favorite time to hike it is during fall because it goes through countless numbers of Aspen groves, which have turned a majestic yellow. After a moderate ascent for the first couple of miles, the trail become flat and ...
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  • Aspen, Colorado

    Hike Grottos Trail

    3.0
    1 mi / 300 ft gain
    Just nine miles east of Aspen on Highway 82, Independence Pass, are grottos. A grotto is a geological term for a cave or cavern. The Grottos near Aspen were formed by rushing water of the Roaring Fork River. There is only an elevation gain of 300 feet on the three-quarters of a mile loop making...
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  • Aspen, Colorado

    Ski the Aspen Highland Bowl

    / 782 ft gain
    Being able to ski or snowboard the Highland Bowl requires a good set of lungs and legs. Accessing the 12,382-foot peak requires taking a couple of lifts from the base of Aspen Highlands Mountain (Exhibition then Loge Peak), then some serious leg work (expect a 30-60-minute hike). Some parts of th...
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  • Aspen, Colorado

    Camp on the Backside of Buttermilk Mountain

    1.0
    4 mi / 2000 ft gain
    Park at the Buttermilk Ski Area parking lot and begin your hike up the mountain at the bottom of the Summit Express chair lift. Follow the 4x4 dirt road the entire way up Buttermilk. There are other small hiking trails that you can follow too, and with the entire mountain being a ski area, it's s...
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  • Aspen, Colorado

    Ski or Snowshoe to the Maroon Bells

    5.0
    12 mi / 1000 ft gain
    From Aspen drive down Maroon Creek Road until it comes to its winter closure located by T Lazy 7 Ranch. The Ranch offers snowmobile tours and keeps the six mile snow covered road to the Bells groomed. Most popular with cross country skiers, the snow road can also be hiked, fat biked, and skinned....
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  • Aspen, Colorado

    Camp at Silver Bell Campground

    Escape the bustle of town and head out of Aspen on Maroon Creek Road. Follow the signs to Maroon-Bells Snowmass Wilderness Area. There is a $10 entrance fee (unless you are a national parks pass cardholder) plus an additional fee to camp. Continue down the road to Silver Bell Campground. With a t...
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  • Aspen, Colorado

    Camp Difficult Campground, Aspen

    This is a great backup campground if all of Maroon Bells campgrounds are full, which in all reality is highly likely. If you're looking to beat the crowds, this is a good number campground to consider. This campground is right off the highway, 5 miles away from the town of Aspen, easy to find, an...
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  • Aspen, Colorado

    Conundrum Hot Springs via Conundrum Creek

    4.3
    16.77 mi / 2717 ft gain
    After picking up your required overnight permit, start your morning with a coffee in Aspen, then drive out 15 min to the trailhead at the end of Conundrum Creek road. The trail is a straight shot 9 miles up the valley, through expansive meadows and an always incredible view of the mountains and ...
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  • Aspen, Colorado

    Camp at Silver Queen Campground

    To start it off, head out from Aspen on Maroon Creek Road. Once you get to the park, you will either have to pay the charge at the booth or if you get there after 5pm, you can self pay at the cash box, which is $10. You'll also want to get an overnight parking pass set up which doesn't cost extra...
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  • Aspen, Colorado

    Hike the Mayfly Trail, Snowmass

    0.25 mi
    Located in Snowmass Village CO, this trail is nestled between Brush Creek and Brush Creek Road.Drive your vehicle to Clark's Market (16 Kearns rd Aspen, CO) and park in the lot facing down valley looking towards Woodbridge Condominiums. Along the edge of Clark's parking lot there will be a dirt t...
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  • Aspen, Colorado

    Weller Lake Trail

    4.0
    1.17 mi / 312 ft gain
    Weller Lake Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Aspen, Colorado.
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  • Aspen, Colorado

    Ski or Snowboard the Burnt Mountain Glades of Snowmass

    5.0
    3.5 mi
    This is part of the Aspen Snowmass Ski area so you'll have to buy a ski pass to take the lift up, or if you're up for a bigger workout, put some skins on and trek up to the top of Elk Camp. The easiest way to get there is to take the Elk Camp gondola to the Elk Camp lift. Once at the top of the l...
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  • Aspen, Colorado

    Ski the Rocky Mountain High Trail at Snowmass

    This is part of the Aspen Snowmass ski area so you'll have to buy a ski pass to take the lift up. The easiest way to get there is to take the Village Express lift to the top and once you get off turn left. You'll ski down the "blue" trail, Max Park, to Trestle and end at the Sheer Bliss lift. Tak...
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  • Aspen, Colorado

    Downhill Mountain Bike the Verde and Viking Trails at Aspen Snowmass

    3.8 mi / 1900 ft gain
    The Verde and Viking trails at Aspen Snowmass resort are long winding trails perfect for beginners and intermediates. The trails are a combination of open and forest-lined paths varying from 1 to 6 feet wide. They both do a nice job of combining large wide turns where you can keep your speed to e...
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Camping and Lodging in Aspen

East Maroon Portal Picnic Site
Maroon Creek Road

East Maroon Portal Picnic Site

Ruedi Marina Campground
Basalt, Colorado

Ruedi Marina Campground

Dearhamer Campground
Meredith, Colorado

Dearhamer Campground

Little Maud Campground
Basalt, Colorado

Little Maud Campground

Mollie B White River
Basalt, Colorado

Mollie B White River

Chapman Campground And Group
Meredith, Colorado

Chapman Campground And Group

Guides, Insights and Stories from Aspen

5 Hikes to See Fall Foliage in Aspen

5 Hikes to See Fall Foliage in Aspen

The Outbound Collective

The Ultimate Adventure Bucket List for Aspen, Colorado

The Ultimate Adventure Bucket List for Aspen, Colorado

The Outbound Collective

3 Adventures in Aspen with Beautiful Autumn Leaves

3 Adventures in Aspen with Beautiful Autumn Leaves

The Outbound Collective

Autumn Leaf Peeping below the Maroon Bells

Autumn Leaf Peeping below the Maroon Bells

John Lloyd

The Other Side of Aspen: 6 Amazing Hiking Trails

The Other Side of Aspen: 6 Amazing Hiking Trails

Mike Fennell

The Four Pass Loop (in a day)

The Four Pass Loop (in a day)

Kyle Frost