Maroon Bells reservations are released on a rolling basis:
March 1, 2023 – Reservations for May & June available
April 1, 2023 – Reservations for July & August available
May 1, 2023 – Reservations for September & October available
The hotline will be updated daily by Forest Service staff to provide the most current information so you know what to expect and can make the best decisions for your personal travel itineraries.
Reservations will be required again to visit Maroon Bells by personal vehicle or shuttle. Each individual must have a reservation in order to load the Maroon Bell Shuttle at the Aspen Highlands parking lot loading zone. Reservations for the season may be made by visiting www.aspenchamber.org.
Maroon Bells reservations are released on a rolling basis:
March 1, 2023 – Reservations for May & June available
April 1, 2023 – Reservations for July & August available
May 1, 2023 – Reservations for September & October available
The Maroon Bells Shuttles will operate from May 26 through October 22, 2023.
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. Find out how to travel to Aspen Highlands by RFTA bus to catch the Maroon Bells Shuttle here.
One-way downhill tickets will be required from the Maroon Bells Scenic Area to Aspen Highlands. We encourage tickets to be purchased in advance. The downhill ticket reservations allow RFTA to anticipate how much space will be needed each day for one-way downhill passengers hiking over from Crested Butte or other locations.
If limited no-show tickets are available the day of, prices will be higher. We encourage you to purchase reservations in advance.
When buses are not in operation, vehicle reservations are required to access the Maroon Bells Scenic Area.
For groups of 15 or more, please email info@visitmaroonbells.com to see if you can be accommodated on a shuttle. 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. Please include a phone number to be called back on.
Catch the free RFTA shuttle from Ruby Park Transit center in downtown Aspen to Aspen Highlands. Parking at Aspen Highlands is $5 per hour.
If the Highlands Parking Lot is full, alternative parking is available in the City of Aspen’s parking garage at 427 Rio Grande Pl, Aspen, CO 81611. For more information, contact the Aspen Chamber at 970-920-5430.
All buses depart from Aspen Highlands Ski Area. Continuous bus service starts at 8:05 am, the last bus departs to the Maroon Bells at 4:30pm and returns to Highlands from the Maroon Bells at 5:00pm. Parking is available at Aspen Highlands or you can take the free Castle Maroon Bus from Rubey Park Transit Center to reach Aspen Highlands.
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Driving access with a parking reservation begins June 8 and RFTA Shuttle rides with a reservation begin June 28.
A reservation system will help provide efficient visitor transportation that conforms to social distancing guidelines, while protecting the scenic area from over use. The main goals are:
A reservation for the RFTA shuttle costs $15.95 per passenger for all reservations. Shuttle passengers will be asked to present their reservation upon arrival at the Aspen Highlands bus loading area. Only passengers with reservations will be allowed to load the buses at their reserved time slot.
The RFTA shuttle fare increase is necessary because of the financial impacts of COVID-19 on RFTA, and the need to limit passengers on buses to less than 50% of seated capacity in order to provide adequate social distancing for the safety of riders and RFTA Bus Operators. To make the Maroon Bells shuttle service available this season, a fare increase is necessary to pay for the cost of the service.
Reservations can be made online on at www.aspenchamber.org starting June 2.
Yes, reservations are required for one-way trips from Aspen Highlands up to the Maroon Bells.
No. Free one-way rides down from Maroon Bells will be provided on a space available basis. Bus capacity is limited, more space will be available in the morning, midday, and early afternoon hours prior to 3:00 p.m. A reservation is not needed for travel from Maroon Lake to Aspen Highlands.
Limited automobile access with a reservation begins June 8 and the RFTA Shuttles begin June 28. Reservations are required for driving/parking access. Starting June 28, motorized vehicles are restricted from 8am – 5pm when the RFTA Shuttle is in operation.
The cost for each vehicle reservation will be $10.
At least a 48-hour notice is required for cancellations and rescheduling. If you cancel inside of 48 hours or do not show up, you will not be refunded. If you would like to reschedule inside of 48 hours, you will need to rebook paying full price.
Utilize the link in your confirmation email to cancel or reschedule online. You can also reply to your confirmation email or call 970-930-6442.
Yes, a reservation will be required for parking in the Maroon Lake, West Maroon or East Maroon lots at the end of Maroon Creek Road. Reservations can be made online on at www.aspenchamber.org.
No, a reservation is not required to bike on Maroon Creek Road. Be cautious of cars and busses while riding.
All passengers, except for children 2 years of age or younger, will be required to wear face coverings that cover their noses and mouths when riding on the Maroon Bells shuttles.
RFTA Buses returning to the Aspen Highlands Base Village from the Maroon Bells will leave approximately every 15 minutes from the bus-loading zone. Approximately 15 passengers per bus will be allowed to load the departing buses to enable social distancing. Due to the potential lengthy waiting time for buses, passengers should bring rain gear and warm clothing in case of sudden thunder storms along with water and snacks.
Leashed dogs are allowed on the Maroon Bells buses and must always be on a leash. Due to the potential for surprise wildlife encounters in the densely vegetated area do not bring dogs on the Scenic Loop trail.
The Maroon Bells Bus started in 1977 after it was recognized that the beautiful roadside wildflowers were dying and that the overhanging Aspen trees were being choked to death. It was then that the problems of automobile air pollution, inconsiderate drivers, and very fragile high altitude mountain terrain had to be addressed. The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority worked with the National Forest Service to prevent the complete closure of the road to the Maroon Bells. To this end, a bus service was initiated during the peak hours and months. The road was closed to private cars from 7:30am to 5pm with the exception of handicap vehicles and those with 12 passengers or more. Since the buses have been in use the trees and flowers have substantially recovered from the damage the heavy car traffic had created and the valley is therefore still available for recreational use. We thank you for your cooperation.
The Maroon Bells Bus service runs every day. Your driver will point out areas of interest and geographical features, describe the wildlife, and tell you some of the area’s history on your 20 minute scenic ride to the Maroon Bells. When you arrive at Maroon Lake at the base of the Bells you may depart the bus and return on any later bus, affording you the opportunity to hike, take a ACES guided nature tour at 10:15am and 1:15pm, picnic (there are no food vendors at the Maroon Bells), take pictures or have a moment of solitude. One should be sure to bring a jacket (afternoon thunder showers are common), walking or hiking shoes and of course a camera.
All buses depart from Aspen Highlands Ski Area. Continuous bus service starts at 8:05 am, the last bus departs to the Maroon Bells at 4:30pm and returns to Highlands from the Maroon Bells at 5:00pm. Parking is available at Aspen Highlands or you can take the free Castle Maroon Bus from Rubey Park Transit Center to reach Aspen Highlands.
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Each individual must have a ticket in hand in order to load the Maroon Bell Bus at the Aspen Highlands parking lot loading zone. The ticket prices are listed below for the 2017 season. A $0.65 Forest Service recreation fee is part of the RFTA bus fee. This fee goes towards repairs, maintenance, improvements, and education.
TICKETS can be purchased right next to the Maroon Bells bus loading at Four Mountain Sports in Aspen Highlands.
Sightseeing Package – $37
To purchase the Sightseeing Package visit any Aspen Snowmass ticket office, Four Mountain Sports location or aspensnowmass.com.
Vehicles can park at the Aspen Highlands Village Parking Lot for an additional parking fee.
For more information on parking at Aspen Highlands, contact the Aspen Skiing Company at (970) 923-1227 or (800) 525-6200.
If the Highlands Parking Lot is full, alternative parking is available in the City of Aspen’s parking garage at 427 Rio Grande Pl, Aspen, CO 81611. For more information, contact the Aspen Chamber at 970-920-5430.
Overflow Parking in September: Specific weekends in September RFTA buses will shuttle passengers from Buttermilk to Aspen Highlands to catch the Maroon Bells buses. The Buttermilk lot will provide overflow parking for the fee of $6 per day. Buses are expected to run every 30 minutes from the Buttermilk lot to Aspen Highlands.
Leashed dogs are allowed on the Maroon Bells buses. If you have questions regarding the bus service please call (970) 925-8484