Aspen is hands down one of my favorite mountain towns in Colorado. Between the incredible views, hiking trails, abundance of ski mountains, dining scene, and downtown atmosphere it is very hard to beat. Also, I’m pretty sure (almost) every place is dog friendly here which is an A+ in my book. Aspen does have the reputation for being quite pricey but after years of traveling here I've collectively discovered that there are still good deals to be had that I've laid out in this travel guide- so let's jump in!
Hiking Recommendations
Smuggler Mountain Road
(Moderate) (2.7 miles RT)
Smuggler Mountain Road is a 2.7 mile out and back hike on a dirt road. Although cars can drive up this road it is quite narrow and we only passed one car the entire way up (and back) on a Friday afternoon, so don't let that deter you from checking this one off your list! The trail is also very exposed so remember to apply plenty of sunscreen before you begin hiking. Since there is 780 ft of elevation gain in just over a mile be prepared for a steeper incline but the summit is worth the trek. Once you reach the top there are sweeping panoramic views of Ajax Mountain and downtown Aspen pictured above!
I would recommend this hike for a quick burn that can either be completed first thing in the morning before a jam-packed day of activities or as an afternoon outing before coming back and enjoying happy hour. My personal favorite part about this hike is that it's just under a five minute drive from downtown Aspen and the trailhead is located up a residential mountain road. If I were an Aspen local, this would be a go-to hike of mine (just like Mount Sanitas is for me in Boulder) - a conveniently located trail, great views, and an effective workout.
Maroon Bells Scenic Loop Trail
(Easy) (1.9 miles RT)
This hike starts at the most photographed spot in the entire state of Colorado, Maroon Bells! I would recommend this hike for families, first time hikers, or if you are sore from other mountain adventures and looking for a rest day. The trail is 1.9 miles round trip with 160 ft of elevation gain and takes you along the shore of Maroon Lake, eventually you will pass a waterfall and then circle back once you reach the upper pond. The scenery at Maroon Bells is absolutely beautiful so make sure to bring a camera so that you can capture the memories forever, and perhaps create a new screen savor for your phone. :)
*Note that advanced reservations are required to access Maroon Bells via shuttle or car parking from May 14th - October 24th of 2021. You can reserve your pass HERE.
Crater Lake
(Easy-Moderate) (3.5 miles RT)
Located in the beautiful Maroon Bells-Snowmass wilderness, Crater Lakes is one of my favorite family friendly hikes. The trail is 3.5 miles round trip with a 688 ft elevation gain and one of the quickest hikes you can accomplish leaving from Maroon Lake. Many other trails within the area will bypass Crater Lake before heading on upward but Crater Lake in and of itself is a beautiful destination. This trail also takes you through a grove of Aspen trees, making this a perfect fall adventure! There are also rocky parts of this trail so make sure to opt for your hiking boots with ankle support versus tennis sneakers.
Maroon-Snowmass Trail to Willow Lake
(11.6 miles RT) (Difficult)
This hike is a steep one but couldn't be more worth it! With a total of 11.6 miles round trip and an elevation gain of 3,779 ft, Willow Lake is no easy task to reach. You will begin this hike at Maroon Bells, hike past Crater Lake, make your way up and over Willow’s Pass, and then down the valley to Willow Lake. Although the trail has shady sections it also has plenty of exposed areas so bring plenty of sunscreen (and water!). It is also important to note that Willow's Pass is very rocky and requires a bit of scrambling at some points so I would not recommend this hike to beginners.
I completed this hike on Labor Day in 2019 and did not encounter one single person once I reached the lake. To date, this is one of my all time favorite day hikes in Colorado!
Hiking on my To-Do List for Next Time:
Ute Rock
1.6 mile RT hike with 1,059 ft of elevation gain
Less than a five minute drive from downtown Aspen
Quick & steep hike that can be accomplished in the morning or afternoon
Crested Butte to Aspen via West Maroon Pass
10.3 mile (point to point) with 2,240 ft of elevation gain
Option to make this a backpacking trip if you prefer to do an out & back hike
If you prefer to do a point A to point B hike you can book a shuttle in advance to take you from Crested Butte back to Aspen (or vice versa depending on which location you start at)
American Lake Trail
6.8 mile RT hike with 2,043 ft of elevation gain
Features a beautiful alpine lake at the top and is rated as difficult
Trailhead is located 25 minutes from downtown Aspen
White River Ajax Trail
3.3 miles out and back with 597 ft of elevation gain
Trail leaves from downtown Aspen, is relatively flat and can be used for a brisk walk or a "rest day" activity
Additional Activities in Aspen:
Take the Gondola Up to the Top of Aspen Mountain
The Silver Queen Gondola ride at Aspen Mountain is an absolute must if you are visiting in summer/fall! Tickets are $31 per person, per round trip ride (children ages 3 and under ride free) and the ride up is 14 minutes long. Additional information can be found HERE.
Once you reach the the top of Aspen Mountain at 12,000 feet you are greeted with the the most postcard worthy panoramic mountain views. From here, you can either enjoy a drink and lunch at the Sundeck or take a scenic nature walk on any of the nearby hiking trails. My personal favorite choice is to have a morning mimosa (or two) at Sundeck and then walk around the scenic trails and soak in the views.
If you are visiting during the winter, ride the Silver Queen Gondola up to the top of the mountain with your ski pass, enjoy lunch at the Sundeck and then hit the slopes!
Take a Casual Stroll Through Aspen's Saturday Market
The Aspen Saturday Market starts at 8:30am every Saturday morning and lasts till 1pm from mid June through mid October. This is a perfect adventure if you are looking for fresh produce, local art and yummy snacks. If you are lucky enough, you will even run into this adorable alpaca and get to feed him cucumbers! His name is Sancho and I'm forever obsessed.
Drive Through Independence Pass
If you are driving to Aspen from the Denver/Boulder area, the GPS will most likely route your trip driving through I-70 passing Glenwood Canyon and then heading south towards Aspen. Don't get me wrong, the drive through the canyon is very beautiful but it is worth it to tack on the extra time to your drive (at least one way) and opt for Independence Pass. The top elevation of the pass is 12,095 ft on the Continental Divide and the views are absolutely breathtaking! If you choose to drive up this route, make sure you have a driver who is comfortable with steep and narrow mountain roads with minimal guardrails.
Where I've Stayed (Budget Friendly!) :
St. Moritz Lodge
The St. Moritz Lodge was the most recent place I stayed during a girl’s trip to Aspen. The location is phenomenal, just a brief eight-minute walk into town and two minutes from the free skier’s shuttle for winter trips. My favorite part about the hotel is their pool/whirlpool located in the front yard which is the perfect place to relax after a long day up in the mountains. No complaints about their complimentary happy hour with white wine and chilled lemonade either! The staff is also super friendly and the grounds of the hotels are beautiful. The building’s architecture is modeled after a charming European chalet and for a second you will think you are in the Swiss Alps.
Hotel Aspen
Hotel Aspen located right on Main Street is just steps from downtown. Their spacious rooms, large swimming pool, and affordable rates are just a few perks of staying at this spot. The hotel is also immediately across the street from the beautiful Paepcke Park which is a great location especially if you bring your furry friend along!
Aspen Mountain Lodge
This pet friendly hotel is also a few blocks away from downtown Aspen, features a pool, complimentary breakfast each morning, and has beautiful mountain views.
Restaurant Recommendations:
Aspen Pie Shop
Aspen Pie is situated right off of Wagner Park and the views of the ski runs (pictured above) are hard to beat. The casual laid back atmosphere and reasonably priced food & drink are a reason to keep coming back for more.
J Bar at Hotel Jerome
The J Bar is a great spot to visit for a post dinner drink. This dimly lit 19th Century Bar is a crowd favorite of Aspen where you can catch a late-night sports game, socialize with friends, and grab a few beers or craft cocktails.
Aspen Tap Room
Great patio in downtown Aspen with mountain views. The beer and pizza is delicious, the staff is very friendly, and the prices are affordable.
French Alpine Bistro
This cozy candle-lit restaurant is the definition of a romantic date night and I cannot recommend it enough! Make sure to order one sweet and one savory crepe and you can't go wrong with any of their delicious craft cocktails.
Jing
An Asian Fusion restaurant off of Main Street with incredible sushi and a relaxed atmosphere.
Mi Chola
Mexican restaurant with a great atmosphere and bar vibe. The margaritas are strong and the food is spicy.
Ajax Tavern
American restaurant at the base of the Aspen Mountain and the Silver Queen Gondola offering beautiful views of the slopes and plenty of people watching.
Bangkok Happy Bowl
Delicious Thai food that can be ordered as take out or can be enjoyed at the restaurant for a casual night out. I can't take a trip to Aspen without coming here!
Silver City Mountain Saloon
Mountain themed saloon with great nightlife. Perfect for a night out during a girl's weekend away or a place to stop for a night cap drink after a date night.
Restaurants on our To-Do List for Next Time:
White Horse Tavern
Meat & Cheese Restaurant and Farm Shop
Pine Creek Cookhouse
Thats a wrap on my Aspen travel guide! I'd love to hear what YOUR favorite parts about Aspen are, drop a comment below!
Happy Travels!
-Casey
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