Published Jan 9, 2026

Fall in Love with Aspen Bucket List

Sunny skies and beautiful colors make fall one of the finest times to explore the mountains.

Make the most of Aspen's golden season, and see how many experiences you can check off of our fall bucket list:

Enjoy seasonal produce and admire local art at the Saturday Market
Ride the Silver Queen Gondola or hike the Ute Trail to the top of Aspen Mountain for bird's-eye views of the fall colors
Bike the riverside Rio Grande Trail to the Woody Creek Tavern
Paraglide off the summit of Aspen Mountain
Take a scenic drive up Independence Pass and explore The Grottos, Independence Ghost Town, the Continental Divide, and hiking trails along the way.
Visit the Maroon Bells and hike to Crater Lake
Hike up Sunnyside Trail and enjoy the fall foliage with the backdrop of Aspen Mountain
Explore the Aspen Art Museum, designed by Shigeru Ban, and grab a bite at Swedish Hill, a rooftop café with incredible views of Aspen Mountain
Settle in at a cozy café or stroll through downtown Aspen with a warm drink in hand
Browse the many art galleries around town
Register for the Golden Leaf Half Marathon and run through golden aspen groves
Dine al fresco on crisp fall evenings before heading to Paradise Bakery for homemade cookies and ice cream
Enjoy all of the arts and culture events Aspen has to offer, including the annual Aspen Filmfest and Aspen Literary Festival
Saddle up for a Western adventure
Fly fish for Rainbow, Brown, and Speckled Trout
Camp in the White River National Forest
Hit the driving range at the Aspen Golf Club
Step back in time at Ashcroft Ghost Town
Take a sunrise hot air balloon ride with Blazing Adventures
Mountain bike Lower Hunter Creek or many of Aspen's other top-notch trails
Hit the town and discover Aspen after dark
Enjoy a scenic drive or bike ride on Maroon Creek or Castle Creek Road