Information to plan Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness trips now available

Release Date: Feb 1, 2023

Information to plan Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness trips now available
Limited overnight permits available Feb. 15

CARBONDALE, Colo. (Feb. 1, 2023) – Information about reserving limited overnight permits in the most heavily used areas of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness for the 2023 season is now available at www.recreation.gov.     

“While permits will not be available for reservation until Feb. 15, we wanted to share information about how to plan a trip through the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness because we know people are already making summer plans,” said Aspen-Sopris District Ranger Kevin Warner. 

Starting this year, the White River National Forest will require an overnight permit and fee in the most heavily used areas of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, including Conundrum Hot Springs, the “Four Pass Loop” (which includes Crater Lake and Snowmass Lake), Geneva Lake, and Capitol Lake. 

Permits for the limited overnight areas for trips occurring Feb. 15-July 31 will be available on https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4675333 beginning 8 a.m. (MST) on Feb. 15, with limited overnight permits for Aug. 1-Nov. 30 available June 15. 

“The overnight permit and fee program is critical to effectively manage and restore this premiere backcountry destination,” Warner said.  

Revenues generated by the fee program will provide a sustainable funding source for restoring heavily damaged areas, increasing ranger presence and public education, and improving trails.

A $10 per person, per night fee is required for the limited overnight permit areas from May 1 through October 31. No fee is required for children 16 years old and younger or for approved school groups. A $6 processing fee per permit will be charged by recreation.gov.

Recreation in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness has exploded over the past decade, with a quadrupling of overnight use since 2006. This has led to significant management challenges with crowding, large amounts of trash and human waste, user conflicts, and large-scale environmental impacts including campsite damage, human/bear conflict, and loss of vegetation.

The overnight permit and fee are specifically for overnight camping in certain areas of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness and do not apply to day hikers or the Maroon Bells Scenic Area, which has a separate parking and shuttle reservation system. Parking and shuttle reservations for the Maroon Bells Scenic Area will be available at www.aspenchamber.org for the months of May and June beginning March 1, for July and August beginning April 1, and for September and October beginning May 1.

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Booking an Overnight Permit for the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness
Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to reserve a permit to camp in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness?

Camping in the most visited areas of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness requires an overnight permit, reserved in advance, year-round. Areas include Conundrum Hot Springs, the “Four Pass Loop” (which includes Crater Lake and Snowmass Lake), Geneva Lake, and Capitol Lake. Use this Overnight Permit Zone Map to understand which areas ones in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness require an overnight permit.

If you are not overnighting in the overnight permit zones, you will need to self-register when you get to the trailhead.

How do I get a reservation?

Overnight permits are only available on recreation.gov  Search “Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permits” on the recreation.gov homepage.

Ranger stations will not issue permits. 

When can I start making reservations? 

Permits are released on recreation.gov according to this schedule:
•            February 15:  Overnight permits for April 1-July 31 are available for advanced reservation at 8am Mountain Time
•            June 15:  Overnight permits for August 1-November 30 are available for advanced reservation at 8am Mountain Time
•            October 15:  Overnight permits for December 1-March 31 are available for advanced reservation at 8am Mountain Time

How can I be prepared to reserve a permit on recreation.gov?   

The best way to plan for your trip and to be ready to reserve a permit is to understand where you plan to camp each night of your trip. Use this Overnight Permit Zone Map to understand which zones in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness require a permit. If you (and your group) plan to camp in a permitted zone, you will need to reserve a spot in each zone that you plan to camp.

Visit the recreation.gov reservation website and read thoroughly through the information in advance. If you don’t have an account on recreation.gov, we recommend you create your account in advance.

How much does it cost?
A $10 per night, per person fee will be required for an overnight permit in the permit zones (shown in pink on Overnight Permit Zone Map) from May 1 through October 31. No fee is required for children 16 years old and younger. Permits will be available on recreation.gov, which charges a processing fee (currently $6) per reservation.

How do I make reservations if my itinerary includes areas that require an overnight permit and others that do not?

If you plan to camp in any of the overnight permit zones, you will need to reserve a permit in advance. The reservation system will allow you to book nights outside of the limited overnight permit zones and return. You will only be charged for the nights in the overnight permit zones, and the $6 processing fee per person is only charged once. 

What if I am not going to spend any nights in the limited overnight permit zones? Do I still need a reservation and permit?

No. The reservation and permit is only required for the limited overnight permit areas on the map. If you are not spending the night in any of those areas on your trip, you do not need a reservation or permit, and there is no fee. You are still required to self-register at the trailhead when you start your trip.  

If I am going to start my trip from the Maroon Bells Scenic Area trailheads, do I need to make a reservation through that system for parking or for the shuttle?  

Yes.  Reservations are required for parking or riding the RFTA bus shuttle in the Maroon Bells Scenic Area. When you reserve your overnight permit, your confirmation email will contain a link to reserve a parking or bus shuttle reservation.  There is a limited number of parking reservations available and when they are full, bus tickets are available.  Alternatively, you could have someone drop you off at the trailhead.  Please read these FAQs about drop-offs.  Drop offs are only allowed before 8am and after 5pm. There are many alternate trailhead access points to the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness.  However, parking is limited at all trailheads so please carpool. 

Is there a video I can watch to learn more about backpacking in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness?

Yes.  Please enjoy this 3 minute Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Welcome Video that shares crucial information you will need to know on your next trip to the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness.

What additional services will be provided by the fee revenues?

The majority of fee revenue will be used on-site in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness for
•            restoration and rehabilitation of heavily damaged natural areas and campsites
•            increased Wilderness Ranger field presence and visitor information service
•            improved trails maintenance
•            better trash and human waste management and removal in remote locations
•            Human Waste Disposal (WAG) Bags program-provided to the public at major Wilderness access points to improve sanitation of camping areas
•            Support for free bear canister lending program
•            Expansion of existing volunteer and partner programs