Things to do in Aspen
Aspen runs two peak seasons at high altitude: deep snow from December to March draws skiers, while July through September brings wildflowers, alpine hiking, and the summer music festival. Shoulder months are quiet, and Independence Pass stays closed through the winter.
Best months: July, August, September, February
What is worth your time in Aspen
Independence PassDo not miss
Highway 82 climbs to a 12,095-foot summit on the Continental Divide, with alpine tundra, overlooks, and one of Colorado's most dramatic drives.
Scenic Route · 3.5 hr4.9
Aspen Mountain Silver Queen GondolaDo not miss
Ride to the 11,212-foot summit of Aspen Mountain for panoramic Elk Range views, summit trails, and a deck restaurant year-round.
Activity · 2.5 hr4.8
John Denver SanctuaryDo not miss
A riverside garden of native plantings and boulders engraved with John Denver lyrics, a peaceful tribute beside the Roaring Fork River.
Park · 53 min4.8
Maroon BellsDo not miss
The two maroon-hued fourteeners mirrored in Maroon Lake are among the most photographed mountains in North America, ringed by aspen groves and alpine trails.
Nature · 6 hr4.8
Maroon Lake Scenic TrailDo not miss
An easy loop along Maroon Lake delivers the classic Bells reflection and wildflower meadows without a strenuous climb.
Nature · 1.1 hr4.8
Wheeler Opera HouseDo not miss
An 1889 silver-baron opera house, beautifully restored, hosting concerts, comedy, and film in an intimate downtown landmark.
Cultural Experience · 2.3 hr4.8
Aspen Historic DistrictDo not miss
Victorian-era brick storefronts, galleries, ski-town boutiques, and sidewalk cafes fill a walkable core framed by mountains on every side.
Neighborhood · 2.3 hr4.7
Snowmass VillageDo not miss
Aspen's sister resort offers a slopeside base village, the Elk Camp gondola, an alpine coaster, and miles of summer hiking and biking trails.
Neighborhood · 4.3 hr4.7
Ashcroft Ghost TownDo not miss
A preserved 1880s silver-mining town of weathered log buildings in the Castle Creek Valley, with interpretive trails beneath the peaks.
Historic Site · 1.5 hr4.6
Aspen Art MuseumDo not miss
A Shigeru Ban-designed, free-admission museum of rotating contemporary exhibitions topped by a rooftop sculpture deck and cafe with mountain views.
Museum · 1.5 hr4.2
Aspen Music Festival and School
A celebrated eight-week summer festival of orchestral and chamber concerts in the tented Benedict Music Tent and around town.
Cultural Experience · 2.3 hr5
Ute Trail
A short, steep climb from the edge of town to a rocky overlook bench with one of the quickest big views over Aspen.
Activity · 1.5 hr5
American Lake Trail
A forested climb above Castle Creek to a peaceful alpine lake, quieter than the Maroon Valley trails but just as scenic.
Activity · 4.8 hr4.9
Devils Punchbowl
A turquoise pool and waterfall in a granite gorge on Independence Pass, a local cliff-jumping and picnic spot in summer.
Nature · 1.4 hr4.9
And 31 more, which the planner picks between based on your dates, pace and what you are into.
Worth knowing
- Aspen sits near 8,000 feet with passes above 12,000, so acclimatize, hydrate, and take your first day easy to avoid altitude sickness.
- Maroon Bells has restricted summer access: a timed reservation and shuttle from Aspen Highlands are required during the day, so book ahead.
- The town core is compact and walkable, and free RFTA buses link Aspen, Snowmass, and the ski mountains, so you rarely need to drive in town.
- Seasons split sharply: ski season runs roughly late November to mid-April, while hiking, biking, and festivals fill June through September.
- Independence Pass on Highway 82 east closes with snow from about November to late May, so check road status before planning a pass drive.