The Maroon Bells are located in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, (near Aspen), and are considered to be the most photographed peaks in Colorado. If you’re a nature lover and wondering what you want to see in Colorado, I highly recommend these twin peaks. I consider them to be the most spectacular mountain peaks in the whole United States.

And don’t take my word for it-come see them for yourself! They are postcard perfect. And that reminds me; although I can show you pictures of them, they really have to be seen in person to be appreciated. Pictures just don’t do them justice.

Since the Maroon Bells are located in the White River National Forest, that means they are dog friendly. Just make sure you keep your furry friend on a leash.

So, if you’re looking for the directions there, here they are: from Glenwood Springs, take Hwy. 82 south towards Aspen. (It takes just over one hour to reach the Maroon Bells from Glenwood Springs.) As you approach Aspen, you will see the Aspen airport on your right. Keep following the road and cross the bridge over Maroon Creek.

Just beyond Maroon Creek, you’ll reach a roundabout. Enter it carefully and follow the sign for Maroon Creek road. If you see the church tower, you’ll know you’re going the right direction. From here, just keep following the road until you reach the pay station. After that, just follow the road until it ends at the parking lot.

In 2009, it costs $10.00 to see the Maroon Bells, and the pass you receive is good for five days.
Now, you need to know that vehicle access is restricted to certain hours and that Maroon Creek road is only open from summer through sometime in the fall, depending on the weather. Maroon Creek road is currently closed but will re-open to vehicles on May 22, 2009 weather permitting, depending on snow levels.

Here are the hours that you can drive in to see the Maroon Bells:
- 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. ($10.00 per car for 5 days)
- 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. ($10.00 per car for 5 days)
- 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (free)

Between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., you need to ride the shuttle bus. And actually, I encourage you to ride the bus at least once if you’ll be in the area for a while. That way, you can listen to the bus driver who offers up a fine talk about the Maroon Bells during your ride. Bus service will start on June 20, 2009.

Maroon Bells bus information:
- Buy your tickets at Pro Mountain Sports in Aspen Highlands Village. To get there, follow my directions to the Maroon Bells, and once you’re on Maroon Creek road, be watching for the sign that says: “Maroon Bells shuttle bus”. You can’t miss it.
- Bus leaves from just outside Pro Mountain Sports. It drops you off and picks you up again at Maroon Lake.
- Ticket prices go like this: adults: $6.00, children 6-16: $4.00, and seniors: $4.00.
- Parking is free at the Aspen Highlands Village parking lot to ride the Maroon Bells bus.
- Departure times go like this: from 9:05 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.: every 20 minutes. From 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: on the hour and half hour. The last bus leaves Maroon Lake at 5:00 p.m. Don’t miss it, because cell phones don’t work up there!
- The shuttle bus will run every day from June 20 through September 7, 2009. From September 8 to September 27, 2009, the bus will run weekends only. In this case, weekends are: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
- Last but not least, dogs are permitted to ride the Maroon Bells shuttle bus.

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