Campgrounds · Aspen, White River National Forest

Maroon Bells camping: campgrounds, permits and cancellations

Three small campgrounds near the Bells and Aspen, and the wilderness permits everyone wants. Here's how each one books.

See the campgrounds
  • Campgrounds we watch here3
  • Campgrounds openAbout 6 months ahead
  • Wilderness permitsReleased in batches

How do Maroon Bells campground reservations work?

Silver Bell and Silver Queen sit on Maroon Creek Road below Maroon Lake. Silver Queen's 5 sites are all reserved. Silver Bell has 14 sites, and most of them (2 to 4 and 8 to 14) are first-come, first-served, with a 5-day limit. Difficult, on the Roaring Fork east of Aspen, is the big one at 47 sites.

The White River National Forest says most of its campgrounds open on recreation.gov 6 months ahead. The individual campground pages don't restate it, so check which dates are on sale before you plan around a release day.

Which Maroon Bells campgrounds can I book, and when?

Silver Bell

Maroon Creek Road
  • Opens about 6 months ahead
  • 14 sites, most first-come

Sleep on Maroon Creek Road and wake up already at the Bells.

Watch it free

Rules verified Nov 4, 2026 against the Silver Bell page, the Silver Queen page, the Maroon Bells Scenic Area page, recreation.gov for Difficult and the White River National Forest's reservations notice. Rules change: check before you book.

What permits or reservations apply in Maroon Bells?

Every overnight trip into the Maroon Bells–Snowmass Wilderness needs a permit for each night, year-round.

Conundrum Hot Springs permitFour Pass Loop permitCapitol Lake permitMaroon Bells permits guide

What are conditions like in Maroon Bells right now?

Our conditions board tracks inclement weather, wildfire, smoke, air quality and closures for Maroon Bells. Set a watch and we also keep an eye on conditions around your trip, and email you if they turn bad, with nearby campgrounds that look clear.

Live conditions boardRelease-day calendar

Sold out in Maroon Bells?

Pick a campground and your nights, and we’ll email you when a site opens. You book it yourself on recreation.gov. Setting a watch is free.

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Common questions

When do Maroon Bells campground reservations open?

About 6 months ahead on recreation.gov. That's the White River National Forest's rule for most of its campgrounds. The campground pages don't restate it, so confirm the dates on sale on recreation.gov.

Are there first-come campsites near the Maroon Bells?

Yes. At Silver Bell, sites 2 to 4 and 8 to 14 can't be reserved and are first-come, first-served, with a 5-day limit. Silver Queen's 5 sites are all reserved.

Do I need a Maroon Lake parking reservation if I'm camping?

The Forest Service says campers with reservations at Silver Bar, Silver Bell or Silver Queen don't. Everyone else needs a shuttle seat or a parking reservation, booked at visitmaroonbells.com, and that includes backpackers parking overnight.

Do I need a permit for Conundrum Hot Springs, the Four Pass Loop or Capitol Lake?

Yes, for every night, year-round. Our Conundrum, Four Pass Loop and Capitol Lake pages cover how permits release and how cancelled permits come back.

Can Campsite Ranger book a site for me?

No. Campsite Ranger never books for anyone and never asks for your recreation.gov login. It emails you when a site for your dates opens, and you book it yourself on recreation.gov.