Do I need a permit for Conundrum Hot Springs?
Yes. Every overnight stay in the Maroon Bells–Snowmass Wilderness needs a permit, year-round, and at Conundrum you camp only at the numbered site assigned on your permit.
No pups at Conundrum: the Forest Service prohibits dogs there. Campfires are banned at the designated sites and above 10,800 feet.
How much does a Conundrum permit cost?
$10 a person a night from May 1 to October 31, free for kids 16 and under, plus a $6 non-refundable reservation fee per permit, per recreation.gov.
When are Conundrum permits released?
Maroon Bells–Snowmass Wilderness permits release in batches on recreation.gov at 8 a.m. Mountain Time, not on a rolling window. In 2025, the Forest Service opened April 1 to July 31 trips on February 15, and August 1 to November 30 trips on June 15. The 2027 dates weren't posted when we checked, so watch the Important Dates on the recreation.gov permit page.
Can I get a Conundrum permit after it sells out?
Yes, it can happen. People cancel, and recreation.gov puts cancelled permits back into inventory within 24 hours. Permit holders can cancel for a refund, minus the $6 fee, up to 48 hours before their start date. Once a permit is printed, which you can do up to 14 days ahead, it can't be changed or cancelled.
How many people can go on one permit?
Most permits cover up to 4 people, and a group can't go over 10 across several sites. Each person can hold 2 permits a calendar year, up to 7 nights each, with no overlapping nights. The permit holder or a named alternate leader has to be on the trip.
Sold out for your Conundrum Hot Springs dates?
Pick your nights and we'll email you when a Conundrum permit opens. You book it yourself on recreation.gov. Setting a watch is free.
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Common questions
Do you need a permit for Conundrum Hot Springs?
Yes. Every night at Conundrum needs a permit, year-round, booked on recreation.gov, and you camp at the site assigned on your permit.
When do Conundrum Hot Springs permits come out?
Maroon Bells–Snowmass Wilderness permits release in batches on recreation.gov at 8 a.m. Mountain Time, not on a rolling window. In 2025, the Forest Service opened April 1 to July 31 trips on February 15, and August 1 to November 30 trips on June 15. The 2027 dates weren't posted when we checked, so watch the Important Dates on the recreation.gov permit page.
How much is a Conundrum permit?
$10 a person a night from May 1 to October 31, free for kids 16 and under, plus a $6 non-refundable reservation fee per permit, per recreation.gov.
What happens to cancelled Conundrum permits?
recreation.gov puts them back into inventory within 24 hours, where anyone can book them. Set a watch and we email you when one opens for your dates.
Can Campsite Ranger book a permit for me?
No. Campsite Ranger never books for anyone and never asks for your recreation.gov login. It emails you when a permit for your dates opens, and you book it yourself on recreation.gov.