Places to stay around Aspen

[ColoNativeGal]

Hey All,

Has anyone had luck getting the first come first served camp spots at Silver Bell and Silver Bar campgrounds for the Bells/Pyramid?
Are they tent only or can you camp in your car or truck-bed camper?

I have alerts (in case someone cancels their reservation) on recreation.gov for all of the sites near Aspen, including Difficult campground which I've stayed at before. Looking for a place to stay Friday July 26. If I can't get a camp spot are there any close by hotel/motels that someone recommends? I was thinking of looking for a room on airbnb as well.

Appreciate any insights/feedback. Thanks!

[ballardwf04]

Last summer when I went up to hike Pyramid, I asked the camp hosts at Difficult campground if there were any open spots I could stay in, despite the campground usually being booked up months in advance. Since it was already about 8PM and there were several no call, no shows, they kindly let me stay in an open spot free of charge, and I was gone at an unholy hour of the morning. So- worth asking, at least. Maybe you'll get lucky!

[ColoNativeGal]

Last summer when I went up to hike Pyramid, I asked the camp hosts at Difficult campground if there were any open spots I could stay in, despite the campground usually being booked up months in advance. Since it was already about 8PM and there were several no call, no shows, they kindly let me stay in an open spot free of charge, and I was gone at an unholy hour of the morning. So- worth asking, at least. Maybe you'll get lucky!

That is a great idea. Thanks so much!

[peter303]

The two discount hotels are St. Moritz and Tyrolean Lodge. Discount in Aspen means under $300. Snowmass, about 20 minutes away, has lodging.

Friday and Saturday nights are the toughest.

The fairly new alert signup on recreation.gov is a mixed bag. You dont need to check that website as often for cancelations. But you may be competing with a large pool for rare cancelations. I notice cancelations are harder to find now.

[Chipmunk]

If you're okay with car camping, you are allowed to stay overnight at the Brush Creek Park & Ride for free. This is what I always do when staying in the Aspen area.

[ColoNativeGal]

The two discount hotels are St. Moritz and Tyrolean Lodge. Discount in Aspen means under $300. Snowmass, about 20 minutes away, has lodging.

Friday and Saturday nights are the toughest.

The fairly new alert signup on recreation.gov is a mixed bag. You dont need to check that website as often for cancelations. But you may be competing with a large pool for rare cancelations. I notice cancelations are harder to find now.

Lol, I know right, discount for Aspen. I'll look at Snowmass.

Agree, the alert is like winning the lotto. I get the emails, but I'm competing with 50-100 other people and have missed out on 3 cancellations now b/c I wasn't fast enough to book them.

Thanks.

[ColoNativeGal]

If you're okay with car camping, you are allowed to stay overnight at the Brush Creek Park & Ride for free. This is what I always do when staying in the Aspen area.

Ah this is very helpful. I'm totally fine sleeping in my car. Thank you!!

[HikesInGeologicTime]

I’ve car-camped along Castle Creek Rd. prior to trips in the Bells area, once on a pull-off a few miles up listed as being on public land and another time at the 2WD TH for Castle and Conundrum. Brush Creek’s surely more convenient - no driving down Castle Creek Road before driving up Maroon Creek - but CC’s definitely farther off 82 and also more scenic, if those elements are more important to you.

If you are eager for a real bed and a shower either before or after the Big Day, I’d try Basalt or Carbondale for a hotel unless you do have Aspen levels of $$$$ to burn (in which case, can I interest you in making a donation to the HikesInGeologicTime Wants a Tricked-Out 4WD Van Fund? I’m sure I could figure how to make it a tax write-off! ).

[hokiehead]

I'm 6/6 for getting a FCFS campsite at the Maroon Bells Scenic Area, but always have showed up on a weekday -- if you roll in after 6PM on a Friday your chances are very small.

the problem is that if you don't get a site at Silver Bell/Bar/Queen, your backup options are not great. head back out Indy Pass to Difficult Campground or Lost Man or head down Lincoln Creek Road.

[mtree]

I've always had good luck driving up Castle Creek and finding camping.
There's always the airport parking?

[ColoNativeGal]

I’ve car-camped along Castle Creek Rd. prior to trips in the Bells area, once on a pull-off a few miles up listed as being on public land and another time at the 2WD TH for Castle and Conundrum. Brush Creek’s surely more convenient - no driving down Castle Creek Road before driving up Maroon Creek - but CC’s definitely farther off 82 and also more scenic, if those elements are more important to you.

If you are eager for a real bed and a shower either before or after the Big Day, I’d try Basalt or Carbondale for a hotel unless you do have Aspen levels of $$$$ to burn (in which case, can I interest you in making a donation to the HikesInGeologicTime Wants a Tricked-Out 4WD Van Fund? I’m sure I could figure how to make it a tax write-off! ).

LOL, unfortunately I don't have Aspen levels of $$$$ to burn, wish I did and then I would be happy to donate to your tricked out 4wd van fund.
These are great suggestions, thanks I appreciate it.

[ColoNativeGal]

I'm 6/6 for getting a FCFS campsite at the Maroon Bells Scenic Area, but always have showed up on a weekday -- if you roll in after 6PM on a Friday your chances are very small.

the problem is that if you don't get a site at Silver Bell/Bar/Queen, your backup options are not great. head back out Indy Pass to Difficult Campground or Lost Man or head down Lincoln Creek Road.

Did you get there right at 7am or did you roll in later in the day. Yeah Friday will be tough, but good to know.
What are the camp sites like? Are they tent only?
Thanks!