Maroon Lake Trailhead

PARKING RESERVATION REQUIRED
You must book in-advance to get an overnight parking permit at the Maroon Lake trailhead and there are a limited number available. They do have a "Midnight-to-Midnight" permit which allows you to drive to the trailhead between midnight and 8am and hike the same day, leaving by midnight. Please visit this page for more information.

CAMPING RESERVATION REQUIRED
A reservation is required to pack in and camp near Crater Lake and permits are small in number. If you are lucky enough to get a wilderness camp permit, you still have to reserve overnight parking, or ride the shuttle between 8am-5pm, or get dropped off outside of the 8am-5pm window. If you are unable to get a camp permit, you'll have to day-hike and still deal with parking or get dropped off early in the morning. Check for wilderness camping permits at recreation.gov. For reference, check out the Overnight Permit Zone Map

Location

RangeElk Mountains

Elevation9,590'

Lat/Lon39.09862, -106.94064

14ersMaroon Peak, North Maroon Peak, Pyramid Peak

Road Difficulty

0 Paved Road

2WD paved to the TH.

Driving Directions

Drive to Aspen and locate the start of the Maroon Creek road at a roundabout just west of town. Measuring mileage from there, drive 3.2 miles where you'll pass a ranch. At 4.7 miles, reach the U.S. Forest Service entrance station. Reach the trailhead at 9.5 miles. During summer, the road past the entrance station is closed to cars between 8am and 5pm so if you have a parking permit or getting dropped off, make sure it's outside these hours.

On-Site Info

ParkingIt's a pain.

CampingNo camping at the trailhead. Packing in to camp at Crater Lake requires a permit. There are a couple of campgrounds along the road, above the entrance station, but they are first come, first serve and you'll have to ask as the entrance station if a site is available.

Restrooms?Yes

Fees?Yes

Photos

Winter Access

Closed at the ranch, many miles below the TH, but the road is usually packed down by snowmobiles.

Trailhead added by BillMiddlebrook

Status Updates
Map


10/29/2011 Posted On: 11/15/2011 By: mountainmicah83 Info: This is a bit of old beta but newer than what is currently there. As of 10/29 the road to the TH was still open and the roads were still dry with minimal snow. No idea if it is closed yet at the typical winter closure.
5/27/2011 Posted On: 6/3/2011 By: Carl Info: Road opened for the season May 27.
5/15/2011 Posted On: 5/16/2011 By: Carl Info: Road is melting pretty quick. You can bike nearly 3 of the 5 miles from the gate to the TH. Also, we learned yesterday that you‘re not allowed to snowmobile up the road if there is less than 6 inches of snow coverage. The ranger turned away one group and was attempting to locate another. Plan accordingly.
5/5/2011 Posted On: 5/6/2011 By: gb Info: gated, first 1.5mi to silver bell is plowed, continuous snow after that. rough for both bikes and snowmobiles right now.
11/20/2010 Posted On: 11/22/2010 By: COmedic04 Info: The snowblock was open at T-Lazy 7 Ranch, but the gate was closed above that. The road was relatively clear, however, and I was able to hike along the road without snowshoes all the way to the lake.
5/23/2010 Posted On: 5/23/2010 By: Carl Info: Road opened for the season Saturday May 22nd.
4/21/2010 Posted On: 4/21/2010 By: tmahon Info: Gate still locked at T Lazy 7 but road is getting dry. Might be more of a bike ride than a snowmobile ride until it unlocks around Memorial Day
11/16/2009 Posted On: 12/13/2009 By: Glen Info: talked to the rangers and as of this morning the gate is closed!!
10/30/2009 Posted On: 10/30/2009 By: Nelson Info: I called the Aspen Ranger Station today. They said the road is open although there is snow in places. 4wd should be able to make it to the lake. He felt it should melt off with good weather this week end. He said the snow around the Lake and higher would be there for the season.
8/1/2009 Posted On: 8/1/2009 By: TI83plus Info: Road is open the entire way. Got charged $10. Maybe it was because we had 2 people in the car. Too many tourists though.
6/3/2009 Posted On: 6/3/2009 By: centrifuge Info: The Road is open to Maroon Lake Trailhead. There is a Forest Service Fee Station that charges a $5 fee to gain access to the road.
5/31/2008 Posted On: 5/31/2008 By: Prairie Native Info: Road is open. hiked in from 6 miles out and was greeted with a mob of tourists the next day.
5/27/2008 Posted On: 5/27/2008 By: mtnbikerskierchick Info: I just called the Ranger Station and they said they are working on plowing the road right now. There is an anticipated opening date of June 1st, but there is some road damage, so it might not be open then.
5/20/2008 Posted On: 5/20/2008 By: Couloirman Info: Just to refute the previous poster, the road is not open, and will not be open until at least June 1st when the county may decide to plow it.
5/15/2008 Posted On: 5/15/2008 By: s_tuning Info: Maroon Lake Road opens May 17th.

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Maroon Lake Trailhead

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