Maroon Bells Reservations and Photography Guide
By Chris Heaton · access details checked October 2026
The Maroon Bells are probably the most photographed mountains in Colorado, and for good reason: two 14,000-foot peaks of red rock standing at the end of a valley, reflected in Maroon Lake. Getting there takes a little planning, because the road is managed with reservations for most of the year. Here's how it works and how to come home with the shot.
How the reservation system works
From roughly mid-May to the end of October, you can't just drive up Maroon Creek Road. You either ride the shuttle from Aspen Highlands or book a vehicle reservation to drive and park at the lake. Both are booked in advance through the official Maroon Bells reservation site run with the Aspen Chamber. Dates and prices change each year, so treat the numbers below as the 2026 season and check before you book.
- Shuttle: runs about every 15 minutes from Maroon Bells Basecamp at Aspen Highlands; in 2026 it ran May 22 to October 18 and cost $16 for adults.
- Vehicle reservation: lets you drive and park at the lake; it was $10 per vehicle in 2026, and the road is shuttle-only from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in summer and fall.
- Bikes don't need a road reservation; e-bikes paid a $5 entry fee in 2026.
- Reservations go fast for late September weekends. Book as soon as your dates are set.
Getting there for sunrise
For the classic shot you want sunrise, when first light turns the peaks red while the lake is still calm. The shuttle doesn't run early enough, so sunrise means a vehicle reservation and driving up in the dark, before the 8 a.m. cutoff. The east shore of Maroon Lake is a short walk from the parking area. Get there early: on peak aspen weekends the best tripod spots along the shore fill up well before sunrise.
Where to stand
Most people shoot from the east end of Maroon Lake, where the trail meets the water. That's the reflection everyone knows, and it's worth getting. After that, walk.
- The east shore of Maroon Lake for the full reflection; get low to the water.
- The scenic loop trail around the lake for aspen framing the peaks in late September.
- Maroon Creek and the beaver ponds below the lake for quieter reflections.
- A telephoto on the summit ridges while the alpenglow is on them.
- Crater Lake, about 1.8 miles up the trail, for a closer, wilder view of the peaks.
When the aspens peak
Fall color around Maroon Lake usually peaks in the last third of September, typically somewhere between September 20 and 30. It shifts a week either way with the weather, and a windy storm can strip the trees in a day. Early summer is underrated: snow still on the peaks, green meadows and wildflowers through July.
Winter at the Bells
In winter, Maroon Creek Road is closed to cars near the T-Lazy-7 Ranch. From there it's about six miles each way on the snow-covered road to the lake, by ski or snowshoe, with roughly 1,000 feet of gain. It's a long day, but you may have the frozen lake almost to yourself. Check avalanche conditions, carry layers and a headlamp, and watch for moose.
Good to know
- Drones are not allowed in the wilderness.
- Wind usually ruffles the lake by mid-morning, so reflections are best right after dawn.
- Climbing the Bells is dangerous because of loose rock; they're not a hike.
- Bring water and layers. Mornings at 9,580 feet are cold even in September.
Photography tips
- Be set up 30–45 minutes before sunrise. The peaks catch alpenglow just before the sun appears, and the best color is often over within ten minutes.
- Use a wide lens (14–24mm) low to the water for the full reflection, and a telephoto (70–200mm) for the peaks alone.
- Bracket your exposures: the bright peaks and the shadowed valley floor are often too far apart for one frame.
- Skip the polarizer for the reflection shot; it can cancel the reflection.
- In fall, overcast mornings make the aspens glow; on sunny days, look for backlit leaves along the loop trail.
- Don't block the line of tripods on the shore. Arrive early and claim a spot, or walk the loop for different angles.
Spot guides mentioned here
Useful on this site
- Fall color right now: Which aspen spots are typically peaking this week
- Colorado Photo Spots field guide: Offline PDF with the Bells and 41 other spots
- Wallpaper Pack: Includes Alpenglow on the Bells
Questions
Do you need a reservation for the Maroon Bells?
Yes, for most of the year. From about mid-May to the end of October you need a shuttle ticket or a vehicle reservation, booked in advance through the official Maroon Bells reservation site.
Can you see sunrise at the Maroon Bells?
Yes, with a vehicle reservation. Drive up before the road becomes shuttle-only at 8 a.m.; the shuttle doesn't start early enough for sunrise.
When is peak fall color at the Maroon Bells?
Usually the last third of September, roughly September 20 to 30, varying a week either way with the weather.
Can you visit the Maroon Bells in winter?
Yes, but the road is closed to cars near the T-Lazy-7 Ranch, and it's about six miles each way to the lake on skis or snowshoes.
Fees, reservations and road dates change. Confirm with the managing agency before you go. Sources: aspensnowmass.com, aspenchamber.org, fs.usda.gov.
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