Aspen and Maroon Bells: tours, shuttle and reservations
Aspen and Maroon Bells trips in 2026 need a reservation, whether you ride the shuttle or drive in. Below are the shuttle dates, fares and parking rules, plus tours from Aspen.
Updated October 21, 2026 · We may earn a commission
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Status update, October 21, 2026.
- The Maroon Bells shuttle stopped for the season on October 18. Through October 31 you need a parking reservation to drive in, but you no longer have to arrive before 8 a.m. From November 1 parking is first come, first served until Maroon Creek Road closes for winter, typically around November 10 (Visit Maroon Bells).
- Independence Pass (CO 82 between Aspen and Twin Lakes) is still open (Independence Pass Foundation). CDOT says it typically closes on or near November 7 (CDOT); it closed on November 17 in 2025 and on October 31 in 2024. Cottonwood Pass west of Buena Vista usually closes in late October or early November, and Guanella Pass around Thanksgiving (Denver Gazette). Check COtrip.org the morning you drive.
Reservations are required
You need a reservation to visit the Maroon Bells Scenic Area by car or by shuttle, and you book both at visitmaroonbells.com. The rules for 2026:
- RFTA runs the shuttle from May 22 to October 18, 2026, from the Maroon Bells Welcome Center at Aspen Highlands. Fares are $16 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under and seniors 65+. The ride takes about 15 minutes each way (RFTA).
- Drivers need a trailhead parking reservation, which costs $10 per vehicle and is required from May 15 to October 31. Between May 22 and October 18 the road is closed to inbound private cars from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., so drivers arrive before 8 or after 5. That limit ended on October 19, so through October 31 you can arrive any time your parking reservation allows.
- If you take the shuttle, the Aspen Highlands garage charges by the hour, and RFTA buses connect Aspen Highlands with Aspen, Snowmass Village and towns down the valley.
Getting to Aspen
Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) is about 10 minutes from town. From Denver it's about 3.5-4 hours by road, and Eagle County Airport (EGE) is another option about 1.75 hours away.
Rules and dates come from RFTA and the official reservation site and can change; check before you go. See also rides from ASE.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a reservation for Maroon Bells?
Yes. Reservations are required by car or shuttle. Trailhead parking ($10 per vehicle) is required May 15 to October 31, 2026, and shuttle seats are booked at visitmaroonbells.com.
When does the Maroon Bells shuttle run in 2026?
May 22 to October 18, 2026, from the Maroon Bells Welcome Center at Aspen Highlands. Adults pay $16; kids 12 and under and seniors 65+ pay $10.
Can I drive to Maroon Bells?
Yes, with a $10 parking reservation, but from May 22 to October 18 private cars can't drive in between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.