Destination Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness
Home / Articles / Destination Maroon Bells-Snowmass WildernessColorado’s Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is a renowned recreation destination with 173 miles (278 km) of trails managed by the Forest Service. Overnight permits are required for popular destinations in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, including Conundrum Hot Springs, Four Pass Loop, and Capitol Lake. Overnight permits are available on Recreation.gov. Permits are required year-round.
What you need to know to plan an overnight trip in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness
The Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness carries special legal designation to protect its natural, undeveloped, and untrammeled qualities, as well as to provide outstanding opportunities for solitude or primitive and unconfined recreation. A permit system and regulations are in place to help protect this unique wilderness treasure.
As you plan an overnight trip into the wilderness, keep in mind, only the most heavily used areas will require the overnight permit in advance including Conundrum Hot Springs, the Four Pass Loop (which includes Crater Lake and Snowmass Lake), Capitol Lake, and Geneva Lake. Together these areas make up about 28 percent of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. The best way to plan for your trip and to be ready to reserve a permit is to understand where you plan to camp each night of your trip. Use this Overnight Permit Zone Map to understand which zones in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness require a permit. If you (and your group) plan to camp in a permitted zone, you will need to reserve a spot in each zone for each night that you camp. Wilderness zones outside of the permitted areas require that you register in-person at the trailhead – no need for a reservation.
The White River National Forest offers additional trip planning details on their webpage, including Frequently Asked Questions about the permitting process. You can also watch this short video with important safety and travel information.
Conundrum Hot Springs, Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness (Tyler Lee, US Forest Service)
Recreation in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness has exploded over the past decade, with a quadrupling of overnight use since 2006. This overnight permit and fee program is critical to giving the Forest the resources needed to effectively manage, restore, and protect this cherished but heavily used and impacted area.
As you plan your trip to the wilderness, it’s important to note the upcoming on-sale dates for the season. The popular destinations on summer weekends book quickly.
Permits will be released in blocks on Recreation.gov under this schedule:
- February 15: Overnight permits for April 1-July 31 are available for advanced reservation at 8am Mountain Time
- June 15: Overnight permits for August 1-November 30 are available for advanced reservation at 8am Mountain Time
- October 15: Overnight permits for December 1-March 31 are available for advanced reservation at 8am Mountain Time
As a visitor to the area, it’s up to you to help protect this amazing place, and we know that you will!
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