Backpacking/Camping in Aspen, CO

A mere 15 minutes from downtown Aspen, in the Maroon Bells Wilderness, Conundrum Creek Trail offers one of the most unique overnight backpacking trips in the country, with stunning mountain scenery and the chance to soak in a natural hot springs pool.

Ptarmigan Lake is a gorgeous, but difficult to access alpine lake in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness near Independence Pass in Aspen, Colorado.

For a camping experience that blends lake views, mountain vistas, world-class fly fishing, hiking trails and water sports Ruedi is a top-of-mind choice. Located an hours’ drive from Aspen in the White River National Forest, Ruedi Reservoir offers campers 26 campsites available to tents and RVs less than 32 feet in the Mollie B. Family Campground.

Aspen is home to one of Colorado’s backpacking classics. The famed three-day to four-day 26-mile Four Pass Loop takes adventurous hikes through aspen groves, over four 12,400-plus-foot peaks and amongst pristine mountain lakes. In the summer months the aspen meadows are dotted with wild flowers are absolutely spectacular and, similarly, in the fall the aspen leaves are bright and striking.

Aspen offers access to several of Colorado’s famous 10th Mountain Division Hut Association. Named for and dedicated to the soldiers who trained in the area for high-alpine combat in the Italian Alps during World War II, the 10th Mountain Division Hut system provides physically fit and experienced backcountry skiers and hikers, and six to 16 of their friends, with the opportunity to tour/skin, snowshoe and hike to these incredible, off-grid cabins.

The Braun and Friends Huts are all situated around Aspen and are an associated sub-section of the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association. 10th Mountain Division Huts can be found throughout the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and are named for and dedicated to the soldiers who trained in the area for high-alpine combat in the Italian Alps during World War II.