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Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
Aspen-Sopris manages five Wilderness areas and the spectacular Maroon Bells Recreation Area, the historical Crystal Mill, Ashcroft ghost town, and the small mining town of Marble, CO. This area provides outstanding recreational opportunities including downhill & cross-country skiing, hunting, hiking, camping, rafting, four-wheeling, snowmobiling, and world class fly fishing in gold medal waters.
Big game hunters will find numerous rewards with our generous elk and deer populations hosting an estimated 45,000 elk and 80,000 deer within our summer inventory. Our forest rangers offer hundreds of group tours and interpretive presentations throughout the year at our local schools, on the trail, in our campgrounds, and on location at our three visitor centers.
For visitors unable to visit one of our visitor center locations, please search our Recreation Opportunity Guides for free downloadable road and trail guides for the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District.
Recreation areas within this district include:
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | View Current Conditions Reports |
|---|---|
| Usage: | Medium-Heavy |
| Closest Towns: | Aspen, CO; Carbondale, CO |
| Operated By: | Forest Service |
| Information Center: | Maroon Bells Scenic Area Website Aspen Ranger Station - 970-925-3445 (Scheduled to Open in June) Sopris Ranger Station - 970-963-2266 |
General Information
Directions:Aspen Ranger Station (Scheduled to Open in June)
806 West Hallam
Aspen, CO 81611
970-925-3445
Sopris Ranger Station
620 Main Street
Carbondale, CO 81623
970-963-2266
General Notes:
The Aspen-Sopris Ranger Districts are managed together out of one office in Carbondale, Colorado (Sopris Ranger Station). The Aspen Ranger Station is scheduled to open with full services for the 2016 summer season. For inquiries about the Basalt, Carbondale & Marble areas call (970) 963-2266. The Sopris Ranger Station is a full service office, where maps, passes, and local permits are sold.
Currently Visitor Services in Aspen are located at the Aspen Ranger Station, on Highway 82 at the corner of the S-Curve in Aspen. The office is schedule to open with full services in June. Bus tickets for the Maroon Bells Shuttle are sold at the Four Mountain Sports Store in the Aspen Highlands Ski Area. Contact the Aspen office at (970) 925-3445 for questions about the Aspen, Snowmass, and surrounding areas.
Activities
Mountain Biking
Areas for Mountain Biking at Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
- Aspen Area
- Government #1980
- Hunter Creek #2194
- Hunter Valley #1992
- Sunnyside #1987
- Basalt Area
- Carbondale Area
- Hay Park #1957
- Lake Ridge Lakes #2093
- Red Table #1909
- El Jebel Area
- Basalt Mountain #1911
- Cattle Creek #1909
- Bogan Flats Group Campground
- Redstone Area
- Braderich Creek #1952
- Braderich-South Thompson #2093
Road Cycling
Areas for Road Cycling at Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
Campground Camping
Areas for Campground Camping at Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
- Aspen Area
- Difficult Campground and Group Campground
- Four Pass Loop - West Maroon to Buckskin
- Lincoln Gulch Campground
- Lost Man Campground
- Portal Campground
- Silver Bar Campground
- Silver Bell Campground
- Silver Queen Campground
- Weller Campground
- Basalt Area
- Chapman Campground and Group Campground
- Dearhamer Campground
- Elk Wallow Campground
- Little Mattie Campground
- Little Maud Campground
- Mollie B Campground
- Ruedi Marina Campground
- Ruedi Reservoir
- Carbondale Area
- Avalanche Campground
- Redstone Campground
- Marble Area
- Bogan Flats Campground
- Snowmass Area
RV Camping
Areas for RV Camping at Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
- Aspen Area
- Difficult Campground and Group Campground
- Four Pass Loop - West Maroon to Buckskin
- Silver Bell Campground
- Silver Queen Campground
- Chapman Campground and Group Campground
- Little Maud Campground
- Mollie B Campground
- Ruedi Marina Campground
- Carbondale Area
- Redstone Campground
- Marble Area
- Bogan Flats Campground
Group Camping
Areas for Group Camping at Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
- Aspen Area
- Difficult Campground and Group Campground
- Chapman Campground and Group Campground
- Marble Area
- Bogan Flats Group Campground
Dispersed Camping
Areas for Dispersed Camping at Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
Mountain Climbing
Areas for Mountain Climbing at Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
Lake and Pond Fishing
Areas for Lake and Pond Fishing at Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
- Aspen Area
- Maroon Lake Scenic #2197
- Weller Lake #1989
- Basalt Area
- Freeman Mesa Picnic Site
- Mollie B Campground
- Ruedi Reservoir
- Carbondale Area
- Dinkle Lake Picnic Site
- El Jebel Area
- Marble Area
River and Stream Fishing
| Hours of Operation: | |
|---|---|
| Rental info: |
Areas for River and Stream Fishing at Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
- Aspen Area
- Difficult Campground and Group Campground
- Four Pass Loop - West Maroon to Buckskin
- Silver Bar Campground
- Silver Bell Campground
- Silver Queen Campground
- Basalt Area
- Rocky Fork #1931
- Rocky Fork Picnic Site
- Carbondale Area
- Redstone Campground
- Marble Area
- Bogan Flats Campground
- Bogan Flats Group Campground
- Redstone Area
Day Hiking
| Hours of Operation: | |
|---|---|
| Rental info: |
Areas for Day Hiking at Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
- Aspen Area
- American Lake #1985
- Aspen to Crested Butte via East Maroon #1983
- Aspen to Crested Butte via West Maroon #1970
- Buckskin Pass #1975
- Capitol Ditch #1963
- Cathedral Lake #1984
- Conundrum Creek #1981
- Difficult Campground and Group Campground
- Difficult Creek #2196
- Discovery #1997/Braille #1995
- East Maroon #1983
- East Snowmass #1977
- Government #1980
- Grottos Day Use #2180
- Hunter Creek #2194
- Hunter Valley #1992
- Linkins Lake #1979
- Lost Man #1996
- Lost Man Campground
- Maroon Creek #1982
- Maroon Lake Scenic #2197
- Maroon-Snowmass #1975
- Maroon/Snowmass - Crater Lake #1975
- Midway #1993
- New York Creek #2182
- Petroleum/Anderson Lake #1991
- Portal Campground
- Silver Bar Campground
- Silver Bell Campground
- Silver Queen Campground
- Sunnyside #1987
- Trails in Aspen area
- Weller Lake #1989
- West Maroon #1970
- West Snowmass #2187
- Willow Lake #1978
- Basalt Area
- Aspen-Norrie #1927
- Chapman Lake #1923
- Henderson Park #1972
- Lyle/Morman Lake #1919
- Miller Divide #1930
- Rocky Fork #1931
- Ruedi Overlook #1912
- Savage Lakes #1918
- South Fork Fryingpan #1922
- Carbondale Area
- Avalanche Creek #1959
- Dexter Park #1953
- Hay Park #1957
- Lake Ridge Lakes #2093
- Middle Thompson #1950
- Perham Creek #1949
- Red Table #1909
- Redstone Campground
- Thomas Lakes #1958
- El Jebel Area
- Basalt Mountain #1911
- Cattle Creek #1909
- Marble Area
- Anthracite Pass #1969
- Bogan Flats Campground
- Bogan Flats Group Campground
- Carbonate Creek #1971
- Yule Pass #2083
- Maroon Bells Scenic Area
- Hay Park #19571
- Redstone Area
- Braderich Creek #1952
- Braderich-South Thompson #2093
- Placita #1966
Backpacking
| Hours of Operation: | |
|---|---|
| Rental info: |
Areas for Backpacking at Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
- Aspen Area
- American Lake #1985
- Aspen to Crested Butte via East Maroon #1983
- Aspen to Crested Butte via West Maroon #1970
- Buckskin Pass #1975
- Capitol Creek #1961
- Capitol Ditch #1963
- Cathedral Lake #1984
- Conundrum Creek #1981
- East Maroon #1983
- East Snowmass #1977
- Four Pass Loop - West Maroon to Buckskin
- Grizzly Lake #1990
- Hell Roaring #1960
- Lost Man #1996
- Maroon-Snowmass #1975
- Maroon/Snowmass - Crater Lake #1975
- Midway #1993
- New York Creek #2182
- Petroleum/Anderson Lake #1991
- Tabor Creek #2185
- West Maroon #1970
- West Snowmass #2187
- Willow Lake #1978
- Woody Creek #1994
- Basalt Area
- Aspen-Norrie #1927
- Chapman Gulch #1920
- Fryingpan Lakes #1921
- Granite Lake #1922
- Henderson Park #1972
- Josephine Lake #1916
- Last Chance #1945
- Lyle/Morman Lake #1919
- Savage Lakes #1918
- Sawyer Lake #1926
- South Fork Fryingpan #1922
- South Fork Pass #1940
- Tellurium Lake #1917
- Carbondale Area
- Avalanche Creek #1959
- Thomas Lakes #1958
- El Jebel Area
- Marble Area
- Anthracite Pass #1969
- Arkansas Mountain #1965
- Carbonate Creek #1971
- Geneva Lake #1973
- North Fork #1974
- North Fork Cutoff #1976
- North Lost #1967
- Raspberry Creek #1968
- Silver Creek #1959
- Maroon Bells Scenic Area
- Redstone Area
- East Creek-Gift Creek #1963
- Lily Lake #1964
- Placita #1966
- Woody Creek Area
- Spruce Creek #1927
Horse Riding
| Hours of Operation: | |
|---|---|
| Rental info: |
Areas for Horse Riding at Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
- Aspen Area
- Aspen to Crested Butte via East Maroon #1983
- Capitol Creek #1961
- Capitol Ditch #1963
- East Maroon #1983
- East Snowmass #1977
- Grizzly Lake #1990
- Hell Roaring #1960
- Maroon Creek #1982
- Maroon-Snowmass #1975
- Tabor Creek #2185
- Trails in Aspen area
- West Maroon #1970
- West Snowmass #2187
- Willow Lake #1978
- Woody Creek #1994
- Basalt Area
- Chapman Gulch #1920
- Chapman Lake #1923
- Fryingpan Lakes #1921
- Granite Lake #1922
- Josephine Lake #1916
- Last Chance #1945
- Lyle/Morman Lake #1919
- Miller Divide #1930
- Rocky Fork #1931
- Ruedi Overlook #1912
- Sawyer Lake #1926
- South Fork Pass #1940
- Tellurium Lake #1917
- Carbondale Area
- Avalanche Creek #1959
- Dexter Park #1953
- Hay Park #1957
- Middle Thompson #1950
- Perham Creek #1949
- Red Table #1909
- Redstone Campground
- El Jebel Area
- Basalt Mountain #1911
- Cattle Creek #1909
- Marble Area
- Anthracite Pass #1969
- Arkansas Mountain #1965
- Bogan Flats Campground
- Bogan Flats Group Campground
- Geneva Lake #1973
- North Fork #1974
- North Fork Cutoff #1976
- North Lost #1967
- Raspberry Creek #1968
- Yule Pass #2083
- Hay Park #19571
- Redstone Area
- East Creek-Gift Creek #1963
- Lily Lake #1964
- Placita #1966
- Woody Creek Area
- Spruce Creek #1927
Viewing Wildlife
| Hours of Operation: | |
|---|---|
| Rental info: |
Areas for Viewing Wildlife at Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
Viewing Plants
| Hours of Operation: | |
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| Rental info: |
Areas for Viewing Plants at Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
Viewing Scenery
| Hours of Operation: | |
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| Rental info: |
Areas for Viewing Scenery at Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
OHV Road Riding
| Hours of Operation: | |
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| Rental info: |
Areas for OHV Road Riding at Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
OHV Trail Riding
| Hours of Operation: | |
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| Rental info: |
Target Shooting
| Hours of Operation: | |
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| Rental info: |
Visitor Programs
| Hours of Operation: | |
|---|---|
| Rental info: |
Areas for Visitor Programs at Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
Interpretive Areas
| Hours of Operation: | |
|---|---|
| Rental info: |
Areas for Interpretive Areas at Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
- Aspen Area
- Discovery #1997/Braille #1995
- Mollie B Campground
- Carbondale Area
- Marble Area
- Redstone Area
Visitor Centers
| Hours of Operation: | |
|---|---|
| Rental info: |
Areas for Visitor Centers at Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
Picnicking
| Hours of Operation: | |
|---|---|
| Rental info: |
Areas for Picnicking at Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
- Aspen Area
- Difficult Campground and Group Campground
- Four Pass Loop - West Maroon to Buckskin
- Grottos Day Use #2180
- Lincoln Gulch Campground
- Lost Man Campground
- Portal Campground
- Weller Campground
- Basalt Area
- Black Bess Picnic Site
- Dearhamer Campground
- Elk Wallow Campground
- Freeman Mesa Picnic Site
- Little Mattie Campground
- Little Maud Campground
- Rocky Fork Picnic Site
- Ruedi Marina Campground
- Carbondale Area
- Avalanche Campground
- Dinkle Lake Picnic Site
- Marble Area
- Maroon Bells Scenic Area
Group Picnicking
| Hours of Operation: | |
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| Rental info: |
Scenic Driving
| Hours of Operation: | |
|---|---|
| Rental info: |
Areas for Scenic Driving at Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
Boating - Motorized
| Hours of Operation: | |
|---|---|
| Rental info: |
Areas for Boating - Motorized at Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
Boating - Non-Motorized
| Hours of Operation: | |
|---|---|
| Rental info: |
Areas for Boating - Non-Motorized at Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
- Aspen Area
- Basalt Area
- Dearhamer Campground
- Mollie B Campground
- Ruedi Marina Boat Ramp
- Ruedi Reservoir
Swimming
| Hours of Operation: | |
|---|---|
| Rental info: |
Areas for Swimming at Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
Sledding/Tubing
| Hours of Operation: | |
|---|---|
| Rental info: |
Areas for Sledding/Tubing at Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
Skiing/Snowboarding
| Hours of Operation: | |
|---|---|
| Rental info: |
Areas for Skiing/Snowboarding at Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
- Aspen Area
- Aspen Highlands Ski Area
- Aspen Mountain Ski Area
- Buttermilk Ski Area
- Basalt Area
- Carbondale Area
- Sunlight Ski Area Alpine
- Snowmass Area
- Snowmass Skiing Ski Area
XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
| Hours of Operation: | |
|---|---|
| Rental info: |
Areas for XC Skiing/Snowshoeing at Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
Snowmobiling
| Hours of Operation: | |
|---|---|
| Rental info: |
Areas for Snowmobiling at Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
Current Conditions
Related Sites
Location
