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Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Permits

Wilderness Permit

Overview

Itinerary-based overnight permit for the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River National Forest, Colorado. ~181,000 acres of high-alpine terrain near Aspen. You build a night-by-night itinerary selecting a zone or designated campsite for each night. 50 reservable zones/campsites across four districts: Conundrum Hot Springs Zone (20 designated sites), Capitol Lake Zone (9 designated sites), Four Pass Loop/Snowmass Lake/Crater Lake/Geneva Lake (20 sites and dispersed zones), and All Other Zones (pass-through only). Permits required year-round. Best season is July through September -- from early October through late June, campsites, trails, and mountain passes are snow-covered and trailheads may be inaccessible.

Bottom Line

Pure FCFS, no lottery. Reservations open in two large windows -- Feb 15 at 8 AM MT (Apr 1--Jul 31 dates) and Jun 15 at 8 AM MT (Aug 1--Nov 30 dates), with a third window Oct 15 for Dec--Mar. Popular zones sell out fast on release day, especially Conundrum Hot Springs (the most competitive), Snowmass Lake, and Crater Lake. After the initial rush, cancellations return to inventory and can be picked up -- this is where alerts are most valuable. Conundrum sites are small (most cap at 2--4 people) and there are only 20, so summer weekends fill almost instantly. The dispersed zones (Maroon, North Fork, East Fork, Upper Snowmass) and midweek dates have better availability. Two permits per person per calendar year -- plan carefully.

Reservations

Feb 15 at 8 AM MT: Apr 1--Jul 31 dates open
Jun 15 at 8 AM MT: Aug 1--Nov 30 dates open
Oct 15 at 8 AM MT: Dec 1--Mar 31 dates open
Available online only through recreation.gov -- ranger stations do not issue permits
Available up to day-of, depending on availability
Max 7 nights per permit
Max 2 permits per person per calendar year
Permits cannot overlap (same person cannot hold two permits for the same night)
Cannot book into a future release window (e.g., a trip starting Jul 31 and ending Aug 1 is not bookable until the Aug window opens)
Cancellations return to inventory within 24 hours

Zones and Group Size

Conundrum Hot Springs Zone (20 designated sites): most sites cap at 2 people, some at 4, two at 6. Dogs prohibited. Must camp at assigned numbered site. The most sought-after zone.

Capitol Lake Zone (9 designated sites): max 4 people per site. Must camp at assigned numbered site.

Crater Lake Zone (11 designated sites): 10 sites max 4 people, 1 large group site (Site 7) for 5--10 people. Must camp at assigned numbered site.

Dispersed zones (Maroon, North Fork, East Fork, Geneva Lake, Snowmass Lake, Upper Snowmass): "Small Group Dispersed" allows up to 4 people, camp at any established site within the zone. "Large Group" options (Maroon, North Fork, Snowmass Lake) allow 5--10 people.

All Other Zones: can only be booked as part of a multi-night itinerary that includes at least one permitted zone. Cannot book a permit with only this zone.

Total group size limit is 10 if reserving multiple campsites.

Fees

$10/person/night (May 1--Oct 31 high season)
Free (Nov 1--Apr 30 low season)
$6 non-refundable reservation fee per permit
Children 16 and under free
Cancel 48+ hours before trip for full refund minus the $6 reservation fee
Once permit is printed (available 14 days before trip), no changes or cancellations allowed

Key Rules