Feb 15 release (trips Apr 1-Jul 31)Timed release
Rolling first-come, first-served release; sites remain bookable up to the day of travel subject to availability. Trip window: 2026-04-01 → 2026-07-31.
Opens: Feb 15, 2026
U.S. Forest Service · CO
Conundrum Hot Springs / Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permits
Zone-and-site-specific overnight permits for the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, including the high-demand backpack to Conundrum Hot Springs near Aspen.
Permit requiredovernightStrenuous8.5 mi2,500 ft gain
Access requirement
3 ways to get a permit
Jun 15 release (trips Aug 1-Nov 30)Timed release
Rolling first-come, first-served release; sites remain bookable up to the day of travel subject to availability. Trip window: 2026-08-01 → 2026-11-30.
Opens: Jun 15, 2026
Oct 15 release (trips Dec 1-Mar 31)Timed release
Rolling first-come, first-served release; sites remain bookable up to the day of travel subject to availability. Trip window: 2026-12-01 → 2027-03-31.
51 daysOpens · Oct 15, 2026
Opens: Oct 15, 2026
Permit rules
QuotaAdvance overnight permits are required for designated zones including Conundrum Hot Springs, Crater Lake, and Capitol Lake. In these zones the group must camp in its reserved campsite. Limit of 2 permits per person per calendar year; maximum 7 nights per permit.
GroupMost permits allow up to 4 people per group; total group size limited to 10 (with no more than 15 stock animals) when multiple campsites are reserved.
Fees$10.00 per person, per night from May 1-Oct 31 (children 16 and under free), plus a $6.00 non-refundable reservation fee per overnight permit. Outside May 1-Oct 31 no per-person fee, but the $6.00 reservation fee still applies.
TransferPermit holder and group are required to camp in their reserved campsite in the Conundrum Hot Springs, Crater Lake, and Capitol Lake zones.
SafetyWinter travel is discouraged due to deep snow and avalanche hazard; July through September is the recommended season.
Where to stay
Campgrounds nearby
Official campground records near this destination. Availability is labeled with the source actually checked.
Maroon Bells Amphitheatre
Reservable
Aug 25—Aug 26—Aug 27—Aug 28—Aug 29—Aug 30—Aug 31—
Availability: Recreation.gov
Gothic
Reservable + first-come
Aug 25—Aug 26—Aug 27—Aug 28—Aug 29—Aug 30—Aug 31—
Availability: Recreation.gov
EAST MAROON PORTAL PICNIC SITE
Reservable
Aug 25—Aug 26—Aug 27—Aug 28—Aug 29—Aug 302Aug 31—
Availability: Recreation.gov
Silver Queen Campground
Reservable
Aug 25—Aug 26—Aug 27—Aug 28—Aug 29—Aug 30—Aug 31—
Availability: Recreation.gov