Even though the snowpack is still building across the White River National Forest, it’s time to begin planning many summer activities.
“Reservations are available for many of our campgrounds and required for some high visitation areas on the White River,” said Recreation Program Manager Paula Peterson. “Reservations help us manage use and ensure visitors have a more enjoyable experience.”
Maroon Bells Scenic Area
General parking and shuttle reservations for the Maroon Bells Scenic Area will be available at a new website address this year, www.visitmaroonbells.com. Beginning 8 a.m. MST on Feb. 18, shuttle reservations for the entire summer season (May 24-Oct. 20) will be available, as will parking reservations for May 15-July 31. Parking reservations for August through October will be available beginning June 17. A limited number of parking reservations will be held and released 72 hours in advance of a reservation date to avoid all permits being booked months in advance.
Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permits
Overnight permits for visiting the most popular areas of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area between April 1-July 31 will be available beginning Feb. 15 at 8 a.m. MST on www.recreation.gov. This includes overnight permits for Conundrum Hot Springs, the Four Pass Loop, and Capitol Lake. Reservations for August through November will be available beginning June 15.
Those who reserve an overnight permit will receive a link in their confirmation email giving them access to the dedicated wilderness overnight parking spaces and shuttle reservations for the trailhead at the Maroon Bells Scenic Area.
Developed Campgrounds and Group Sites
Reservations for the majority of the more than 50 developed campgrounds on the 2.3 million-acre White River National Forest are available six months in advance on www.recreation.gov. Developed campgrounds begin operating as early as mid-May on the Forest, depending on elevation.
“Advanced reservations help take the worry away from finding a place to camp,” Peterson said. “We also have a limited number of first-come, first served sites to help accommodate more spontaneous trips.”
The White River National Forest has several group sites that accommodate larger groups and begin operating in mid-May, depending on elevation. Those sites are available 365 days in advance on www.recreation.gov.
Information about all the Forest’s campgrounds and other developed sites are available at www.fs.usda.gov/whiteriver.
Hanging Lake
The reconstruction work on the Hanging Lake Trail will resume when weather allows in the spring, with an anticipated reopening in summer 2025. Reservation information will be posted at www.visitglenwood.com when it becomes available.
Trail reconstruction began May 2024 to make the 1.2-mile Hanging Lake Trail more sustainable and better able to handle high water. In 2025, crews plan to complete the trail’s seven bridges and final trail work, construct a boardwalk at Spouting Rock, and rebuild the trailhead area.
