Crater Lake

Crater Lake lies about 1.4 miles up the Maroon-Snowmass Trail from Maroon Lake, tucked into a glacial basin in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness outside Aspen. The hike gains roughly 700 feet through dense aspen groves and subalpine fir, and the payoff at the top is a shallow alpine lake reflecting two of Colorado's most photographed fourteeners: Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak. If you have been staring at those iconic postcard shots and wondering what lies beyond the parking lot viewpoint, Crater Lake is the answer.

The trail is rated moderate and takes most hikers 1.5 to 2 hours one way. It is well-maintained and clearly marked, making it manageable for families with older children, though the steady uphill grade will test anyone not accustomed to exercising above 9,000 feet. During peak season the path is busy, so an early start or a weekday visit helps. Fall transforms the surrounding aspen forest into a corridor of gold that draws leaf-peepers from across the state, and wildlife sightings are common: visitors regularly report marmots, pikas, muskrats, mule deer, and the occasional black bear or mountain goat.

Crater Lake itself is shallow and can appear more brown than blue depending on the light, but the scale of the setting more than compensates. Towering 14,000-foot peaks rise on multiple sides, waterfalls cascade down rock faces in early summer, and the quiet at the water's edge contrasts sharply with the crowded scene at Maroon Lake below. A network of spur trails around the lake leads to hidden viewpoints and additional campsites for those with overnight permits.

Access to the Maroon Bells corridor requires a reservation and shuttle bus from Aspen Highlands between mid-June and early October; private vehicles are restricted between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. during that window. Dogs are welcome on the trail but must remain on leash. Overnight camping at designated sites around Crater Lake requires an advance permit through Recreation.gov, and campfires are prohibited in the wilderness area.

Whether you are a seasoned mountain hiker or a first-time visitor looking for a taste of Colorado's high country, Crater Lake delivers world-class alpine scenery on a trail that is demanding enough to feel like an accomplishment without requiring technical skill or an all-day commitment.