Beyond the OverlookAspen in Fall & Summer: Our Favorite Things to Do
Aspen deserves a trip beyond ski season. The hiking is beautiful, from summer wildflowers to vibrant yellow aspens in fall, and Maroon Bells lives up to its famous view. After visiting in July and early October, we would choose fall again.
Updated October 2026 · How we review our guides
July or early October?
If we could pick only one season, we would choose fall for the aspens. Hiking through the vibrant yellow leaves was the highlight for us. We had excellent hiking weather, slightly smaller crowds and lower costs on our October visit. July’s green slopes and wildflowers were lovely, but the golden aspens felt more distinctive. Color, weather and prices vary by year.
Maroon Bells: our first priority
Start at Maroon Lake for the iconic view with very little walking. We would arrive for sunrise again, leave time to watch the light change, then decide whether to continue to Crater Lake. That hike is about 3.6 miles round trip, with uphill stretches and loose, uneven rocks.
Driving worked better for our early start than the shuttle, but getting a parking reservation took persistence. Our detailed guide covers that tradeoff, sunrise, trail conditions and photos from both seasons.
Plan your Maroon Bells visit →
Hunter Creek to Smuggler Mountain: our second hiking day
For another moderate hike, we really enjoyed Hunter Creek to Smuggler Mountain. We started from Mill Road, crossed a bridge along Hunter Creek and took Hunter Creek Cutoff toward Smuggler. The creek, a good climb and lovely leaves made it a peaceful contrast to the busy Maroon Bells area. The descent opened up to beautiful views over Aspen.
Bring a downloaded trail map and check it at junctions. We took a wrong turn to the right onto a path with lots of mountain bikers. It eventually rejoined our route, adding what we estimate was about 0.3 miles. There are several ways to connect or extend this hike, so choose your route before heading out.
Read our Hunter Creek + Smuggler Mountain hiking guide →
John Denver Sanctuary: leave time to linger
This was such a pretty, peaceful stop. The garden, large rocks and scenery made it somewhere we could have spent a while simply enjoying the surroundings. We would make time for it between bigger activities, especially when you want a slower part of the day.
The city's sanctuary guide places it beside Rio Grande Park. You do not need to be planning a hike to enjoy this stop.
Silver Queen Gondola: mountain views without another climb
We enjoyed the gondola ride, and it was beautiful at the top. This is the option we would choose when we still want mountain scenery but do not want to make every outing a big hike.
The Silver Queen Gondola rises from downtown to Aspen Mountain. Check the operator's sightseeing calendar before making plans, particularly in early October when operations are seasonal. Bring a layer for the top.
Leave some unplanned time in town
Aspen itself was great to visit. Watching a rugby game was a fun addition to the mountain outings. If there is a game while you are there, it is worth stopping to watch rather than filling every hour with another scheduled activity.
Wagner Field is a rugby venue in the downtown core. Check the local rugby club for games; we would treat one as a bonus, not assume a match happens every day.
Aspen Art Museum: a memorable stop in town
The cave-like exhibit on the bottom floor was super cool when we visited. It is a good reminder to leave room for Aspen itself, not just the mountains. We would add the museum when you want something different between outdoor adventures.
Exhibitions change, so check what is currently on view at Aspen Art Museum rather than expecting the same installation we saw.
Other options between hiking days
Guided Jeep outings, horseback rides and e-bikes are other ways to explore the area. We have not tried these tours, so we would start with the Aspen Chamber’s tour directory and e-bike route guide, then choose an outing suited to your group and the season.
Getting to Aspen: flying or driving from Denver
2027 airport closure: Aspen/Pitkin County Airport is scheduled to close April 4 at 11 p.m. through November 19 at 7 p.m. for runway reconstruction. Check the official airport update before booking.
Driving from Denver is a reasonable alternative, and we would leave time to enjoy the scenery along the way. Think of the drive as part of the trip: mountain views and stops in other beautiful areas can make it more than a transfer to Aspen.
Via Glenwood Springs: take I-70 west through Glenwood Canyon, then Highway 82 toward Aspen. Allow roughly four hours from Denver in good conditions, with extra time for airport pickup, traffic, weather and stops. Glenwood Springs makes a natural place to break up the drive. Check the Aspen Chamber’s driving directions for route details.
Via Independence Pass: when the pass is open, the route through Leadville and Twin Lakes offers another scenic approach. It is a winding mountain road with narrow sections, so choose it when you have daylight, good conditions and time to enjoy the drive. The pass closes for winter, and snow can affect autumn access. Check COtrip before setting out, especially for an October visit.