Reservations opening for popular summer destinations in Colorado
STACIE SCOTT
Some of Colorado’s most beloved nature escapes require advanced reservations for a summer visit. Now is the time to plan — no matter the winter-looking scene currently across White River National Forest.
Reservations open this month for some of the most popular areas in that national forest, considered America’s busiest.
Areas include the Maroon Bells Scenic Area, that postcard site of the twin peaks looming over a lake.
Starting Feb. 18, people can book a shuttle ride for days between May 24-Oct. 20. Shuttle rides are listed at $10 for children and seniors, $16 for adults. Also at visitmaroonbells.com, people can reserve a parking spot to drive themselves ($10). A limited number of spots are held for reserving 72 hours in advance, to avoid all spots being booked months in advance.
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One will need a reservation as well for some go-to campsites deeper in Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. Those include Conundrum Hot Springs and sites along the Four Pass Loop. Reservations for April-July open Feb. 15 at recreation.gov. Permits are $10 per person per night.
White River National Forest reports the majority of its 50-plus campgrounds, operating as early as mid-May, open reservations six months in advance. Those sites are also booked at recreation.gov.
More trails coming to Fishers Peak in southern Colorado
A recent news release indicated Hanging Lake Trail is expected to welcome back hikers this summer. That trail has been closed for periods since May 2024, when construction started to make the trail more resistant to water and erosion.
Ahead of summer, crews are expected to replace the trail’s foot bridges and build a new boardwalk at the destination Spouting Rock. When finished, hiking reservations will be posted at visitglenwood.com.
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