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Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop permit
Colorado's most iconic backpacking loop—27 miles crossing four 12,000+ ft passes...
Maroon Bells — Snowmass Lake (above 10,800') Permit
Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness · Colorado
Sold by zone, one night at a time
Overnight permit for Snowmass Lake (above 10,800') in Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, booked as a dispersed camping zone.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Snowmass Lake (above 10,800') were gone within 10 minutes.
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Snowmass Lake (above 10,800') Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelHigh7/10
SeasonJuly (USFS names July-September as the best time to visit) - September
Cost$10 per person, per night from May 1 to October 31 (children 16 and under free), plus a $6 non-refundable reservation fee
Daily Quota13 groups
Max Group Size10 people
Snowmass Lake (above 10,800') Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Snowmass Lake (above 10,800') in Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, Colorado requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Snowmass Lake (above 10,800') is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The permit season for Snowmass Lake (above 10,800') runs July (USFS names July-September as the best time to visit) through September.
- Cancelled Snowmass Lake (above 10,800') permits are re-released on the booking system; PermitSnag monitors availability and alerts watchers when dates open.
Key Information
Key Dates
SeasonJuly (USFS names July-September as the best time to visit) - September
Permit Details
TypeOvernight
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level7/10
LocationElk Range, White River National Forest, Colorado, CO
Pro Tips
- •Reserve a spot in the zone for every night of the trip — the permit is per zone per night, not per trip
- •Permits are capped at two per person per calendar year, so do not burn one on a date you are unsure about
- •Permits cannot be booked into a future release window: a trip that spans a month boundary has to wait for the later month to open
- •If you are starting from the Maroon Scenic Area you also need a separate parking or bus reservation — the confirmation email links to it, and parking spaces are limited
- •Once the permit is printed it cannot be changed or cancelled, so print it late
- •Only two of the thirteen Snowmass Lake permits are sized 5-10 people, so a big group has one narrow target
What to Expect
Route Details
Route Type
Out & Back
Duration
1-7 nights
Difficulty
StrenuousHighlights
- •Thirteen groups a night — the biggest quota in the wilderness, and still competitive
- •Choose-your-own established campsite rather than an assigned pad, 70 big steps from trails and water
- •No campfires at all, because the lake is above 10,800 feet
- •Overlap with Four Pass Loop parties, who use this zone as a standard night
- •No toilets anywhere
Best Time to Visit
July through September, the window USFS names. From early October to late June the campsites, trails and passes are snow-covered, avalanche hazard exists and route finding is difficult.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Altitude. This is Colorado high country and the campsites sit well above most people's baseline
- !Afternoon thunderstorms, which arrive on schedule in July and August and have nowhere to hide from
- !Snow on the passes and at the campsites from early October to late June, with avalanche hazard and difficult route finding
- !Black bears — the reason USFS writes the canister rule as a ticketable offence
- !Trailheads that may be inaccessible to vehicles outside the July-to-September window
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
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Backcountry Tips
- Day 3: Wind gusts to 45mph. Secure tent, avoid exposed ridges.
- Day 3: 95% chance of precipitation. Pack rain gear.
- Day 4: 64% chance of precipitation. Pack rain gear.
Today
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59°
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31%
Mon
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58°
43°
95%
Tue
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60°
40°
64%
Wed
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59°
39°
56%
Thu
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57°
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Fri
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56°
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28%
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
How to Get This Permit
1
Create a U.S. Forest Service account
Sign up at U.S. Forest Service if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
2
Know the release schedule
Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.
3
Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
4
Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
Learn More
When to Go
Peak: July through SeptemberShoulder: Late June and early October
Conditions
USFS is blunt: from early October to late June campsites, trails and mountain passes are snow-covered and trailheads may be inaccessible. Avalanche hazards exist and snow makes route finding difficult.
Crowd Level
LowAdvantages
- +Permits are available
- +Genuine solitude
Challenges
- !Snow camping
- !Avalanche hazard
- !Trailheads may not be drivable
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand4/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill1/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk3/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation2/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment3/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Backpackers who want the signature Elk Range lake camp and are willing to carry a stove instead of expecting a fire.
Recommended Experience
Prior backpacking at altitude, and comfort on boulder-field trail.
Not Recommended For
Anyone counting on a campfire, or expecting solitude on a July weekend when Four Pass Loop parties are cycling through.
About This Permit
Snowmass Lake is an Overnight Permit Zone in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness with a quota of 13 groups per night — the largest allocation of any zone. USFS breaks it down as 11 permits for 1-4 people and 2 permits for 5-10 people.
Unlike Conundrum Hot Springs, Crater Lake and Capitol Lake, this zone does not assign campsites. USFS asks you to select a campsite within the zone that is already established and is 70 big steps away from trails and water. What the permit reserves is a spot in the zone for that night.
Campfires are prohibited above 10,800 feet, and USFS names Snowmass Lake specifically in that prohibition. Fees are $10 per person per night from May 1 to October 31, children 16 and under free, plus a $6 non-refundable reservation fee. Two permits per person per calendar year, seven nights maximum on a permit, and a spot has to be reserved in the zone for every night you camp.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Snowmass Lake is the biggest water in this wilderness and the standard second night on the Four Pass Loop, which means it absorbs both the loop traffic and the out-and-back traffic. USFS gives it the largest quota of any zone here: 13 groups per night, made up of 11 permits for 1-4 people and 2 permits for 5-10.
The Route
Snowmass Lake is not one of the assigned-campsite zones. In every zone except Conundrum Hot Springs, Crater Lake and Capitol Lake, USFS asks you to pick an established campsite inside the zone that is 70 big steps from trails and water. The permit reserves you a spot in the zone for the night, not a specific pad.
The "above 10,800" in the permit name is the campfire boundary and it is the rule that catches people out: campfires are prohibited above 10,800 feet, and USFS names Snowmass Lake explicitly when it says so. Bring a stove and plan for a cold evening.
Thirteen groups a night is the largest allocation in the wilderness, which makes this the most gettable of the famous zones — and it still goes.
The Feeling
A big alpine lake with Snowmass Mountain and Hagerman Peak closing the far end, and a boulder field you cross to get around it. No fire ring anywhere, because the elevation rule bans them — so it is stoves and headlamps and an early night.
Rules & Regulations
- •Eleven of the thirteen Snowmass Lake permits are for 1-4 people; two are for 5-10
- •Group size is limited to the maximum number of persons allowable at the campsite, with total group size limited to 10 if multiple campsites are reserved
- •This zone does not assign campsites — select an established site at least 70 big steps from trails and water
- •Campfires are prohibited above 10,800 feet, including Snowmass Lake
- •Permits are limited to two per person per calendar year, and two permits cannot overlap the same night
- •Maximum length of stay per permit is seven nights
- •Food, trash and any scented item must be stored in an IGBC-approved bear-resistant container. USFS states that visitors without one will be ticketed and required to leave
- •There are no toilets in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. WAG bags are highly recommended but not required and must be packed out; otherwise dig a cat hole six to eight inches deep at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails
- •Dogs must be on leash
- •Permits are only available through Recreation.gov — ranger stations will not issue them
- •The permit must be printed and carried with photo ID, and can be printed as early as 14 days before your date
Gear Checklist
Required
- An IGBC-approved bear canister or Ursack — this is enforced, not encouraged
- A stove. Campfires are banned at every designated site in this zone
- A WAG bag or a trowel, because there are no toilets anywhere in this wilderness
- A printed permit and photo ID
- Water treatment
Recommended
- Trekking poles for the boulder field on the north shore
- An extra insulating layer, since there is no fire at this elevation
- A tarp for the afternoon storms
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Snowmass Lake (above 10,800')
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Key Landmarks
Snowmass Lake
USFS zone quota: 13 groups a night — 11 permits for 1-4 people and 2 for 5-10. Campfires prohibited; the lake sits above the 10,800-foot fire ban line.
Safety & Planning
Snowmass Lake (above 10,800') FAQ
How many permits per night are issued for Snowmass Lake in the Maroon Bells?
Thirteen groups per night, which is the largest zone allocation in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. USFS splits it into 11 permits for 1-4 people and 2 permits for 5-10 people.
Can I have a campfire at Snowmass Lake?
No. USFS prohibits campfires above 10,800 feet in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness and names Snowmass Lake specifically. Bring a stove.
Does the Snowmass Lake permit assign me a campsite?
No. Only the Conundrum Hot Springs, Crater Lake and Capitol Lake zones assign campsites. In every other zone, including Snowmass Lake, USFS asks you to select an established campsite within the zone that is 70 big steps away from trails and water.
What is the group size limit at Snowmass Lake?
Group size is limited to the maximum number of persons allowable at the campsite, with total group size limited to 10 if multiple campsites are reserved. Of the 13 permits USFS issues per night here, 11 are for 1-4 people and 2 are for 5-10.
Do I need a bear canister for the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness?
Yes. USFS requires food, trash and any scented item to be stored in an IGBC-approved bear-resistant container, and states that visitors without one will be ticketed and required to leave. Local retailers in Aspen rent and sell approved containers.
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Write the First ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Evening light on Snowmass Mountain and Hagerman Peak across the water.
Best Light
Dead-calm mornings, when the lake gives you the whole wall twice.
Beat the Crowds
Thirteen groups is a lot for this wilderness. Camp at the far end of the zone from where the loop traffic drops packs, and go midweek.
Classic Shots
- 📍Snowmass Mountain reflected in the lake at dawn
- 📍The boulder field along the north shore
- 📍A stove-only camp above 10,800 feet
- 📍Snowmass Creek valley on the walk in
Can't Get a Snowmass Lake (above 10,800') Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Four Pass Loop Permit
Same AreaThe 26-mile loop over four passes, booked as a zone-by-zone itinerary through the same Recreation.gov permit.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Far more competitive and requires stringing several zones together on consecutive nights.
Conundrum Hot Springs
Same AreaTwenty groups a night at designated campsites, with the hot springs at the top of the valley.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Campsites cap between two and six people, dogs are banned outright, and it is the most sought-after zone in the wilderness.
Crater Lake
Same AreaEleven groups a night in the zone closest to Maroon Lake, with ten designated campsites for 1-4 people and one, campsite #7, that takes 5-10.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
The shortest walk in of any Maroon Bells zone, which is exactly why it goes first.
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Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Snowmass Lake (above 10,800') trip
Very HardIn Demand8 sitesDeerlodge Park Campground
Dinosaur National Monument
Book campsite
Very HardIn Demand55 sitesRocky Mountain National Park Aspenglen Campground
Rocky Mountain National Park
Book campsite
Very HardIn Demand147 sitesRocky Mountain National Park Glacier Basin Campground
Rocky Mountain National Park
Book campsite
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