National Forest · Colorado
White River National Forest
Maroon Bells and the Colorado high country
TypeNational Forest
StateColorado
Best seasonSummer & fall
Don’t missMaroon Bells
Colorado’s most-visited forest, home to the Maroon Bells — the most-photographed peaks in North America — plus Aspen, Vail, and a wall of fourteeners. Aspen gold in fall is the headliner.
What to see
- Maroon Bells
- Hanging Lake
- Glenwood Canyon
- Mount of the Holy Cross
- Aspen / Snowmass
On public wild lands, services are sparse and conditions change fast — check the managing agency (Forest Service / BLM / Park Service) for road and seasonal closures, fire restrictions, and any permits before you go, and pack out what you pack in.
Build a trip around wild places like this.
Roamward turns spots like this into a real road trip on your phone — the scenic drive, the stops, and the detours, planned around the vibe you’re after. Get early access: