when to visit

In the summer months, Independence Pass, Colorado State Highway 82, connects Aspen to Twin Lakes. The road is closed in the winter due to heavy snowfall. Topping out at 12,095 feet it is among the highest paved mountain passes in Colorado. The area has some magnificent scenery and is one of the most beautiful drives in the United States. We spent a day driving the pass and exploring the trails along the way. If you are near Aspen, Leadville, or Buena Vista, it’s worth spending a day or two, or longer visiting this area.

where to stay

We stayed at the Difficult Campground near Aspen, Colorado. It is operated by the United States Forest Service. We reserved a site through recreation.gov and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. It was the perfect location to begin our day or adventure along Independence Pass. If you are traveling in an RV, be aware that vehicles (and trailers together) over 35 feet cannot complete the full drive across Independence Pass.

Difficult Campground has plenty of room for large RVs and tent camping alike. We used Campendium to find our campground and read reviews from others that have camped along Independence Pass. There are plenty of other USFS campgrounds in the area. We liked the location of Difficult Campground as it was within easy access to dining and groceries in Aspen.

Hotels in the Aspen area can be quite pricey. If you need lodging and are looking for a more economical place to stay, I would suggest checking options in Snowmass, Basalt, or Glenwood Springs. We have a large family and even the lowest-priced hotel rooms in the area were out of our price range. The campground was well-kept and we loved spending a night under the stars.

Twin Lakes, Leadville, and Buena Vista would also be great places to find lodging near Independence Pass. These areas can also be costly and lodging options are limited in small towns so make reservations well ahead of your trip. We wanted to stay near Aspen as we were also planning a visit to Maroon Bells while in the area.

what to do

You can easily explore many areas of Independence Pass in one day. Whichever direction you are traveling, I would suggest an early start. Pack plenty of water, snacks, and layers of clothing. Be sure to stay weather-aware while visiting this area as conditions can change rapidly. There is just one main paved road, so it is unlikely you would get lost, but we did not have phone service so be sure to have a map and plan your activities ahead of time.

Our family found more activities of interest on the Aspen side of the Pass. We enjoyed the scenic overlook at the top with excellent views of some of Colorado’s highest peaks, but Independence Ghost Town and the Grottos Trail were both highlights of the day for us. We visited Independence Pass while on our Epic Wild West Road trip.

visit-independence ghost town

Independence Ghost Town was a gold mining town that was abandoned during a harsh winter in the late 1880s. Today, it is an archaeological site that can be visited while traveling Independence Pass.

We arrived on a beautiful summer day to a meadow filled with colorful wildflowers and dazzling views of mountain peaks. Several of the town’s buildings have been carefully preserved and we enjoyed following the self-guided tour throughout the ghost town. The trail is easy to follow and there are not many trees so it is fun to let the kids run around and explore on their own while still having them in sight. There are no restrooms or picnic tables in this area.

visit-the grottos trail

The Grottos Trail area has several picnic tables and restrooms alongside the Roaring Fork River. The restrooms are heavily used and occasionally lacking in both toilet paper and hand sanitizer so you may want to plan ahead and bring your own just in case. Parking space is limited, but we did not have to wait long to get a great parking spot.

Just off of the main parking lot is access to the three hiking trails. We took the trail to the ice caves. Even while visiting in July, there was ice in the caves. The kids loved climbing on the large boulders and rock formations along the trail. It was an easy hike and soon we we found the cascading waterfalls. The rushing water is moving fast so be sure to have children within reach or sight depending on their age. The area is beautiful and peaceful. It was a highlight of our day on Independence Pass.

visit-the scenic overlook

The scenic overlook at the top of Independence Pass offers stunning views of Mt. Elbert and La Plata peak among many others. There is a paved trail from the parking area to the overlook. Be sure to dress in layers and drink plenty of water. This area is at a very high altitude and it may be cold and windy. There is a beautiful alpine lake and several trails leading from the parking area out into the wilderness. Restrooms are provided.

where to learn more

There are many other opportunities for outdoor recreation along Independence Pass. If we were to return, we would love to spend more time camping in the National Forest campgrounds, hiking areas like Lost Man Trail, making a stop at the Devil’s Punchbowl, or backpacking in the wilderness areas. Twin Lakes would also be a great place to relax and unwind for a few days. You could easily spend a week or two (or an entire summer) exploring the area. If you are short on vacation time like us, you can have a great experience at Independence Pass in only one or two days.

For more information check out this Aspen Chamber of Commerce post about the area.

Interested in taking a road trip to Independence Pass? Check out my post detailing our all-time favorite wild west family road trip-Moab to Denver.

Have you visited Independence Pass? What are your favorite things to do in the area? Leave a comment and tell us about it.