Conundrum Hot Springs
98–104°F
Pool temperatures
8.5mi
Hike, one way
Paid
Fees apply
Conundrum Hot Springs is a set of primitive soaking pools at about 11,200 ft near treeline in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. It takes an 8.5-mile hike up Conundrum Creek Trail from near Aspen. Water in the pools is about 98 to 104 F. Overnight camping is by advance permit only, and bear canisters are required.
01 · Before you go
Plan your visit
What to expect on the ground: rules, facilities and when to go.
- No dogs
- Camping nearbyAbout 20 designated campsites in the Conundrum Hot Springs Permit Zone. Campsites need an advance permit. Campfires are prohibited at the designated sites. Bear-resistant canisters are required.
- PoolsSeveral pools, reports range from 2 to 3 main pools of varying size and temperature
- BusyJuly to September is the recommended season.
- HoursNo set hours. Day hikers should plan to leave before dark.
- Reservations required
- SeasonBest July to September. From early October to late June the trail and campsites are snow covered and the trailhead is inaccessible. Avalanche hazard in the valley.
- FeesDay use needs no permit or fee. Overnight stays in the permit zone need an advance Recreation.gov reservation. One guide reports $10 per person per night from May 1 to Oct 31 (kids 16 and under free), plus a $6 processing fee per permit. Winter permits carry the processing fee only. This is not confirmed on the current USFS page.
Best time to go. July to September is the recommended season. Late June and early July can bring high creek levels and snow on the upper trail. Arrive early morning or late afternoon to avoid the busiest times, or visit in the shoulder seasons for more solitude.
02 · Live
Conditions
Access status, weather and hazards. Closure feeds are checked automatically every morning.
Access
No closures reported
No closure, fire or weather warning found in Forest Service, wildfire (NIFC) or National Weather Service feeds. That isn't confirmation it's open, so check with White River National Forest.
Checked 14 Oct · updated daily
Overnight permit and bear canister rules apply. Dogs are prohibited from Silver Dollar Pond to Triangle Pass, including the hot springs. Overnight permits have been required since 2018, and the per-night fee came with the 2023 changes.
Third creek crossing can be hazardous in spring runoff. Avalanche hazard and snow in the valley from October to June. High altitude (about 11,200 ft). Bear activity, so bear canisters are required. Long 17-mile round trip with about 2,500 ft of gain.
03 · Route
Getting there
Nearest town: Aspen. Then a 8.5-mile hike, one way.
- 1
From the roundabout at the edge of Aspen, take Castle Creek Road about 5 miles. Turn right onto Conundrum Road and follow it about 1.1 miles to the Conundrum Creek Trailhead.
- 2
Hike Conundrum Creek Trail #1981 about 8.5 miles and 2,500 ft up the valley. There are three creek crossings.
- 3
The first two have log bridges. The third is a wade, and it can be hazardous in spring runoff.
- 4
The pools sit just left of the trail, across a log bridge over the creek. Trailers are not allowed at the trailhead.
39.0120, −106.8910 · nearest town Aspen, CO
These coordinates are for the spring itself, not the parking area. Navigate to the trailhead named in the directions.
04 · Where to stay
Stay nearby
Start early and stay close. Places to stay near Aspen, from campgrounds to cabins.
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