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Located just outside Aspen, Colorado, Silver Queen Campground is hemmed in by aspen groves, a short walk from Maroon Creek, with views of 14,018 foot Pyramid Peak.
The campground sits at an elevation of 8,460 feet, allowing guests to experience warm summer days and cool evenings with probable afternoon thunderstorms. Come prepared for changing weather conditions. Snow is possible even at the peak of summer.
For hikers and backpackers, the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area epitomizes the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Starting from the Deadly Bells Trailhead at Maroon Lake, the West Maroon Trail gains elevation through aspen groves and evergreens, traverses boulder fields, crosses streams, and leads hikers through high-elevation (10,000+ feet) mountain passes. Climbing through alpine terrain, backpackers will find high mountain lakes and a smattering of wildflowers in mid-summer. Check specific regulations for camping in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area.
For day hikers and horseback riders, nearby Maroon Creek Trail offers a less crowded alternative to viewing the Maroon Bells, Pyramid Peak and the entire Maroon valley. The gentle, flat terrain offers scenic stops that are great for picnicking.
Silver Queen Campground has five campsites available for advanced reservation which are able to accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs. Sites are equipped with picnic tables, vault toilets, food storage lockers (bear boxes), campfire rings and drinking water. Electrical hook-ups are not available. Horses are not allowed in the campground.
The Maroon Bells Scenic Area is surrounded by the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. This wilderness is one of the five original Colorado wilderness areas designated by the 1964 Wilderness Act. Its scenic value exudes from its aspen groves, meadows of wildflowers, and dark forests of spruce and fir that rise up from the valleys to alpine landscapes. Here, bighorn sheep, pika, and ptarmigan find habitat above timberline.
Towering over glacial valleys at over 14,000 feet in elevation, the Maroon Bells are the most recognizable peaks in the Elk Mountains. The Maroon Bells are unique in the Rockies in that they are made up of metamorphic sedimentary mudstone that gives the peaks their maroon color and unstable nature for climbing.
The nearby resort town of Aspen is a popular destination for visitors to the area. From downhill skiing and world-class fly fishing, to dining and resorts, there is a multitude of outdoor and indoor opportunities in this mountain town.
Coming to Aspen via Independence Pass: Take Highway 82 West from downtown Aspen, 1 mile to the roundabout (rotary). From the roundabout, take Maroon Creek Road 4.7 miles to the Maroon Bells Welcome Station. Continue past the Welcome Station 1.5 miles. Silver Queen Campground is on the left hand side. Silver Queen Campground is approximately 6.5 miles from Highway 82 at the roundabout.
The campground is located in Maroon creek road. Take the first exit (right exit on the roundabout if you are entering from Glenwood Springs). This is the second site after the forest services entrance. If you pay when you arrive you pay $15 for camping and $5 for entrance fee/night. We stayed for 3 nights and paid $30($15+3*$5), you can also reserve the site by calling the FS number. If you book it through online booking be sure to select 3/4 day entrance and one day camping. No site have access to electricity/individual restrooms. A common restroom is available which is close by (100ft). The campsite is very close to river and you can hear it at night. Maroon Bells is 6/7 miles away from here and you can park near the bells and use trail nearby (1 mile/3.6 mile) to go close to the lake and mountain. best time to visit the bells is morning 5am-7am and 4:45pm and till the light last.
Overall the experience was nice.
Other sites are Silver Bar, Maroon Creek, Silver Queen these are on the same route as Silver bells and will need a day pass to enter.
Excellent and quiet campground. We stayed in site #3 for two nights a couple weeks ago and there was no one in most of the sites so it was practically our own. I enjoyed our site being close to the CLEANEST pit toilets ever (21 weeks pregnant requires more bathroom trips) and the rush of the creek is peaceful. Our dogs also enjoyed watching the fox that visited the open sites nearby. You also can't beat being able to access the Maroon Bells when you want. It was one reason I booked the site. I would love to be here in the peak fall season!
