My first adventure in Colorado had to be something special. Since I was staying in Carbondale, I decided there was no better way to start my trip than by watching the sunrise at Maroon Bells, one of the most photographed places in the state.
The adventure began long before sunrise.
My alarm went off at 4:30 AM. As tempting as it was to stay in bed, I knew the early start would be worth it. I grabbed my camera, put on a warm jacket, and hit the road while most of Colorado was still asleep.
I chose to drive instead of taking the shuttle. During the summer, the shuttle from Aspen Highlands is a popular and convenient option for visitors, but it doesn’t operate early enough for sunrise. Driving allowed me to experience the mountains waking up and arrive before the crowds. If you want to catch sunrise at Maroon Bells by car, you’ll need an advance vehicle reservation, and they can be surprisingly difficult to secure. The good news is that arriving before 8:00 AM gives you access to those magical early morning moments that many visitors miss.
One piece of advice: fill up your gas tank the night before.
I learned this the hard way. As I started my drive from Carbondale, I realized my fuel level was much lower than I would have liked. There aren’t many places you’ll want to stop during such an early morning drive, and the last thing you need is worrying about running out of gas while driving through mountain roads in the dark. It added a little excitement to the trip that I could have done without!
The drive itself turned out to be part of the adventure.
The roads were quiet, and as the darkness slowly gave way to dawn, wildlife started to appear. I spotted several foxes along the roadside, calmly exploring the fields before disappearing into the brush. A little farther along, I was lucky enough to see moose. Seeing these incredible animals in their natural habitat before sunrise was an unexpected highlight of the morning and made the journey feel even more like a true Colorado experience.
As I got closer to Maroon Bells, I noticed something interesting. Only a handful of people had arrived before sunrise. Most visitors were photographers carrying tripods, quietly setting up their equipment, while others simply stood by the lake waiting for the first light. The atmosphere was peaceful and almost silent.
If you’re planning a sunrise visit, don’t underestimate the cold. Even during warmer months, the temperatures can feel surprisingly chilly before dawn. I was glad I packed a warm coat, and I’d recommend bringing gloves and a hot drink if you can.
Then came the moment everyone was waiting for.
The first rays of sunlight touched the peaks of Maroon Bells. Slowly, the mountains transformed from dark silhouettes into glowing shades of orange, pink, and gold. Their reflections shimmered across the calm waters of Maroon Lake, creating one of the most beautiful landscapes I’ve ever seen.
Photos don’t quite do it justice.
Standing there, surrounded by towering mountains and the quiet of an early Colorado morning, I realized why so many people make the effort to visit this place. The sunrise wasn’t just something to see—it was something to experience.
I stayed for quite a while after the sun came up. As the light changed, the mountains seemed to change with it. Every few minutes offered a different perspective and a different color palette. The crowds slowly began to grow as shuttle buses and later visitors arrived, but those early quiet moments felt like a private show put on by nature.
Planning Your Own Sunrise Visit
If you’re thinking about visiting Maroon Bells, here’s what I’d recommend:
Option 1: Drive (my choice)
- Reserve your vehicle pass well in advance.
- Arrive before 8:00 AM if you want to enjoy sunrise and avoid larger crowds.
- Fill your gas tank the night before.
- Watch for wildlife on the roads, especially around dawn.
Option 2: Shuttle Bus
- The shuttle from Aspen Highlands is a great option for daytime visits.
- It’s convenient and helps reduce traffic in the valley.
- However, it won’t get you there in time for sunrise.
What to Bring
- Warm coat or layers.
- Camera or phone for photos.
- Coffee or a hot drink.
- Water and snacks.
- Patience and plenty of time to simply enjoy the scenery.
Looking back, I couldn’t have picked a better first adventure in Colorado. Waking up at 4:30 AM, driving through the quiet mountain roads from Carbondale, spotting foxes and moose, and watching the sun rise over Maroon Bells made for an unforgettable start to my trip.
Sometimes the best travel experiences aren’t the ones where everything goes perfectly. They’re the ones where you’re a little tired, a little worried about your gas tank, bundled up against the cold, and rewarded with a sunrise that makes every bit of effort worthwhile.
For me, Maroon Bells wasn’t just my first Colorado adventure. It was the perfect welcome to the Rocky Mountains, and a memory I’ll carry long after the trip is over.
