Log In 

Maroon Lake Trailhead

?PARKING RESERVATION REQUIRED
You must book in-advance to get an overnight parking permit at the Maroon Lake trailhead and there are a limited number available. They do have a "Midnight-to-Midnight" permit which allows you to drive to the trailhead between midnight and 8am and hike the same day, leaving by midnight. Please visit this page for more information.
?CAMPING RESERVATION REQUIRED
A reservation is required to pack in and camp near Crater Lake and permits are small in number. If you are lucky enough to get a wilderness camp permit, you still have to reserve overnight parking, or ride the shuttle between 8am-5pm, or get dropped off outside of the 8am-5pm window. If you are unable to get a camp permit, you'll have to day-hike and still deal with parking or get dropped off early in the morning. Check for wilderness camping permits at recreation.gov. For reference, check out the Overnight Permit Zone Map
  
5/24/2017
Posted On: 5/25/2017 By: BillMiddlebrook
Info: Road open to Maroon Lake!
 
5/4/2017
Posted On: 5/5/2017 By: One Sierra Charlie
Info: Road is gated 6 miles below Maroon Lake, but is dry all but the last half mile.
 
4/25/2016
Posted On: 4/26/2016 By: WillRobnett
Info: Road closed approx 6 miles from the Maroon Lake. Freeze/thaw cycles on the road consistent up to the day-use parking. Full snow coverage 1.5 miles from the lake. Coverage is 2 feet deep at Maroon Lake. Alpine start, brought snowshoes and didn‘t need them. Gaiters were good to have at the lake.
 
8/27/2015
Posted On: 9/1/2015 By: HikerGuy
Info: Arrived at the welcome station around 5:30-5:45, a ranger was still there collecting the entrance fee ($10). She directed me to the overnight parking lot. There is NO sleeping in your vehicle at either the day lot or overnight lot, clearly signed. I spoke with other hikers later on that they were able to sleep in their vehicle in the lower overflow lots and no signs were posted there. As soon as I reached Maroon Lake, I was approached by a ranger and asked if I had a bear canister, I did. Another couple hoping to start the Four Pass Loop were turned away because they did not have a hard-sided canister, I felt bad for them. I was also instructed to camp either south of Crater Lake or up in Minnehaha Gulch, I chose the former. My car was parked for three nights in the overnight lot and was not molested by any critters.
 
6/21/2015
Posted On: 6/22/2015 By: yingyangsoup89
Info: Road open to trailhead. $10 access fee. We car camped in the overnight lot just below the main lot that everyone parks at when they visit Maroon Lake. Snow-free until above the garbage chute. We saw 2 porcupines on the trail early AM so be on the lookout!
 
5/21/2015
Posted On: 5/23/2015 By: SoCool
Info: Rd to Maroon Lake is open. You are supposed to pay $10 per vehicle at the self pay station just past the (empty) entrance booth. The $6 bus will begin mid-June.
 
5/7/2015
Posted On: 5/7/2015 By: Hypersnow
Info: Road is clear to the parking lot; gate will open Thursday afternoon sometime. Might even open Wednesday evening if the county finishes the cleanup early...
 
8/19/2014
Posted On: 8/26/2014 By: dhstamp
Info: The trailhead is closed to ALL cars (not just dayhikers) between 9 am and 5 pm. No exceptions for overnight hikers. If you show up between 9 and 5, you‘ll be sent back to park at Aspen Highlands and take the bus!
 
7/6/2014
Posted On: 7/8/2014 By: Eagle Eye
Info: Just an FYI there is a sign posted on the west side of Maroon Lake stating there was a bear incident in that area on 6/29/2014. That was all the sign said.
 
5/28/2014
Posted On: 5/29/2014 By: freeinthehills
Info: Road still open and not closing... snow about half way to Crater lake. Would advise shoes if walking in the wee hours of the morning. If you‘re going to just walk around, may god help your soul. you will be smitten by post hole
 
5/23/2014
Posted On: 5/23/2014 By: dholm
Info: Maroon Lake Rd open. We saw a bear and what I swear were two mountains lions along the road.
 
5/14/2014
Posted On: 5/14/2014 By: Hypersnow
Info: Road will open sometime Thursday morning 5/15 (before noon). Parking area will be cleared and a couple restrooms open.
 
5/6/2014
Posted On: 5/6/2014 By: Hypersnow
Info: Road melted to west maroon. Can ride a bike that far, 18" +/- snow covering most of the road further on. Official opening May 22, but my guess is the snow will be melted out by next weekend. If that‘s the case, the gate will probably get opened earlier.
 
8/2/2013
Posted On: 8/3/2013 By: kullpeak
Info: Note that the trail up the East Slope of South Maroon has been changed. The old trail just past the bent tree has been obliterated. A new trail junction is supposedly 1/4 mile towards Crater Lake - though we never saw it. Keep a watchful eye if you are going up soon.
 
6/1/2013
Posted On: 6/3/2013 By: IHikeLikeAGirl
Info: Bring something to ward off porcupines (can't speak for the marmots). Spent the night in the overnight parking lot and (4 times) had to chase off a porcupine (who was gnawing on my car)...and it would not scare off easily. Rocking the car, loud noises, lights, etc. didn't work. Had to nudge and prod the little guy with a stick several times before it would scamper off...only to return as soon as I dozed off again. Crawled up into my engine twice, also. Last year, I wrapped my car in chicken wire. That did the trick and wasn't hard to do, even by myself. The people next to me were up all night chasing off a persistent porcupine, while I slept like a baby. BobbyFinn and KatieFinn brought granulated coyote urine. Worked for them and they have never had any issues.
 
1

This page is only available to registered 14ers.com users. If you don't have an account, you can register in the forum.

Log In_