Whether you come for ski season or the long days of summer, Aspen skies are some of the best for sunsets. The downtown area is full of spectacular views as the sun makes its descent behind neighboring peaks.
Enjoy a multicolored show every evening from the ground level or way up high. We’ve curated this list specifically for the region, so you can catch those picturesque Colorado sunsets every night of the week. Here are five of the best places to watch the sunset in Aspen.
See also: The 7 Best Places to Watch the Sunset in San Diego
Top of the Ute Trail
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Ute Trail, Estes Park / Website
For beginner hikers and accomplished athletes alike, this trail is fun and rewarding. Conquer the 0.9-mile climb and enjoy the elevated peek. This spot is great if you’re hoping to photograph the bursting sky from above. The unobstructed views make the exercise worth it.
Top of Aspen Mountain
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601 E Dean Street / Website
Trek up the slopes of Aspen Mountain for a fantastic vantage point of the town and all of its surrounding peaks. Hikers will enjoy the journey to the summit, but those who wish to avoid a workout can hop on the gondola. Proclaimed as one of Aspen's most photographable spots, the views from up here are truly awe-inspiring.
Maroon Bells
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Maroon Creek Road (CR 13) / Website
Take a stroll along Maroon Lake for a picturesque view of the colorful sky. The combination of mountains and water looks as perfect as a default Windows background. There's a reason it is one of the most photographed spots in North America. Watch the sun crawl behind the mountain peaks and light up the sky in vivid pink, purple and orange hues. Try the Maroon Lake scenic trail for some of the best views of the sunset and its reflection in the lake. Please note, reservations are required in 2020.
Red Butte Trail
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Red Butte Drive / Website
Red butte Trail is great for those seeking Instagram likes and fresh air. This 0.6-mile trail is great for all ages and athletic levels. The alpine landscapes, vistas of downtown Aspen and glimpses of nearby mountaintops make this one of the top spots to spend sunset.
Smuggler Mountain Observation Deck
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403-405 Co Road 21 / Website
Smuggler Mountain Observation Deck was made for sunset chasers. Bask in the sunset's orange glow from the outlook just north of downtown Aspen. From here, the sky lights up in a beautiful rainbow of colors each evening. You can enjoy the great sights of Aspen from above at the observation deck just 1.4 miles up Smuggler Mountain Road.
Photography by: Joe Sohm/Visions of America
