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Outdoors Highway 82, Aspen

Grottos Trail

An outdoor spot in Highway 82, Aspen, free to visit and worth about an hour. Best time to go: Afternoon.

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Grottos Trail in Highway 82, Aspen
Photo: Jahjahfue (Jahjahfue) · Google

Why go

Short loop to smooth river-carved rock caves and cascades on the Roaring Fork.

It is one of 18 curated places we feature in Aspen, alongside 5 activities, 4 places to eat and 3 outdoor spots. The closest of our other picks is Independence Pass, 7.3 mi away as the crow flies.

Type
Outdoors · Nature
Neighborhood
Highway 82
Price
Free
Time needed
1 hr
Best time
Afternoon

Nearby

The 6 closest curated picks in Aspen, measured as straight-line distance.

  1. 1
    Independence Pass

    12,095-foot Continental Divide crossing with short tundra walks at the top.

    Outdoors · 7.3 mi straight-line
  2. 2
    The Little Nell

    Ski-in, ski-out hotel at the base of the Silver Queen Gondola on Aspen Mountain.

    Stay · 7.9 mi straight-line
  3. 3
    Ajax Tavern

    Slopeside patio at the base of the gondola, known for its truffle fries and burger.

    Food · 7.9 mi straight-line
  4. 4
    Silver Queen Gondola

    Ride from downtown to the 11,212-foot summit of Aspen Mountain in about 15 minutes.

    Activity · 7.9 mi straight-line
  5. 5
    Aspen Art Museum

    Free contemporary art museum with a rooftop cafe and mountain views.

    Sight · 7.9 mi straight-line
  6. 6
    Aspen Mountain

    Ski mountain rising straight from downtown Aspen, reached by the Silver Queen Gondola, with no beginner runs.

    Activity · 7.9 mi straight-line

On these curated routes

Grottos Trail is a stop on our Colorado Rockies route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.

More outdoor spots in Aspen

2 more curated outdoor spots in Aspen. See the full Aspen guide.

When to go

Average daily highs in Aspen run from 30°F in January to 80°F in July; April is usually the wettest month. For Grottos Trail itself, we suggest: Afternoon.

Modelled monthly averages for Aspen from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full Aspen weather by month.

Getting there

Map links open a live search for Grottos Trail, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.

Address
26692 CO-82, Aspen, CO 81611, USA
Coordinates
39.11739, -106.70055
Destination
Aspen, Colorado

Grottos Trail: quick answers

How much time do you need at Grottos Trail?

Plan on about an hour at Grottos Trail. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.

When is the best time to visit Grottos Trail?

Our pick: Afternoon. Insider tip: Rocks are slick; skip the ice cave scramble if wet.

Is Grottos Trail free?

Yes, we list Grottos Trail as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.

Where is Grottos Trail?

Grottos Trail is at 26692 CO-82, Aspen, CO 81611, USA, in Highway 82. The Google Maps and Apple Maps links on this page open it for directions.

Which TripsCircle routes include Grottos Trail?

Grottos Trail appears on Colorado Rockies, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.

Add Grottos Trail to your crew's plan

Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Aspen.

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Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.