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Outdoors Highway 82, Aspen

Independence Pass

An outdoor spot in Highway 82, Aspen, free to visit and worth about 2 hours. Best time to go: Jun–Sep.

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Independence Pass in Highway 82, Aspen
Photo: Mark Donoher from ???. Cropped and color-corrected by Daniel Case prior to uploa · CC BY 2.0 · license

Why go

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

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 Grottos Trail, 7.3 mi away as the crow flies.

Type
Outdoors · Nature
Neighborhood
Highway 82
Price
Free
Time needed
2 hr
Best time
Jun–Sep

Nearby

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

  1. 1
    Grottos Trail

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

    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 · 15 mi straight-line
  3. 3
    Aspen Art Museum

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

    Sight · 15 mi straight-line
  4. 4
    Ajax Tavern

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

    Food · 15 mi straight-line
  5. 5
    Silver Queen Gondola

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

    Activity · 15 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 · 15 mi straight-line

On these curated routes

Independence Pass 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 Independence Pass itself, we suggest: Jun–Sep.

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 Independence Pass, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.

Address
Almont, CO 81210, USA
Coordinates
39.10827, -106.56451
Destination
Aspen, Colorado

Independence Pass: quick answers

How much time do you need at Independence Pass?

Plan on about 2 hours at Independence Pass. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.

When is the best time to visit Independence Pass?

Our pick: Jun–Sep. Insider tip: Hwy 82 over the pass closes for winter (early Nov to late May).

Is Independence Pass free?

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

Where is Independence Pass?

Independence Pass is at Almont, CO 81210, USA, in Highway 82. The Google Maps and Apple Maps links on this page open it for directions.

Which TripsCircle routes include Independence Pass?

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

Add Independence Pass 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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Also in Aspen

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