Aspen, Colorado is by far one of the prettiest places in the state of Colorado! Driving to Aspen you either have to go through gorgeous Independence Pass or through the Valley which includes Glenwood Springs and Carbondale. If going to Aspen, you really need to stop in these towns as well. Famous for the million dollar homes, ski resorts, and aspen trees; it is easy to spend a ton of money on a trip here. There is a way though to travel to this fancy, beautiful tourist town without breaking the bank. Here are 15 FREE things to do in Aspen, Colorado and all through the Aspen valley:
1. John Denver Sanctuary (Aspen)
The top free thing to do in Aspen, Colorado is this breathtaking sanctuary! A beautiful park alongside the river and surrounded by gardens. There are rocks with quotes on them and rocks with songs on them. There are art statues along the way and even a little area for kids to play in the water. Best seasons to go are summer and fall. Summer is when there are flowers everywhere and it is so green. Summer is also when the ducklings are born and so you will most likely see them in the ponds.
Fall is a colorful wonderland! The trails are surrounded by aspen trees and so you will be covered by beautiful yellow, orange, and red leaves of fall.
Kids will love this park too. My kiddos love climbing the rocks, playing in the river, and walking across the bridges. It is a beautiful scenic walk of Aspen and you might even see some wildlife! One time that we went we actually saw a black bear cub! A must-see stop in Aspen, though parking is a nightmare. There is limited free 2hr parking over at the Herron Park and if you take the trail from there it will lead you straight to the sanctuary. Make sure you jam out to some of John Denver’s music beforehand to get you in the mood!
2. Redstone Coke Ovens (Redstone)
A free attraction on the roadside that shows some of Redstone’s history. These remnants were built in 1899 to burn the impurities out of coal. It is a historic stop of beauty in the mountains. It sure was a fascinating stop for my toddlers, unfortunately they are for looking only and not for going in. Parking it around back right by the Redstone Horse Stables. No restrooms, just fyi!
3. Doc Hollidays Gravesite (Glenwood Springs)
The museum about Doc Holiday is $5, but the actual gravesite is free to go and see! Just a short 0.7 mile hike alongside the back of Glenwood Springs. It is a super easy trail that is slightly steep, with a beautiful view of the town. The cemetery is set up on a hillside and tucked in the back by the flagpole is Doc Holliday’s grave. There is no parking lot, just parallel park in the neighborhood at the trailhead.
About 3/4ths of the way up you will pass Annie’s Wishing Tree! A local resident had cancer and everyday she would walk up the trail, write a wish, a dream, a name, or a prayer on a piece of paper and using a ribbon would tie it to the tree. Over time the children’s hospital would send her wishes to tie to the tree. That woman has beat cancer, but the tradition of adding wishes and prayers to the tree still goes on. This tree is a symbolism of happiness and hope, so grab some ribbon, write down your wish, and add it to the tree! Such a fun free thing to do in Aspen, Colorado.
4. Play in the River (Two Rivers Park or Veltus Park) (Glenwood Springs)
A river lines the entire valley and it is beautiful! On a hot day it is super tempting to go jump in and enjoy the coolness. Not gonna lie, it is freezing cold water due to being water from the melted snow and ice from the mountains. I would not advice jumping it cause it is so cold, but it is still fun to play in! There are 2 parks in Glenwood Springs that are right on the river, Two Rivers Park and Veltus Park. Each of these parks have small beach areas where the rocks extend farther into the river to calm the water by the beach. Kids can swim in it, play in it, and even build sand castles. My kids love to run through the water, but especially to throw rocks in. The river flows all through the valley and is a common free thing to do in Aspen, Colorado.
Essentials for a Colorado beach day:
- Beach Sand Toys– it may not be fine sand like an ocean beach, but still sand castle material!
- Sunscreen– the majority of the river you are in direct sunlight and the higher elevation will cause you to burn quicker. I love spray sunscreen, because they smell so much better and don’t cause your skin to be white and greasy from the lotion. If you are looking for a more shady beach Veltus Park is perfect, but there is a harder current there.
- Kid Swim Float Vest– this is a river with a pretty intense current at some parts, as a mom it is a great reassurance to have your kid in a swim vest, just in case they slip off a rock into a stronger section of the water.
- Beach Towel– it is cold water, so make sure you have a thick and long towel to wrap up in afterwards.
5. Admire artwork all through Carbondale
Carbondale is known for its creative district. Walk or drive down the sidewalk all throughout town and you will see all varieties of different statues, paintings, and artwork.
6. Mushroom Rock Trail (Carbondale)
When you reach the intersection to turn into town, turn the opposite direction into a giant parking lot, strap on your hiking shoes, and hike the 2.2 miles up to mushroom rock. Prepare to come home covered in red dirt, because this is one dirty trail, but it is absolutely breathtaking! All along the trail you will keep getting a better and better view of Mt Sopris.
It is not necessarily a hard trail, but practically the whole trail is going up and higher in elevation. My toddlers were able to make it almost to the top, before complaining that they wanted to be carried. It is pretty shaded the majority of the hike so no worries about getting burned. Make sure you wear really good hiking shoes though, because it is very rocky and if not in the proper footwear, your feet are gonna fell every rock! Some of the most popular uses of this trail, besides admiring the rocks and view, are mountain running and mountain biking.
7. Roaring Fork Trail
A 40 mile paved trail from Glenwood Springs to Aspen. It is perfect for horseback riding, biking, or even just walking. It is heavily trafficked, mostly by bikers. Biking is the absolute best way to enjoy the trail as you will see the most! On this trail you will see beautiful mansions, waterfalls, bridges, riversides, and animals. Experience the whole valley on one trail.
8. Grottos Ice Caves (Aspen)
In Independence Pass, hike the 0.6 mile hike to the ice caves. It is a quick and beautiful hike to some amazing caves. If you go closer around the winter time you will see the frozen water all around, but even during the spring you will still see some ice most likely. It is really a cool place to go and a great short hike for kids.
9. Crystal River Fish Hatchery (Carbondale)
If you have kids they will love this free thing to do in Aspen, Colorado! This small hatchery is filled with beautiful rainbow trout eager for you to feed them. There is a 25 cent food machine as you first walk down to the fish tanks. Get a hand full of food and when you throw it in the water you will see a crazy feeding frenzy! The fish get so excited that some literally jump out of the water. You don’t have to feed them to enjoy this sight though. It is still so fun to see the fish.
10. Cardiff Coke Ovens (Glenwood Springs)
Beautiful historical ovens built into the side of the mountains. They are very similar to the Redstone ones, but these ones you can actually go in and out of them. They are beautiful and so well preserved. The trail is only as long as the coke ovens and is very small. It is so tucked back toward the mountain that there are quite a bit of wildlife here. While we were there we even saw deer!
11. Hays Creek Falls (Redstone)
Right off the side of the road in Redstone, there is a beautiful waterfall tucked back into the canyon. It isn’t a hike to get to it, but you can walk to get closer to it. You can get very really close to the falls where the mist of the water will soak you! It is a beautiful sight literally hidden in the canyon. There isn’t a parking lot to get here, but a gravel shoulder at the side of the road.
12. Mill Street Fountain (Aspen)
You will for sure want to walk around the shops and stores in Aspen! While there, there is a fun splash pad for kids to run in and out of water that jets out of the ground in random patterns. A perfect and fun activity for kids on a hot day. They go all day and all night! Fun for parents too; to have a fun free thing to do in Aspen, Colorado for little kids.
13. Penny Hot Springs (Redstone)
Wanting to experience the hot springs, but not wanting to pay a ton of money for it? This is a beautiful hot springs right off the side of the road. It is really steep to get down to the hot springs from the parking lot, but it is worth it. Handmade pools are made right at the riverbank to perfectly keep in the hot water and separate it from the cold of the river. Best part is, is that you kind of have control of the temperature of your pool. If it is too hot, let in some of the river water, and if it is too cold, seal up the sides with more rocks. A beautiful and natural hot springs that is completely free!
14. Drive through Independence Pass (Aspen)
One of the most highly suggest free thing to do in Aspen, Colorado is to take a drive through the mountains to admire the view! This scenic drive is full of trails! It is a gorgeous drive through the mountains with incredible views. Keep an eye out for elk, moose, bears, and bald eagles! It is filled with wildlife and wildflowers. It is beautiful in all seasons! In the winter it is closed, but in the spring and summer it is green and filled with flowers, and in the fall it is bursting with color! All of the aspen trees are covered in yellow, orange, and red leaves and it is so amazing! Just a suggestion, if you are driving during the fall season, the pass gets very busy; so the best time to drive it is early in the morning on a week day instead of a weekend.
You will want these things if you are driving through the pass:
- Warm Coat-not a jacket, not a long sleeve shirt, I am talkin a warm thick coat! Even in the summer time once you hit the peak of that mountain and get out to get a picture of the view, the super frigid air of the high elevation will hit you hard. It is cold!!
- Barf Bags– even the strongest stomach can be turned on this drive. It is a twisty mountain pass and if someone isn’t looking out the window, they will leave a vomit present in your car!
- Camera– it is breathtaking no matter what season you drive through! I love the Canon T7! It comes with an extended lenses too, so that you can get a better view and picture.
- Binoculars– there is wildlife all around! You will see bald eagles soaring in the sky, mountain sheep jumping on rocks, and moose grazing in fields. If you want to truly appreciate it, invest in a nice pair of binoculars!
15. Devils Punch Bowl (Aspen)
In Independence Pass there is a canyon swimming hole that is breathtaking! Bring a swim suit and a towel and cliff dive off of the 25 foot cliff. It is a moderate 2.2 mile hike there and back again. Not gonna lie the water will be cold, but it will definitely be a rush!
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