Aspen, Colorado is by far one of the prettiest places in the state of Colorado! A couple years after my husband and I got married we were lucky to live in the gorgeous Aspen area with our 2 small little kids. I spent so much time exploring this area, hiking, swimming, and enjoying the beauty.
There are 2 things I felt when we moved here though. First there wasn’t much to do with little kids in the area and too it was a very expensive place to be. 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 surrounding town:
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FREE Things To Do In Aspen, Colorado:
Enjoy the Gardens at John Denver Sanctuary (Aspen)
Our favorite free thing to do in Aspen, Colorado is this breathtaking John Denver Sanctuary! A beautiful park alongside the river surrounded by gardens. There are rocks with quotes on them and rocks with songs on them sung by John Denver. There are art statues along the way and even a little area for kids to play in the water. Each season is so beautiful and unique.
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 saw a black bear cub! It is a must-see in Aspen!
Tip: 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.
Location: 470 Rio Grande Pl, Aspen, CO 81611
Hike Around The Redstone Coke Ovens (Redstone)
This free attraction is right along the road on your way to Redstone. This little roadside attraction is are remnants 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.
Tips: Parking it around back right by the Redstone Horse Stables. No restrooms, just fyi!
Location: 17807-17949, CO-133, Carbondale, CO 81623
Hike To Doc Holliday’s Gravesite (Glenwood Springs)
The museum about Doc Holiday is $5, but hiking to his grave is free and fun! Just a short 0.7 mile hike alongside the back of Glenwood Springs. It is an upward, short trail that is slightly steep, with a beautiful view of the town. The cemetery is set up on a hillside, tucked in the back by the flagpole is Doc Holliday’s grave.
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!
Tips: There is no parking lot, just parallel park in the neighborhood at the trailhead.
Location: Bennett Ave & 12th St Ditch, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Trail Information: 0.7 miles
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. And guess what you can! 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.
Location: Veltus Park- 901 Midland Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Two Rivers Park- 740 Devereux Rd, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
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.
Admire the art museum in 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. Not only is there art all along the roadside, there is even a free art museum you can visit!
The Powers Art Center is an artistic looking building with a giant pool in front of it. While there isn’t much for kids to do here, during certain days of the month they have kid art days. On these days not only can you walk through and enjoy the art, but outdoors they have teach different art projects to kids. So an art museum can be fun for kids.
Location: 13110 CO-82, Carbondale, CO 81623
Hours: Tues-Fri 11am-4pm, Sat 11am-3pm, CLOSED SUN-MON
Hike To Mushroom Rock Trail (Carbondale)
When you reach the intersection to turn into the town of Carbondale, turn the opposite direction into a giant parking lot, strap on your hiking shoes, and hike the 2.2 miles up to mushroom rock and back. 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, so a hiking carrier would be a good idea to bring. 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 feel every rock! Some of the most popular uses of this trail, besides admiring the rocks and view, are mountain running and mountain biking.
Location: 100 County Rd 107, Carbondale, CO 81623
Trail Information:
Hike or Bike the Roaring Fork Trail
Roaring Fork Trail is a 40 mile paved trail from Glenwood Springs to Aspen. Now I know what you are thinking there is no way I can hike 40 miles with kids! The fun part of this trail is doing it piece by piece. Throughout the trail there are parking areas for you to park you car and hike a distance and then hike back. This is a several day fun exeperience.
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 in just one trail.
Climb Inside the Grottos Ice Caves (Aspen)
One of the coolest hikes along Independence Pass, is to the ice caves. The hike is only 0.6 mile hike to the ice caves, around to the cascade falls, and along the river back to the your vehicle. It may be a short hike, but it has so much to to it.
Once you reach the large boulders on the trail, you will find a small cave opening that will take you down into the caves. It is a climb to get in and out of these caves, so use caution with kids or those with health issues. Getting in the cave is a lot easier than getting out, just take note of that as you are going in. You don’t have to go in to get a view of the ice caves, if you walk around the boulders on the trail, it will lead you to a view of the inside of the caves.
If you can go in though it is a really amazing sight! If you go in early spring you will see ice everywhere (use caution in your steps because it is so slippery). During late spring and summer you will see more rocks than ice, but it will still have some. It is a really cool hike!
Location: 26692 CO-82, Aspen, CO 81611
Trail Information:
Feed Fish at the Crystal River Fish Hatchery (Carbondale)
If you have kids this will be their favorite 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 all the fish.
Hike to the Cardiff Coke Ovens (Glenwood Springs)
Glenwood Springs has another group of beautiful historical ovens built into the side of the mountains. They are very similar to the Redstone ones, but with 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!
Location: 1131-1175 Airport Rd, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Enjoy the Beauty of 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 necessarily, but you do have to jump some rocks 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.
Tips: Water shoes would be ideal to wear, the only way to really see the falls is to climb through the creek to see the waterfall around the bend.
Location:
Play at the 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.
Relax in Penny Hot Springs (Redstone)
If you are wanting to experience the hot springs that this area is so famous for, but not wanting to pay a ton of money for it; here is a hot springs for you! 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!
For more information about Penny Hot Springs, click here.
Location:
Take a Scenic 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! And it is so highly suggested for good reason! It is beautiful!!
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, wildflowers, cascading rivers, giant rocks, and leftover snow.
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!
Tips: 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!
Ride a Gondola to Snowmass Village
Another fun free thing to do near Aspen is to ride the Gondola’s in Snowmass Village. The Snowmass Village mall is broken up into two parts and each section is accessible by way of gondola. The mall is incredible and so much fun to walk around. There are gardens, murals, photo ops, and of course so many stores and restaurants.
As you take the gondola to the lower half of the mall there is a playground, splash pad, patio games, and more fun restaurants and stores.
Location: 105 Daly Ln, Snowmass Village, CO 81615
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