The region surrounding Aspen, Colorado is one of the most visited in all of the state, and it is easy to see why. No matter the season of the year, Aspen is one of the most beautiful small towns in not only Colorado but the entire United States. Spring brings sun-drenched ski slopes, which give way to a bloom of crocus, daffodils, and Crab Apple Trees. The hiking trails start to appear from the depths of the deep snow that covered them all winter while bicyclists can ride to Maroon Bells. The melting snow also creates the best time for white water rafting, as the rivers are at their strongest.
![aspen_maroonbells-Colorado-Krystle-Blackburn](http://travel.resourcemagonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/aspen_maroonbells-Colorado-Krystle-Blackburn-1024x683.jpg)
No better place to sit back and enjoy the view than at Maroon Bells. Photo by Krystle Blackburn
Summer boasts some of the nicest temperatures in the Rocky Mountains, as a high in the 70s is common, making it ideal to take advantage of the miles of hiking trails in the region. At night, the Milky Way is bright in the dark sky, thanks to very little light pollution in the surrounding area. This makes the warm summer months ideal for astro photographers. The town hosts countless festivals, which draw worldwide visitors. Keep an eye on the events calendar to plan your summer trip to the mountain paradise.
![Capital Peak Milky Way Michael Bonocore](http://travel.resourcemagonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Capital-Peak-Milky-Way-Michael-Bonocore-1024x1158.jpg)
The Milky Way Seen From Capital Peak By Michael Bonocore
Autumn in Aspen is a photographer’s delight, as it hosts some of the finest fall colors in all of Colorado. The seemingly endless valleys of Aspen trees turn a bright yellow, which compliments the blue skies for photographers of all skill levels. While knowing the exact turning of the leaves is impossible to predict, the third week of September is usually a good time to aim for.
![Follow The Colors](http://travel.resourcemagonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Follow_The_Colors_Toby_Harriman-1024x640.jpg)
Aspen Colorado was made for road trips. Photo by Toby Harriman.
When people hear “Aspen”, they automatically think of winter, and for good reason. The region is home of some of the best, and most consistent, snow in all of the United States. While lift tickets have seen a sharp rise in price over recent years, if you plan to spend an extended time on the slopes, most resorts offer cheaper rates for the purchase of additional days.
Pristine powder and dramatic clouds also make Aspen an ideal time for photographers who are brave enough to endure the cold temperatures. With the average high of just above freezing (35°F) and the average low is a bone chilling 10°F, photographers should be prepared for the elements by dressing warmly and having a warm car and dry clothes nearby. New Year’s in Aspen is also well known for an incredible fireworks show, so be sure to get high on an overlook to capture the warm fireworks over the cool, snow covered ground.
No matter what time of year you decide to visit Aspen, you can be rest assured that you are experiencing one of the most beautiful and unique regions in North America, and the below photos prove it.
For more information on when to best visit Aspen, visit the Aspen Tourism website as well as the Colorado Tourism website.
Thank you to our photographer contributors to this story. Krystle Blackburn, Toby Harriman, Casey McCallister, Mark Gvazdinskas, Jason Hatfield, and Michael Bonocore.
![Aspen Colorado New Years 2015 photo by Toby Harriman.](http://travel.resourcemagonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Aspen_Colorado_New_Years_Toby_Harriman-1024x640.jpg)
New Years fireworks over Aspen. Photo by Toby Harriman.
![Captial Peak Michael Bonocore copy1](http://travel.resourcemagonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Captial-Peak-Michael-Bonocore-copy1-1024x683.jpg)
Fast moving clouds behind Capital Peak in the early morning light. Photo by Michael Bonocore.
![Maroon Bells Milky way](http://travel.resourcemagonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Maroon_Bells_Milky_way_Astro_Toby_Harriman-1024x692.jpg)
Maroon Bells Under The Milky Way By Toby Harriman
![Ashcroft Night Ghost Town](http://travel.resourcemagonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Ashcroft_Night_Ghost_Town_Toby_Harriman-1024x1536.jpg)
An empty cabin sits in the deep snow under a cloudless night in Ashcroft. Photo By Toby Harriman
![Capital Peak, just outside of Aspen, Colorado through a tent window](http://travel.resourcemagonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Casey-McCallister-Capital-Peak-Colorado-6-1024x683.jpg)
Capital Peak, just outside of Aspen, Colorado through a tent window. Photo By Casey McCallister.
![LincolnCreekTree_Mark-Gvazdinskas-](http://travel.resourcemagonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/LincolnCreekTree_Mark-Gvazdinskas--1024x1534.jpg)
Moody colors overtake the Lincoln Creek. Photo by Mark Gvazdinskas.
![Maroon Bells at Sunrise](http://travel.resourcemagonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Maroon_Bells_at_Sunrise_Toby_Harriman-1024x640.jpg)
The sunrise lights up the fast moving clouds at Maroon Bells. Photo by Toby Harriman.
![Casey McCallister Capital Peak Colorado 2](http://travel.resourcemagonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Casey-McCallister-Capital-Peak-Colorado-2-1024x1536.jpg)
Few places in Colorado are better to view the changing fall colors than Capital Peak. Photo by Casey McCallister.
![Fishing Maroon Bells Krystle Blackburn](http://travel.resourcemagonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Fishing-Maroon-Bells-Krystle-Blackburn-1024x683.jpg)
A fisherman casts a line in the shadow of Maroon Bells. Photo by Krystle Blackburn.
!["Capitol Peak a Splendor" Capitol Peak in all its glory after an autumn snow storm.](http://travel.resourcemagonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Capitol-Peak-Jason-Hatfield-1024x683.jpg)
Capitol Peak in all its glory after an autumn snow storm. Photo by Jason Hatfield.
![Mount Sopris Sunrise](http://travel.resourcemagonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Mount_Sopris_Sunrise_Toby_Harriman-1024x640.jpg)
Snow covers Mount Sopris during a dramatic sunrise. Photo by Toby Harriman.
![Casey McCallister Capital Peak Colorado 3](http://travel.resourcemagonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Casey-McCallister-Capital-Peak-Colorado-3-1024x683.jpg)
Fall colors engulf the lands around Capital Peak. Photo by Casey McCallister.
![Fall in Ashcroft](http://travel.resourcemagonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Fall_in_Ashcroft_Toby_Harriman-1024x1492.jpg)
An old barn sits in the snow and fall colors of Ashcroft. Photo by Toby Harriman.
![Fall at Maroon Bells](http://travel.resourcemagonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Fall_at_Maroon_Bells-Toby_Harriman-1024x640.jpg)
The fall colors start to take over the Maroon Bells landscape by Toby Harriman.
![Casey McCallister Capital Peak Colorado 7](http://travel.resourcemagonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Casey-McCallister-Capital-Peak-Colorado-7-1024x683.jpg)
Capital Peak lights up. Photo by Casey McCallister.
![Running above Snowmass Lake](http://travel.resourcemagonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Running-above-Snowmass-Lake-Jason-Hatfield-1024x683.jpg)
The area around Maroon Bells is more than a photography stop. Take the time to hike the endless miles of trails. Photo by Jason Hatfield.
![Aspen Town Fall Winter](http://travel.resourcemagonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Aspen_Town_Fall_Winter_Toby_Harriman-1024x683.jpg)
The view of Aspen from the surrounding hills is incredible anytime of year, but perhaps no time is better than autumn. Photo by Toby Harriman.
![Sopris Colorado Sunset Mark Gvazdinskas](http://travel.resourcemagonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Sopris-Colorado-Sunset-Mark-Gvazdinskas--1024x683.jpg)
Mount Sopris is a great place to watch the sun set over the pristine Colorado landscapes. Photo by Mark Gvazdinskas
![MiddayMammatus Mark Gvazdinskas](http://travel.resourcemagonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/MiddayMammatus-Mark-Gvazdinskas--1024x683.jpg)
Colorado is known for it’s dramatic storms and clouds, and the area around Aspen is always alive. Photo by Mark Gvazdinskas.
![A view overlooking the town of Aspen in the fall.](http://travel.resourcemagonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Aspen-Overlook-Jason-Hatfield-1024x684.jpg)
A view overlooking the town of Aspen in the fall. Photo by Jason Hatfield.
![Pearl-Pass-Milky-Way-Mark-Gvazdinskas-](http://travel.resourcemagonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Pearl-Pass-Milky-Way-Mark-Gvazdinskas--1024x512.jpg)
The Milky Way shines over Pearl Pass. Photo by Mark Gvazdinskas.
![Running behind the Bells](http://travel.resourcemagonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Running-behind-Maroon-Bells-Jason-Hatfield-1024x683.jpg)
Get lost in the hiking trails around Maroon Bells. Photo by Jason Hatfield.
![RIchmond-Rainbow-Mark-Gvazdinskas](http://travel.resourcemagonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/RIchmond-Rainbow-Mark-Gvazdinskas-1024x1535.jpg)
A Rainbow appears after a later afternoon storm on Richmond Ridge. Photo by Mark Gvazdinskas
![Capital Peak 1 Casey McCallister](http://travel.resourcemagonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Capital-Peak-1-Casey-McCallister-1024x732.jpg)
The Milky Way over Capital Peak on a clear summer night. Photo by Casey McCallister.